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JULY 8, 2015
Fourth of July sparkles with patriotism By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Patriotism was on full display at the Independence Day festivities in Lutz. Whether they were part of the parade, or on the sidelines watching, people came wearing red, white and blue — and were ready to celebrate. The nation’s colors showed up everywhere. They were on flags, in hair ribbons, on cowboy boots and emblazoned on the front of semi-trucks. The parade, a community tradition, included the usual suspects. There were Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops, elementary school kids and military veterans, too. The veterans arrived in Jeeps and trucks, on motorcycles and some, riding stylishly, in a motorcade of Corvettes. Adults and kids rode on floats featuring local businesses and area churches and sports teams. Belly dancers jiggled their way down the parade route, while dancers from Dancercise showed off smooth moves and kids from martial arts studios broke boards with their hands and feet. There were even some inflatable characters, including one representing the Civil Air Patrol and the Michelin man, who was there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dumas Tire Pros, a Lutz tire and auto repair shop. “We like to support our community,” said DeWitt Dumas, of Dumas Tire Pros, and the company appreciates the community’s support, he added. Lots of spectators arrived early to get a nice, shady spot. Sam Calco was there early, staking out a spot for his family. “We’ve lived in Lutz since ’87. We’ve made it every year, except for when we were out of town,” said Calco, who found a
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTOS
Jennifer Rankin wins the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na 2015.
choice spot, under an oak, next to the library. Now, with 4-year-old grandson, Leo McCullers, the event is even more fun, Calco said, noting, “He enjoys the beads and the candy and the fire trucks and the police cars.” Karen Lucchese, another Lutz resident, said the parade is a great way to start
lakerlutznews.com
CALL TODAY FIXED TODAY! Boy Scout Troop 12 has been a mainstay at the Lutz Fourth of July parades for decades.
Independence Day. “To me, this is what it’s about. It’s all about hometown America. It’s exactly what you’re supposed to do for the Fourth of July, and it gives you a real sense of community,” said Lucchese, who was at the parade with her husband, Phil, her son, Tyler, his girlfriend, Lexi Neth and some other friends. Little kids and adults lined the parade route, vying to take home some swag. There were beads, of course, but all kinds of candy, too. Some people walking down the parade route were handing out sunscreen and cardboard fans — welcome gifts on a sunny, sweltering day. The parade wasn’t the only attraction. There were amusement games and pony rides for kids, a cake and pie auction. The cake and pie contest drew 28 entries, including a 5-pound apple pie, a cake shaped like a fish and another with the look of the community’s iconic train depot. Wilma Lewis had eight entries in the competition. “I’m thinking she’s wanting one of those blue ribbons,” said Karen D’Amico, who coordinated the competition this year, under the tutelage of Marilyn Wannamaker. Shirley Simmons entered her famous, made-from-scratch pound cake, which fetched $75 in the auction after the parade. Another highlight of the day was the swearing-in of Jennifer Rankin, as the honorary Lutz Guv’na for 2015. It was a moment that Rankin has desired since she was a student at Lutz Elementary See PATRIOTISM, page 11A
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By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Gov. Rick Scott’s veto pen stripped away funds from some projects but spared others, as he cut more than $460 million from the state’s 2015-16 budget. Pasco County lost more than $8 million in anticipated funds for various projects. But some local projects in the $78.6 billion state budget faired especially well. Pasco-Hernando State College will receive $5.5 million for a performing arts center in Wesley Chapel. A shooting range for the police academy, located on the college’s Dade City campus, will receive $1 million for improvements. Another winner is the Land O’ Lakes Community Center which will receive $250,000 for a band shell and stage. “I’m as excited as I can be,” said Sandy Graves, president of Heritage Park Foundation. The nonprofit helps collect donations for improvements to the community center, which dates to the 1960s. “We’ve been wanting it and wanting it. It’d be in our reach, and then it would go away,” Graves said. In December, Graves made a presentation to Pasco’s legislative delegation. The initial estimate of $150,000 for construction costs was deemed too low, and the request was boosted to $250,000. The community center is a long-time gathering place for residents in Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, Graves said. The band shell and stage will enable the community to expand uses there, to include bigger community events and festivals. Scott signed the state’s budget on June
22. It becomes effective July 1. The county’s losses, in budget cuts, included $1.9 million for a storm water project in Dade City; $250,000 for the Senior Elderly Nutrition Kitchen; $1 million for the Metropolitan Ministries’ partially completed transitional housing for the county’s homeless population; and $450,000 for a Zephyrhills’ fire protection water line. It was a mixed bag for Pasco County Schools. The good news is the district will receive $750,000 to continue operating the Tampa Bay Regional Aeronautics Academies partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Tampa International Airport. Currently, there is an aeronautics academy at Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes. But Scott cut $1.5 million sought for a similar program at Zephyrhills High School that would include a capital project for a separate classroom facility. Among reasons Scott gave for eliminating line items from the budget was whether the programs would offer statewide benefits. “I disagree that these programs don’t have a statewide benefit, or return on investment,” Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning said in a news release. “We believe this unique program embraces Governor Scott’s platform to provide more jobs for Floridians, attract more businesses to our state, and prepare students to achieve success in college, career and life.” However, Browning noted that the program would move forward with classroom instruction at Zephyrhills High School.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO
These towers provide a point of interest at Tampa Premium Outlets, a project taking shape on State Road 56, just off Interstate 75.
Details emerging for Tampa Premium Outlets By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County is awash in building permit applications for Tampa Premium Outlets, a project under construction off State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 exchange. The anchor store, Saks Off 5th, is eyeing more than 27,000 square feet for its merchandise, according to county records. Others that have filed initial applications include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Gap, American Eagle Outfitters, Fossil, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Vera Bradley, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren and Papaya. The food court will go eclectic. GreenLeafs & Bananas, Asian Chao, Villa See OUTLETS, page 11A