By B.C. Manion
When it comes to political races, this one is much friendlier than most.
While the rhetoric heats up at the national level, the candidates for the 2012 Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes have mutual respect for each other and share essentially the same goals.
Debbie Hawley and Rene Van Hout are taking part in a tradition that combines fun and raising funds.
Both women speak highly of each other.
Both of them want the community to have fun, while helping them to raise money for their favorite charities and for the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.
They also want to help raise the chamber’s profile, they said.
These are not your typical opponents.
“We go to each other’s events,” Van Hout said.
“That’s because it’s not political,” Hawley said.
The honorary mayoral competition dates back for decades, said Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. She’s not sure of precisely when the contest began, but she believes its roots go back to the 1960s or even earlier.
The contest is a big fundraiser for the chamber. Ninety percent of what each candidate raises goes to the chamber and the other 10 percent goes to the charity or charities they designate.
The winner of this year’s competition will be announced at the chamber’s holiday party, which is being held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Plantation Palms Golf Club.
The candidates use a variety of fundraising techniques including everything from a barbecue to a wine tasting, a jewelry party to an open mic night, a bunco game to chance drawings.
The candidates do all of this and more to generate a buzz for their cause.
Earlier this month, Hawley had a family barbecue and ski show at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que in Land O’ Lakes.
The event included water skiing demonstrations, live entertainment, a silent auction and a dunk tank featuring Robin Hawley, the mayoral candidate’s husband.
“I got to throw the first ball,” the candidate said, adding that her husband wound up in the tank a lot. Both Debbie and Robin are dentists with Hawley & Hawley Dental Associates.
Hawley has identified Pediatric Cancer Foundation as her charity.
Van Hout, who is raising money for Oasis Pregnancy Care Center and the Heritage Park Foundation, said the idea is for people to have fun.
Along those lines, she doesn’t even refer to herself as a candidate.
“I call myself the ‘Wanna-Be,’” said Van Hout of LOL Transport & Moving.
She even had a sash proclaiming that status — made by Edna Dunston of Sophisticated Tailoring for Women.
The honorary mayor’s duties include attending ribbon cuttings, grand openings and special events.
Van Hout said she already does those things.
She’s even created a tradition of using the ribbon from ribbon cuttings to make a sash, which is signed by those attending. That gives the ribbon special meaning, she said. It’s not just a piece of fabric.
Upcoming fundraisers
Rene Van Hout
— Tuesday, Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m.: Meet and greet and also 7-9 p.m., open mic night: Organic Life Coffeehouse and Bakery, 1900 Oak Grove Blvd., Lutz.
–Monday, Oct. 24, 4-8 p.m.: Eat in or take out dinner at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, 3116 US 41, Land O’ Lakes.
— Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7-9 p.m.: Bunco Fun Night, Organic Life Coffeehouse and Bakery, 1900 Oak Grove Blvd., Lutz. Cost $10 at the door.
— Monday, Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m.: Wilderness Beef O’ Brady’s Fun Night, Wilderness Lakes Plaza, 7040 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Entertainment by Culprit and members of the Land O’ Lakes High Gator Band. Silent auction. Chinese auction. Sell your scrap gold.
Debbie Hawley
— Upcoming events are in the planning stages. Please check Hawley & Hawley Dental Associates’ Facebook page to find out more.
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