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LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
MARCH 30, 2016
Governor slashes budget items By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County had some hits and misses in the 2017 state budget. Gov. Rick Scott signed a statewide budget bill of about $82 billion on March 17. But not before he slashed about $256 million in vetoed items, including $11 million sought for the proposed performing arts center at the Pasco-Hernando State College. However, he spared some Pasco projects including $450,000 for repairs and upkeep at the Baldomero Lopez Memorial Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes and $53,500 for the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. The performing arts center is planned for joint uses between the college and Pasco County Schools. It likely will be built on property near the Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
In two prior years, requests of $10 million each made it through safely.This is the first rejection for a project expected to cost as much as $60 million. “It’s disappointing, but we understand Gov. Rick Scott it’s a complex statewide budget,” said Lucy Miller, spokeswoman for the state college.“There’s always another year we can vie for funds. It’s a fact that we have to look at other options and see what’s out there.” Miller noted, however, that it’s unlikely to be a private donor with deep enough pockets to foot such a large bill. Planning for the project will move forward, she said. The college currently operates a perform-
ing arts center in a 620-seat theater on its West Campus in New Port Richey.The proposed facility would have up to 3,000 seats, and could serve as training ground for college and high school performing arts’ students. It also has potential for conferences, conventions, trade shows and high school graduation ceremonies. A 2013 study by the Urban Land Institute found that Pasco lacks sufficient cultural and arts venues, and should consider using revenues from the Penny for Pasco program to support such projects. Scott also rejected some other Pasco projects. He cut $250,000 to help reopen the Moore Mickens Education Center in Dade City and $75,000 to restore the historical Capt. Harold B. Jeffries’ house in Zephyrhills. See BUDGET, page 11A
These women love to soar By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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Whether they’re supporting young girls through scholarships to Space Camp, or honoring women pilots who served in World War II, there’s an organization of women that supports the joy of flying in all of its forms. The group, which calls itself The NinetyNines Inc., got its start in 1929. It began when some female aviators wanted to have to a long-distance race, said Marilyn Shafer, of Land O’ Lakes, who is a member of the Florida Suncoast Chapter of the group. “It was supposed to start out in California and go over the mountains,” Shafer said. “The men didn’t want the women doing that because it was too dangerous for women to be able to get over mountains safely,” Shafer said. The women decided:“We’re going to do it anyway.” Through the race, the women discovered how fantastic it was to have the support of each other, and they decided to form an organization of female aviators. “They sent out formal letters to every licensed woman pilot in the United States. I want to say there was about 129, and 99 of them replied,” Shafer said. They tossed around some names. In the end, they chose to honor the women who wanted to be part of the new organization. So, they called themselves The Ninety-Nines. Amelia Earhart was the group’s first president. Over time, the group has spread its wings — substantially. It’s now an international organization with about 4,900 members, Shafer said. “Our mission is advancement in aviation, through scholarship, education and sup-
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Marilyn Shafer is enthralled by the joys of flight. The Land O’ Lakes woman belongs to The Ninety-Nines Inc., an organization that supports women and the joy of flying, in all of its forms.
port, while we keep in mind where we started — our history,” Shafer said. The Suncoast chapter includes a wide swath of territory, including Pasco County
and going from Crystal River to Sarasota, from Ocala over to Winter Haven. See SOAR, page 11A
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Hot Rods Country BBQ, a Lutz landmark, closed in 2013, and now a dirt lot is all that remains. The restaurant recently was torn down to make way for a new, unnamed restaurant at Sunset Lane and Livingston Avenue.
New restaurant to take Hot Rods’ spot By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A lawsuit shuttered Hot Rods Country BBQ in 2013. Two weeks ago, the quirky Lutz restaurant, locally famous for ‘swamp bat’ and hot sauces, met the wrecking ball. County records show the property changed hands in December 2015 when Sunset Livingston LLC bought Hot Rods from Champor Corp Inc., for $525,000. Winter Park-based Alton Lightsey is listed as the registered agent for Sunset Livingston; Lutz real estate broker Jerry
Shaw is manager. Plans are to build a new restaurant with an outdoor patio. The as-yet-unnamed restaurant will serve beer and wine, and could have a few barbecue items. Co-owner Jerry Shaw said,“It’s going to be home-cooked, family style food.” The beer and wine license received approval in January. Next comes settling on a restaurant name, drawing up construction plans, and getting the building permits, Shaw said. No ribbon cutting is set, but Shaw hopes to open the restaurant within six months or so.
“It’s a matter of getting the drawings completed and approved,” he said. Hot Rods became legendary in Lutz for its offbeat menu items and rustic décor. It opened in 1998. A lawsuit over debt led to the restaurant’s closure in May 2013. Rod Gaudin started Hot Rods with a barbecue pit, next to a country store he had at Sunset Lane and Livingston Avenue. He later converted a wood-frame house into the restaurant. Customers walked onto the porch and opened the front door with a water-spigot handle. See HOT RODS, page 11A