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Burgess won’t defend Duke Energy By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
A state regulatory agency ordered the company to refund $54 million to customers last week, yet many Duke Energy customers remain unhappy about being charged for $3.2 billion in failed nuclear power plant projects. And one candidate for the Florida House is feeling the heat. Danny Burgess, the former Zephyrhills mayor looking to replace Will Weatherford in Tallahassee, had to answer some tough questions from a crowd during a forum at Lexington Oaks last week about accepting a campaign contribution from Duke, and how that might affect his stance on what the nation’s largest utility is charging Florida residents.
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
Danny Burgess, left, and Beverly Ledbetter are campaigning to replace Will Weatherford in state House District 38. Both shared their views at a recent forum hosted by Lexington Oaks.
“The answer is very simple: nobody can buy my vote,” Burgess said.“I have been very fortunate to receive a lot of local support, and I have to be able to lay down my head at night. When I make a decision, it’s for every single person in this room.” Burgess, like other Legislature candidates from both parties, accepted a $1,000 contribution from Duke on July 25. He also received indirect support from Duke through a $2,000 contribution from the Republican Party of Florida, according to state campaign finance records, an organization that has received $100,000 from Duke this year, as well as in-kind donations of $32,250. Duke customers pay a $3.45 surcharge on their bills each month to help fund the See BURGESS, page 11A
Doing spiritual work, using talent, and a pair of shears By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Mayra Santiago has devoted more than half her lifetime styling people’s hair to help them look good. Normally, she uses her expertise to tend to customers at Ulta Beauty, a products retailer with salon services in The Grove at Wesley Chapel. But over the summer, Santiago joined a group from Vida Community Church on a mission trip to Colombia to cut hair for people living in a rural village there. “I never, never, never in my life expected to cut hair in the Amazon,” the 43-year-old said. Vida is a bilingual church temporarily based in Land O’ Lakes, with members primarily joining it from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. Pastors Dwight and Lizania Miranda lead the church, which has a heart for missions. Vida aims to help people meet their needs, both here and in other countries, said Mayra and her husband, Eddie, who have belonged to the church for seven years. When she heard there was a need for someone who could cut hair, Santiago felt compelled to go. She was pleased to put her talents to use for others because she loves being a hairstylist. “It’s my passion,” she said. Joining the mission trip, she said, was a blessing. The experience didn’t just help others, it helped her, too. “I appreciate everything better now,” Santiago said. She now has a deeper understanding of
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAYRA SANTIAGO
Mayra Santiago poses with a young child during the Wesley Chapel woman’s trip to the Amazon. The hairstylist went with her church on a mission trip because she heard there was a need for someone who could cut hair.
just how fortunate she and others are for the everyday comforts and conveniences that most residents of the United States take for granted, she said. Santiago traveled to Colombia on July 16, and returned July 28. The 18-member church group flew to Bogota, then caught a
connecting flight to Leticia. From there, they rode on a boat — which broke down during their trip — to arrive near the remote village where they stayed. Once the boat landed, Santiago’s group See SHEARS, page 11A
SAME GREAT SERVICE
Estabrook’s knack for collaboration receives honor By B.C. Manion
pal of Rushe Middle School, too. It was truly significant serving in a school that was named after As an educator, Dave Estabrook someone who was just an outwas known for his ability to look at standing leader — Chuck Rushe issues from various vantage points — and a friend of mine, as well.” and collaborate with others to solve Opening and managing a problems and help people thrive. school presents many kinds of On Oct. 2, his contributions to edchallenges, Estabrook noted. ucation and to the Land O’ Lakes “We worked through them community were honored at a cereand worked collaboratively, and mony to dedicate the first phase of made this a great school. And it the David R. Estabrook Center for continues to be a great school Collaboration at Charles S. Rushe under Principal Salerno’s leaderMiddle School on Mentmore ship,” he said. “Collaboration, to Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes. me, is not exclusive to just adults. Rushe principal David Salerno, It should be incorporated into who followed in Estabrook’s footthe teaching and learning steps at two points in his career, process.” Salerno said it is fitting that described Estabrook’s leadership COURTESY OF PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS Rushe’s media center be renamed style. in Estabrook’s honor because the “Immediately, I observed a leader Dave Estabrook, an educator for 35 years, is honored for his who made it his mission to seek many contributions to Pasco County Schools and the Land O’ retired educator was a master at collaboration. input from many stakeholders — as Lakes community. In keeping with his desire to many stakeholders as possible — when making decisions,” he said.“Not only The ceremony to honor Estabrook was help others to grow and thrive, Estabrook that, he specifically sought out people that carried over the school’s closed-circuit tele- and his family donated $19,000 to help crehe thought may have a different point of vision. Superintendent Kurt Browning, ate the center for collaboration that now view. He believed in the importance of con- Assistant Superintendent Ray Gadd and bears his name. The Pasco Education sidering all aspects of problems before Chief Financial Officer Olga Swinson were Foundation matched that gift. Helping students collaborate with each recommending a solution.” there. So was school board member Joanne other is precisely what the new center aims Estabrook hired Salerno to be an assis- Hurley. tant principal at Pine View Middle School Estabrook’s wife Lori, his daughter and to do, Salerno said. “About a year ago, we decided we wantafter Estabrook moved up to become the son-in-law Mallory and Chris Mullis, and school’s principal. Salerno would later fol- Lori’s daughter and son Amy Harris and ed to do something with collaboration and technology,” he said. “We received input low Estabrook as principal of Rushe. Geoff Hartwig, were there, too. “I learned from him that the best way to The ceremony marked the dedication of from teachers, students and parents, and the effectively collaborate, to bring about a the David R. Estabrook Center for overwhelming consensus is that we wanted to make sure that we increased technology meaningful change, is to build strong rela- Collaboration. tionships centered on both “This is quite an honor,” Estabrook said. See ESTABROOK, page 11A communications and trust,” Salerno said. “It was quite an honor to be the first princibcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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