The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pasco County Sheriff's Office

Audit approved, as Pasco prepares to shift jail operations

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The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $150,000 on a transition audit, as the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office prepares to shift operation of the county’s jail to the county’s administration.

The county will assume financial and administrative responsibility for operating the jail as of Oct. 1.

As it prepares for the conversion, a transition audit will be performed by an external auditor to review assets and liabilities.

The audit was recommended by Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, during the board’s April 5 meeting.

The clerk’s office will negotiate contract terms and sign the contract once the terms are finalized and a vendor is selected, according to backup materials in the county board’s April 19 agenda packet.

When Alvarez-Sowles suggested the transition audit, she told the board: “You want to know, as a county board, what you’re getting with that transfer of a major function for the county.

“It’s important to know what we’re getting, as a county, from the sheriff, from Day One.”

County Administrator Dan Biles also touched on the topic of shifting jail operations to the county’s control.

Biles said there have been several meetings over the last few weeks between the county’s team and the sheriff’s team.

He said he wasn’t ready to provide an update yet, but expected to be able to provide some timelines soon.

Biles said the county attorney has provided a couple of attorneys to work on the issue and that the clerk has been involved in those meetings.

“There’s a lot that’s been happening behind the scenes. HR (Human Resources) has been in the jail several times to talk to all of the existing employees about working for the county and what that means to them.

“We’re working through it, we just don’t have a whole lot to report today,” Biles said.

The clerk thanked the county board for approving the budget amendment to pay for the audit.

“My inspector general is reaching out to various auditing firms to help us with the transition audit,” she said.

The clerk said the audit is intended to “look at what assets they have, to verify those assets and also to do a reconciliation of the assets, as well as any liabilities.”

She told the board she would let them know when a contract has been signed.

Published April 27, 2022

Jail operations shifting from sheriff’s office to Pasco County

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Operation of the Pasco County Jail is shifting from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to Pasco County, but before it does, a transition audit should be performed, according to Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles.

“You want to know, as a county board, what you’re getting with that transfer of a major function for the county,” the clerk said, during the Pasco County Commission’s April 5 meeting.

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles advised the Pasco County Commission to have a transition audit done, as the Pasco Sheriff’s Office hands off overseeing the jail operations to Pasco County. (File)

“It’s important to know what we’re getting, as a county, from the sheriff, from Day One,” she added.

“When you are going to transfer an operation from one government entity to another, it’s very important to do a transition audit,” the clerk said.

That’s important, “so, that on Sept. 30, you know what was with the sheriff, and now, we know Oct. 1, what’s going to be with the county.

“An audit like that would consist of making sure we identify all of the capital assets, all of the accounts, the reconciliation of any accounts that they have, to make sure we know what we’re getting on Day One, with the county,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey asked the clerk if her office could do the audit.

Alvarez-Sowles said it is something that her inspector general is capable of performing, but she’s operating at 50% staff, so can’t take it on.

“We wouldn’t be able to take on an audit this size, but I would like to recommend to the board to allow her to contract with an auditing firm, outside, to come in and help us with that transition,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

“I’d like to have that opportunity to do that (contract for the audit). That would be something county would have to pay for, the services,” she added.

“We have to jump quickly because an audit like this is very extensive. It takes a lot of time.

“Just from when it switched over from my predecessor, Paula O’Neil, to me, it took months, with my inspector general, and that’s all they really focused on, for months.”

Starkey asked how the county should proceed with pursuing the audit.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said: “The clerk should present it (proposal for audit) at a future board meeting.”

In addition to the audit, the clerk said she also needs information about how the shift will affect her operations. She expects it to have financial impacts and she wants to know more before turning in her proposed budget, which is due May 1.

Noting that she had just learned about the jail shift during the prior week, she told commissioners she might need some additional time to prepare her budget.

She said she needs to find out more about the impacts from County Administrator Dan Biles and from Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco.

“My office is going to have probably significant operational impact, with that coming over,” she said. “It’s going to be a significant impact to my finance department, finding and understanding all of their accounts and their credit cards, and reporting for grants and capital assets. And, do they have any capital projects that are outside of the General Obligation bond? And, there’s so much more, just off the top of my head.”

It also will have an impact on IT.

It also will have an impact on the courts, both criminal and civil, she said.

“I want to make sure that we identify what role is the sheriff keeping, what role is going to be coming to the county, as it relates to that,” she added.

“There’s also some local administrative orders that we need to look at, as it impacts the role. I don’t know if it would still be with the sheriff, or if it goes to the corrections, for some of the things there,” she said.

She told the county board that she would like to attend the county’s budget workshop that is set for May 24, “so we have some good conversations around this.”

Published April 13, 2022

Some basics, to protect yourself from scams

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It seems like every time you turn around, someone you know is being scammed, or being targeted as a potential victim.

Here’s a list, compiled by The Better Business Bureau, to help you to avoid being scammed:

  • When someone you have not met asks you to send them money, especially by wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card, don’t do it.
  • Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. That’s how crooks put malware on your devices.
  • Don’t trust the legitimacy of something by its looks. Emails and websites are easy to fake with copied logos and graphics.
  • Don’t trust your Caller ID. It can be faked to read any way a crook wants it to read.
  • Buy online only from legitimate sources with a website address that has the “s” in “https.” Look for the lock icon in the address bar as well.
  • Look up any company you’re unfamiliar with at BBB.org.
  • Treat your personal identification information like gold. Don’t give it away to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Your banking, Social Security and insurance numbers should be closely guarded.
  • Anyone pressuring you to act quickly could be a scammer who doesn’t want you to have time to seriously consider the “offer.”
  • Get details in writing and read them thoroughly.
  • Don’t overshare on social media. Con artists can collect your information from such sources and use it to make you think they know you.
  • Keep your travel plans to yourself and only share them after the fact.
  • Shred junk mail, old documents, bills and medical paperwork.
  • Monitor your accounts and check out any unknown transaction, even for tiny amounts (crooks start with small amounts to see if you pay attention).
  • Use strong passwords and keep software and virus protections updated constantly.

Check out the Better Business Bureau’s articles on phishing scams, tech support scams and Social Security scams.

Scammers never quit, but they can be thwarted by staying on top of the latest tips and news from organizations that monitor them, such as the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission.

Go to BBB.org, to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint, or write a customer review. Visit the BBB Scam Tracker, to research and report scams.

Avoid ransom scams
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office shares this tip to help people avoid becoming victim of an economic scam that is known as a ransom scam.

In this crime, the scammer will call the victim and claim to be holding a member of the victim’s family captive.

The scammer instructs the victim to transfer ransom money into the scammer’s bank account or the victim’s family member will be harmed.

The scammers use tactics to convince the victim their loved one is a hostage, such as using screams and cries in the call.

In its posting, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office advises those who receive such a call should hang up the phone and then call your relative to verify his or her safety.

Published April 06, 2022

This maintenance man went beyond the call of duty

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Raymond Wright began his career with Pasco County in the Road & Bridge department and ended it 28 years later, as a maintenance technician IV.

In between, he routinely went beyond his basic duties, to work longer hours and help others wherever needed, according to a resolution adopted by the Pasco County Commission on Feb. 8.

A crowd of supporters joined Raymond Wright, when he was recently honored for his 28 years of service on Pasco County’s staff. He was known for going beyond the call of duty and for being a great friend to his colleagues. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

On one occasion, he was even called to help extricate a child whose hand was stuck in a pool skimmer — an incident that could have led to a terrible injury, or even worse, Commissioner Ron Oakley said, at the county board’s meeting.

The incident happened in 2018, according to the resolution.

A young boy in the Dade City area was playing around the family’s pool and the child’s hand got stuck in the pool’s skimmer.

“The child’s arm was sucked in, up to the elbow, and became lodged in the skimmer and was unable to be pulled out. The child’s parents called 911 and Fire Rescue was there within minutes,” the resolution says.

After they arrived, they determined they needed additional help and equipment.

“They placed a call to the Dade City Facilities Management office, and without hesitation, Raymond grabbed a jackhammer and headed to their location.

“Raymond arrived and instantly knew what needed to be done. Raymond began to strategically use the jackhammer to remove the concrete decking around the skimmer, while Fire Rescue kept the child calm. Together they were able to safely release the child’s hand and arm,” the resolution says.

It also notes that throughout his career, Wright proved himself “to be an invaluable asset to those he served daily, whether it be coworkers or citizens.

“His outstanding work ethic and positive attitude has earned him respect from all county departments, including Fire Rescue and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.”

The resolution also notes that Wright “worked diligently on many of the county’s buildings and structures” to keep everyone safe and healthy in their workplaces.

He also used “his proficiency in many trades” to handle jobs, the resolution added.

“His dedicated service did not stop after his shift, as Raymond also worked late nights and sometimes into the early morning hours while being on call,” the resolution says.

He was known for his dedication and the pride he took in his work, but also for “being a great friend” to his colleagues.

Wright officially retired on Nov. 30.

Oakley asked him if he’d like to say anything and Wright offered a brief response: “No,” then added, “Thank you.”

Wright may not have had much to say, but he must have left quite an impression.

When the clerk’s representative finished reading the resolution, the audience broke out in applause.

A mob of supporters also swarmed in — to share the moment with him —  joining to have a ceremonial photo taken with Wright and the county board.

Published February 23, 2022

Pasco continues taking aim at unlicensed contractors

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The Pasco County Commission is continuing efforts to stymie unlicensed contracting activity in the county, through an agreement with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for investigative services.

The county board approved renewal of an agreement with the Sheriff’s Office pertaining to the county’s Unlicensed Contractor Initiative for its building construction services department.

The county board approved a contract for an amount not to exceed $202,548.72 with the sheriff’s office, resulting in an amount not to exceed $549,856.10 for the two-year contract term, based on the board’s agenda backup materials.

The approval was made as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning it was passed as one of several items without discussion.

The contract calls for the services of two detective to investigate unlicensed contractor activity. The agreement also allows for four additional automatic one-year renewals on Oct. 1 of each subsequent year, contingent upon board approval.

The aim of the detectives’ work is to “protect the public from falling victim to unlicensed contractors,” according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

In other action, the board:

  • Authorized the transmittal of a request for a proposed land use change on 188 acres at the northwest quadrant of State Road 52 and Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, for review by state agencies. The request calls for allowing up to 380 single-family homes and townhomes.
  • Adopted a change to the county’s comprehensive plan relating to airport protection zoning and land use compatibility.
  • Accepted the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 2020-2023 Collective

Bargaining Agreement – IAFF Local 4420, Pasco County Professional Fire Fighter’s Union

  • Approved the purchase of playground equipment at the Sam Pasco Recreation Center playground by utilizing the OMNIA Partners Cooperative Contract No. R170301 with BCI Burke Company LLC (BCI), which is currently in effect. The purchase is not to exceed the amount of $137,457.53 in fiscal year 2022.
  • Approved a change order to extend time and provide $60,000 in additional funding for Starkey Ranch District Park Phase 2A, resulting in a new cumulative NTE contract amount of $4,054,628.37 for fiscal year 2022 and an extension of time by 30 days.
  • Approved $300,000 for the county’s Destination Management Organization, for additional marketing and research initiatives. The DMO’s revenues came in higher than anticipated in 2021 and these funds will allow it to provide more services to Pasco County during fiscal year 2022.

Published January 19, 2022

Warning to motorists: Watch out for loose cows

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Dr. Octavio Blanco has what may seem to sound like an unusual request.

He’s urging motorists who are traveling on State Road 54 — in the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes area — and along the Suncoast Parkway in that general area, to keep an eye out for loose cows.

Blanco is concerned that criminal activities on his property, 16543 State Road 54, in Lutz, could put drivers at risk.

His 100-acre property has been the target of thieves.

Stealing his things is one thing, Blanco said, but the criminals also are making it possible for his cows to get out — which could pose a hazard to unsuspecting passing motorists.

He’s got a herd of about 40 beef cows.

Blanco thinks it’s highly likely that if these crimes continue to happen, his cows will get loose and wander onto State Road 54 or the Suncoast Parkway.

And, if that occurs at night, it could prove deadly, Blanco said.

It’s not an imaginary fear, said Blanco, who recalls when he was a child he saw the aftermath of an accident when a Volkswagen ran into a cow and the people inside of the car were killed.

Blanco has alerted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office about his concerns.

Amanda Hunter, public information manager for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, said, via email, that the law enforcement agency is continuing to investigate these cases.

It posted this information on the agency’s Facebook page on Sept. 21:

“Help Us Solve a Crime: On two separate days within the past two months, a suspect forced their way into a home and barn in the Land O’ Lakes area off SR 54 and stole the victim’s property.

“The pictured white male was seen leaving the victim’s property the day of first burglary and may have left with the dark colored minivan. The second burglary involved the black Ford truck with attached trailer. The male has a mullet hairstyle and a tattoo on left side of his chest.

“If you have any information on this case, or know the identity of the suspect, submit a tip to the Pasco Sheriff’s Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 and refer to case number 21027615 or 21033171. Please do not submit tips on social media.

On Oct. 13, it re-posted the original post, along with this additional information:

“PSO (Pasco Sheriff’s Office) detectives continue to investigate these incidents in the SR 54 area of Land O’ Lakes. This suspect also cut the victim’s fence which was holding in cattle. This crime is a felony under Florida statute. Livestock that escape can wander onto roadways and potentially cause crashes and endanger citizens.”

In her email to The Laker/Lutz News, Hunter also noted that the sheriff’s office has “spoken with the victim for these cases at length numerous times to address his concerns.

“The agency’s agricultural unit and its property crimes unit also has been in touch with him,” she said. They are working with him to install cameras to help solve the crimes, Hunter added.

While he would like to put an end to the burglaries, Blanco said his primary concern is to alert the public, to help avert a potential tragedy.

Published November 03, 2021

Hooters donates wings

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Representatives from several Hooters Management Corporation restaurants delivered wings to first responders in the Tampa Bay area in honor of First Responders Day on Oct. 28. Hooters Girls visited fire stations in numerous locations, including Pasco County and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, to demonstrate their gratitude for the work that first responders do to keep the community safe, according to a news release.

Efforts continue to bolster safety in Pasco’s school district

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Efforts to improve the safety and security of Pasco County Schools is an ongoing effort, as the school district works to reduce potential threats throughout the system.

The Pasco School Board recently approved a safety plan that must be submitted to state offices by Nov. 1, outlining steps the district is pursuing to make its campuses safer.

The board approved the plan on Oct. 19, following a closed-door session on school safety. The session was private because of a need for confidentiality relating to security issues.

Entry buzzers have been installed at schools across Pasco County. Visitors push the doorbell and are buzzed in, individually. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, gave a brief overview of the security plan during the board’s meeting.

District has a strong relationship with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the municipal police agencies, Baumaister said. “We work very closely together.”

The district is always looking to improve its safety, but, he added: “I think we’re on the right track.”

“Ever since Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a lot of changes have been made to the school system,” he said, referring to the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a community in South Florida.

The public outcry, including persistent student protests, prompted state legislators to mandate safety upgrades on school campuses across Florida. The annual safety plan that must be submitted to the state is one of the requirements of the state legislation.

During the recent board meeting, Baumaister said: “As we move forward, we’re going to start looking strategically at some of our older schools that we may have to add additional things to, to enhance our safety posture.

“We use our best practices. Our security assessments that are done by law enforcement. The assessments that are also done by the school principals. We look at all improvements that are out there — new technologies, and we roll that all up with what we want to move forward with in our planning for the future,” he said.

The district also is continuing to work on various projects.

“As large as a district as we are, things take time, and we are moving along pretty well,” he said.

The district uses a work-order system to make minor repairs at schools, Baumaister said.

He explained: “These are the small projects. You can send a technician out; fix a fence. Repair a camera, things like that.”

The district also continues to add security cameras to schools.

“By the end of next year, we should have cameras in every one of our campuses,” he said.

He noted: “They’re not in the classrooms, they’re in the hallways. So, it just gives us a posture so we can keep eyes on what’s going on.

“If there’s ever an emergency, with our agreement with the sheriff’s office, they can then look in to see what’s going on at that moment, to see what may be happening.

“We took all of these lessons from Marjory Stoneman Douglas and what went on there, and try to learn from it and make improvements in our district, so we never experience anything like that here.”

He also noted that the district is using window security film, to harden the exterior of its schools. The goal is to make it hard for intruders to penetrate.

“If somebody is trying to break a window, they probably don’t have good intentions,” he said.

The security film helps keeps students and staff safe, he said. Also, “it gives time for law enforcement, and for the security guardians and for the SROs (School Resource Officers) to take action and get to the area” where there are attempts being made to penetrate the building.

“Our emergency radio communications, we’re always looking to improve them. We study them. We look for better ways to do it,” he said.

He also noted that the district has completed its project to add a doorbell system for all of its schools.

The doorbell gives school staff the ability to find out who is visiting and why, before allowing access.

Baumaister also emphasized the need to have a plan and to make sure that school staff understands it.

“This way, if something is ever to occur, they already have a plan of action in place.

“We do plan on testing our plans.

“We’re going to do small exercises with the schools, to talk about our plans and make sure that that’s fresh in their minds, and that they are always constantly keeping them updated and keeping them current,” he said.

Published October 27, 2021

Public service campaign targets human trafficking

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Law enforcement agencies and the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking have teamed up to launch a public awareness campaign to target human trafficking.

Three public service announcement videos highlight aspects of the problem.

One video focuses on traffickers; another, on sex buyers; and the third, on human trafficking victims.

The five law enforcement agencies in Pasco County — the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments in Zephyrhills, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City — all joined in on the effort.

The videos feature Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer, New Port Richey Police Chief Kim Bogart, Port Richey Police Chief Cyrus Robinson and Dade City Police Chief James Walters.

The videos were set to be released on all participating agencies’ social media platforms on Oct. 7.

These PSAs highlight Pasco County law enforcement’s unified front in combating human trafficking,” Liana Dean, chair of the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, said in a release.

“This crime will not be tolerated in Pasco, and if you’re trafficking or buying sex, law enforcement will track you down,” Dean said.

The PSAs also address human trafficking victims and survivors directly – assuring them that law enforcement cares about them and letting them know help and resources are available.

“The commission is honored to continue to work with our law enforcement partners on this project, and we are extremely grateful for its help and support,” Dean said.

To report human trafficking or to ask for help, call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Here are the links to the PSAs on YouTube.

Published October 13, 2021

Pine View Middle’s SRO wins top state honors

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Corporal Elissa Elders, from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, said she was shocked upon learning she had been selected the 2021 School Resource Officer of the Year from a pool of 900 officers in the state of Florida.

Elissa Elders, Florida’s School Resource Officer of the Year is shown here with Edward Upthegrove, program administrator for the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute. The FCPTI is part of the Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs in the Office of the Attorney General. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

“Out of all those people, I’m the one who is selected?’’ Elders said. “I’m just doing my job, but so are all the amazing people I work with. I am honored and I am humbled. Next to marrying my husband, it’s the biggest honor in my life.

“But I still can’t get over it. Me? Why me?’’

When examining Elders’ eight-year body of work at Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes and hearing from the students, administrators and parents, another question quickly emerges.

Why did it take so long for Elders to be recognized?

Cpl. Elissa Elders, who serves at Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes, is the 2021 School Resource Officer of the Year for Florida. She received the distinction during the opening of the annual convention for the Florida Association of School Resource Officers. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

“She really cares about the kids,’’ Pine View principal Jennifer Warren said. “She’s extremely relatable and they feel very comfortable in receiving her messages. She’s a huge part of our school and we’re all very excited to see this type of recognition.’’

Elders doesn’t seek recognition, though. Her rewards are seeing kids learn and develop.

“This isn’t a job, it’s her calling,’’ said retired law enforcement officer Bill Elders, Elissa’s husband of 14 years. “Whether something turns out to be frustrating or a great success, she has a tremendous way of separating the two, always keeping it in perspective, and never letting it take away from her purpose of helping the kids.

“I’ve listened to her cry when she sees kids hurting. I’ve listened to her laugh when they do outstanding things. She gets excited. She empathizes. She doesn’t punch a clock. It never stops. This is her life and her heart is completely in it.’’

Elders, who enlisted in the Army before a medical discharge, originally thought she wanted to become an arson investigator with the fire department. But after attending the police academy, she found her niche as Pine View’s SRO.

“My principal (Warren) is such a proactive person and she always encourages me to grow and train,’’ Elders said. “I appreciate working with such a strong leader, who has helped me process things and mature as a deputy.

“I wear many hats. I’m your friend, your counselor, your teacher, your go-to for advice. If you need something sewn for an outfit or a class project, I can do that. I’m here to help and I work for them, which makes them my boss. Whatever they need, I’m here. I want to take care of any needs or worries, so the families can concentrate on raising a good productive member of society.’’

School Resource Officer Cpl. Elissa Elders played the role of Keystone Cop in Pine View Middle’s production of ‘Annie.’ That’s just one example of how she gets involved with kids. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

Elders’ biggest tool: Creativity
During the school’s “Pink Out Against Bullying,’’ she wore a large pink bow in her hair and pink socks.

She’s known to pop into classrooms and actively participate.

She had a role in the school’s production of “Annie Junior,’’ playing a Keystone Cop (of course). But nothing was handed to her. Elders auditioned for the role like any student.

On St. Patrick’s Day, she makes a pot of gold with prizes. At Christmas, she uses clues for a “Corporal Elders on a Shelf’’ contest with large candy bars going to the winners.

Playing the role of a seahorse, in ‘The Little Mermaid,’ Cpl. Elissa Elders demonstrates her willingness to do what it takes to connect with kids. (Courtesy of Pine View Middle School)

She has a “Walking Dead Fan Club,’’ so students and parents can converse and argue about the popular television series, while using that common interest to promote fellowship and togetherness. She also has started other clubs, such as Girls on the Run and the Craft Club.

She likes to poke fun at herself. At a dance class, she displayed some cop-themed exercises, such as running after freshly baked donuts. She carries a donut-shaped water bottle in the car line. She has passed out donuts to reward students who wear their seat belts.

“Cops and donuts — classic joke, right?’’ Elders said with a laugh.

All of Elders’ out-of-the-box ideas have the same goal.

“We do have days at school where kids make poor choices,’’ Elders said. “But I want to be as involved as I can be, whether it’s doing a play, being at a basketball game, helping in the classroom, anything to share what I can and have a positive impact on students.

“When you are involved in their lives, when you can show them the right way to do it, they will be less likely to do something wrong that could result in criminal charges.’’

There are tangible signs of Elders’ state award, such as the designation on her parking spot at Pine View Middle School (“Florida SRO of the Year Parking Only’’).

Sometimes, though, Elders doesn’t see the complete results until years later. But that’s when she realizes the full impact.

“I have seen it where she runs into a former student at a restaurant or a ballgame and they are so appreciative over something she once said or did for them,’’ Bill Elders said. “She puts her heart and soul into helping kids and it’s rewarding to see them on a good road in their lives.’’

She appreciates the community’s support.

“I have gotten so many notes and messages from people congratulating me,’’ Elders said. “Some of them don’t even have a kid at our school. They are saying how proud they are. It means a lot. These kinds of well wishes really show that people are aware and how much they care about the kids, too. That’s really the mission, getting kids on the right road.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published September 29, 2021