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Super Bowl LV creates big memories
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9 By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were delirious with joy, after the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. Besides emerging victorious, the Bucs made history by becoming the first team in NFL history to play — and win — a Super Bowl game in its home stadium. Both the season and the Super Bowl were altered considerably by the COVID-19
pandemic — which created a scene where 30,000 cardboard cutouts outnumbered the 20,000-plus fans at Raymond James Stadium. The smaller crowd size didn’t diminish the experience in any way for Heather Stegmeier, of Wesley Chapel, one of the 7,500 vaccinated health care workers who received a free ticket to the game. In a pregame interview on CBS with interviewer James Brown, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained why the professional football league provided the free tickets to health care workers. “They’re our heroes,” Goodell said. “Today, the heroes are going to be sitting in
the stands.Those heroes have been working day and night for all of us, and taking risks and showing us courage, and obviously being the incredible professionals they are, to keep us all safe.” Goodell added:“We wanted to give them an opportunity to get away from all that for a day and just celebrate,” he added. Stegmeier’s happy Super Bowl experiences began on Jan. 29 — when she received a surprise videotaped message from Rob Gronkowski, known as Gronk to football fans, personally inviting her to the game. See SUPER BOWL, page 9A
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A win for the Bucs And a win YOU!
COURTESY OF HEATHER STEGMEIER/ADVENTHEALTH
Heather Stegmeier had an awesome time at Super Bowl LV, enjoying the electric atmosphere and feeling special, to have her work as a health care professional honored and appreciated. She was one of 7,500 health care workers who received a free ticket to the game from the NFL.
Survey results show gains, Ashes to go, and but ample room to improve a free cup of Joe By B.C. Manion
By B.C. Manion
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Did you know?
Pasco County received higher marks this year than it did last year in numerous categories in the annual National Community Survey. Even so, substantial improvements are needed, if the county wants to achieve its stated goal of being a premier county. An average of 350 communities participate annually in the National Community Survey, which is a collaborative effort between National Research Center Inc., and the International City/County Management Association. Pasco participated in the survey in 2009 and then again from 2012 through 2020. Last year, the county had an 18% response rate, for a total of 1,600 respondents. The validated survey results show how the county compares to other survey participants, in numerous categories. The rankings can be lower, similar or higher. The county also does a separate online community survey, using the same questions — with the goal of collecting additional data to help inform county decisions.That survey received 2,007 responses in 2020. Marc Bellas, the county’s performance management director, presented the survey results at the Pasco County Commission’s meeting on Jan. 12. The really good news is that “everything, almost across the board, is up from last year. Overall quality of life in Pasco County is up 12% from last year; that’s wonderful,” Bellas said. He added: “If our vision was to be Florida’s good county, we could stop right now, because we’re really doing good work.” But, the county isn’t satisfied with that designation, Bellas said. “The county wants to take what it has now that is good and take it to the next
The Pasco County government: • Has 2,900 employees • Manages 57 lines of business • Serves 550,000 customers • Covers 740 square miles Source: Marc Bellas, Pasco County performance management director
level, which is great. We need to be better than the average,” he said. This year’s results show substantial gains, in numerous categories, which demonstrates the county’s efforts are having an effect, he said. “We have been at work for quite some time in order to create a better community, and it’s showing up and the citizens are seeing that,” Bellas said. Bellas also reminded commissioners there often is lag time between improvements the county has made and improved survey results. He stepped through results in numerous categories. Overall confidence in Pasco County government has improved by 8%, Bellas said. In the area of governance, which he described as the county’s board’s report card, survey respondents gave higher marks for value of services for taxes paid (up 8%), government working in the best interest of the community (up 8%) and honesty (up 13%). “In this survey, double-digit movement is unheard of. That is huge. That is huge,” Bellas said. The county also saw a significant improvement in the category relating to fair treatment of residents.That jumped up by 13%. County Commissioner Mike Moore weighed in on that finding. “People recognize that this county does See SURVEY, page 9A
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pastor Kevin Grills acknowledges that he’s been reluctant for years to offer “ashes to go” on Ash Wednesday. It had a bit too much of a “fast-food feel” for his liking, the spiritual leader said, via email. But in the midst of a pandemic, it’s important to be creative and find new ways to reach people, according to Grills, who leads the First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes. So, this Ash Wednesday, those driving through the church’s driveway will not only receive an imposition of ashes, but also a free cup of Aroma Joe’s coffee. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period leading to Easter. This year, it falls on Feb. 17, and ashes will be distributed at the First Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., that morning. They will be distributed in the church’s driveway, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O Lakes. Those arriving will be directed to one of two pastors — Rev. Grills or Rev. Barry White will impose the ashes and will provide some information about Ash Wednesday, the season of Lent and opportunities to worship. No one will have to get out of their car and everything will be done with safety in mind and social distancing, Grills said. After getting their ashes, visitors can drive to a station where coffee will be made to order by Glenn Cote, the owner of Aroma Joe’s, a community partner with the church. Stopping at the church shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes, from start to finish, Grills said. The church has an uncomplicated motive for offering its hospitality. “This is simply to love our neighbors,” Grills said. The church has wanted to offer coffee to commuters for years, but just hasn’t made that happen. Grills hopes the Ash Wednesday event is just the start of a new “coffee for commuters” outreach effort that occurs on a more regular basis during the year.