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LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
JANUARY 21, 2015
Pasco government could shift gears By B.C. Manion
county should shift to a government governed by a charter. Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano A discussion is underway that could lead thinks that’s a horrible idea. to massive changes in Pasco County governAnd, a majority of Pasco County commisment. sioners said they want to know more about State Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ it before making any kind of commitment Lakes, is advocating that Pasco voters be al- on the issue. After hearing from Corcoran lowed the option to vote on whether the and Fasano at their Jan. 13 meeting, they de-
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
cided to hold off on taking any action until getting more information about the implications of a charter government. Corcoran told commissioners that letting voters decide the way the county should be governed gives them greater control. When voters have more control, the fuSee PASCO, page9A
Housing sales likely to improve expert says By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Most of the time when you hear what Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors has to say — it’s during a congressional hearing or on the national news. But last week, Yun made an appearance before real estate professionals gathered for a meeting of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors. He offered plenty of food for thought about the housing market’s condition. “The bottom line is that we have encountered some degree of recovery. I think we will continue the recovery over the next two to three years, and then subsequently, the recovery may well change into expansion,” said Yun, who frequently speaks at conferences for real estate professionals around the country. “Now, you are just trying to get back to the prior principal in terms of prices. It may take an additional two to three years to get to where it had been in 2005-2006,” Yun said. When it comes to home prices, he said, Florida has a key advantage: Its warm winter weather. Through the years, people have moved to Florida from colder climates in northern states. “It sort of came to a halt during the housing market crash. People up North just could not sell their home, or they were somewhat underwater,”Yun said. The market recovery has put them in a better position to move, which is good
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Lawrence Yun is the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors. He’s predicting a continued recovery for two to three years, and then possibly an expansion.
“There’s more people working in the Tampa region, so there’s more potential homebuyers.” –Lawrence Yun news for Florida, he said. “So, you will regain that flow of new residents coming into Florida. Florida has been No 1, consistently, during normal years in attracting new residents,”Yun said. The housing market had generally experienced a two-year recovery in 2012 and 2013, but then stalled in 2014, Yun said. So
people are wondering what will happen next. “A two-year-and-out situation would be highly unusual, if one looks at the past,” Yun said. He considers it an anomaly and predicts that there will be a continued recovery See HOUSING, page9A
Welcome to Dade City, where kumquat is king By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Every year, as marauders take over Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa’s Gasparilla Parade, there’s another invasion of sorts— as thousands stream into downtown Dade City for the city’s annual Kumquat Festival. “It’s a wonderful alternative (to Gasparilla),” said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. The Dade City event — which draws its name from a diminutive, tangy orange fruit — gives visitors a chance to experience a taste of old Florida in a family friendly atmosphere, Moors said. With its free parking, free admission, free entertainment and assorted free activities, people can enjoy the day without having to spend a fortune, Moors said. Of course, Moors said, the chamber would like to see festival-goers do a bit of spending on items sold by vendors, at area restaurants and in merchant’s stores. The event, now in its 18th year, is expected to attract 30,000 to 40,000. Event-goers come from as far north as The Villages, as far south as Sarasota, as far west as the beaches, and as far east as Orlando.
This year there will be 450 vendors, a car show, children’s activities, an enlarged health and wellness section, entertainment and, for the first time, several food trucks. The food trucks are an additional component to the area’s restaurants and food vendors at the festival, Moors said. Local restaurants are always swarmed on festival day, the chamber executive said, adding some restaurant owners have told him they do a week’s worth of business on that single day. Of course, the kumquat is king at this event, and vendors offer it up in myriad This tiny orange fruit has helped called forms. There’s kumquat pie, kumquat salsas, attention to Dade City, a town that boasts a kumquat jam, kumquat jelly, kumquat precharming downtown and an annual festival serves, and even kumquat lotions and soaps. with an old Florida feel. Over the years, the event has helped put Dade City on the map and has helped raise For some, it’s an annual tradition. For oth- the community’s profile. It was heralded by ers, a reunion. And for still others, it’s an the Pasco County Tourism Board as the introduction to the East Pasco city with the Pasco County Event of the Year in 2012 and historic courthouse and quaint shops. has enjoyed the distinction of being named The annual festival started simply. a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism It began when Phyllis Smith, Roxanne Society, which selects premier events in 13 Barthle and Carlene Ellberg were looking Southeastern states. for a way to help inject new life into downOffering the event without charging an town Dade City. admission means that organizers rely on the They decided to have a festival to honor generosity of sponsors, income from vendor the kumquat, and the first event was held fees and support achieved through other on the lawn of the historic Pasco County See KUMQUAT, page9A Courthouse.
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Dade City’s 18th annual Kumquat Festival WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 31 WHERE: Downtown Dade City •From Interstate 75 — east on Highway 52 to downtown Dade City (on Kumquat Festival Day - free satellite parking at the Pasco Fairgrounds on Highway 52 coming into Dade City, free shuttle to the festival) • From U.S. 301 — north or south follow into downtown Dade City (on Kumquat Festival Day - free satellite parking across from Jarrett Ford, free shuttle to the festival) COST: Admission is free, parking is free, entertainment is free, and many activities are free. For more information, call (352) 567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org or KumquatFestival.org.
Kumquat Festival Entertainment Schedule, Historic Courthouse Square 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Saint Leo University SASS (Women’s a capella) 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: First Baptist Church of Dade City (Christian blended music) 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Strawberry Express Cloggers 11 a.m. to noon: Cypress Creek Dixieland Band (Seven-piece New Orleans-style jazz band). Noon to 1 p.m.: Noah Gamer (Alabama male vocalist award in traditional country, in 17 to 20 age group) 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Dean Johnson’s Music &
Friends (Various styles) 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Bailey Coats (Rhythm and blues and jazz) 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Danielle Pacifico (Country) 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: This Train (’50s and ’60s pop and gospel) O’Reilly Auto Parts Annual Kumquat Festival Car Show 8 a.m.: Registration 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Car show Dash plaque and specialty trophies will be awarded. For more information contact Ronnie Setser, (813) 879-1616 or RonnieSetsers.com.