Lutz News-Lutz/Odessa-July 15, 2020

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Budget takes hit from COVID-19

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Florida’s final $92.2 billion budget reflects a billion dollars in projects and programs vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The governor blamed the economic impacts of COVID-19 for forcing the budget cuts — which included numerous initiatives in Pasco County. “As the budget was coming due, we started to see the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has changed the trajectory of the nation’s economy and

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obviously the economy here in Florida.And has, of course, affected the budget balances,” DeSantis explained in a televised news conference when he signed the budget on June 29. “As we were looking at the budget, my goal was to try to safeguard the historic achievements that we were able to do, while also realizing historic savings, so that we could put Florida on a more solid fiscal foundation,” the governor said. The budget “provides significant support for education, the environment, infrastructure, child welfare and more,” he said.

He also noted that, in light of Florida’s population growth, per capita spending has declined, as compared to the previous year’s budget. “Everyone understands that circumstances have changed,” DeSantis said. Still, he added,“I don’t think we necessarily forecast the economy simply stopping for a time.” The budget puts a high priority on teacher salaries. “We wanted to take Florida from the bottom half of the country in average minimum See BUDGET, page 9A

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Getting a glimpse of the farming life

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Three generations of Meltons have worked together to build a life around farming, ranching and family time on 1,500 acres in northeast Pasco County. Steve Melton, who has spent his life working the land, is retired now — and enjoys spending his time reciting poetry and doing heritage arts, such as making brooms and grinding sugar cane to make sugar cane syrup. He provides a closer look at the operations on page 1B.

Hillsborough public schools will require masks

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The LAKER WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION

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FEBRUARY 3, 2016

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Auto Accident? Slip and Fall?

By Kathy Steele

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The site is located at the corner of of heading toward a construction start Magnolia Boulevard and Wesley Chapel Amici Plaza in spring with an opening likely Boulevard, which is also known as County ksteele@lakerlutznews.com by the end of 2016. Road 54. Pasco County records show a conceptual Pasco County is moving forward with acOwners of Amici Pizza & Deli are planthe plan with about 3,000 square feet for Road ning to build a new stand-alone restaurant, for quisition of right-of-way along County restaurant, and about 1,800 square feet 54 to prepare for the expansion of the twowith additional retail space, on Wesley retail. the lane road into a four-lane road at Chapel Boulevard. “We’d like to have our own building and 54 junction of State Road 56 and State Road The new restaurant is a short distance a bigger kitchen,” said Andrea Mannino. from the existing Amici restaurant in Grand No decisions have been made on the adSee PIZZA, page 13A Oaks Square, at Wesley Chapel and Pet Lane. ditional retail space, he said. Andrea and Josephine Mannino, are

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JANUARY 27, 2016

Pasco administrator to retire in

By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker expects to be very busy over the next year and a half. She’ll be crossing off a to-do list, one by one, before leaving in 2017 to go on a lengthy road trip with her husband. The couple will hit the road with their recreational vehicle and their motorcycles, on a tour of as many baseball parks and national parks as they can squeeze into a year. “That’s been our dream,” Baker said, so letting her contract lapse in July 2017 makes sense. But, don’t expect a lame duck administrator. “There’s no kicking back here,” Baker said.“This isn’t me slowing down. ” Baker has told Pasco County commissioners she won’t seek renewal of her current two-year contract, which makes her

2017

last day July 9, 2017. the jail and construction of new fire stations By then, Baker will • Relocating have worked 35 years central Pasco more government offices to in public service, 24 Baker also plans to fill vacancies for a of those years with few key leadership positions that remain, Pasco County. cluding an assistant county administrator infor Her to-do list, in public safety and administration. short form, includes: Progress has been made, Baker said, but • Completing mas- government services still could be more ter plans and updates customer-friendly. for storm water, solid A culture that was decades in the waste and tourism making is being changed, she said.“You don’t • Funding and building a diverging get to dia- turn a canoe.You’re turning mond road design to ease traffic congestion a ship.” Public service wasn’t Baker’s first at State Road 56 and Interstate 75 career choice. • Completing the State Road 56 extenOver the years she worked sion as a waitress, • Nurturing SunWest Park, the county’s flight attendant and a theater manager. She also served in the U.S.Air Force Reserve. fledgling aqua park Her undergraduate degree was in • Replacing and repairing aging busiinfra- ness administration. structure and roads damaged by the It wasn’t until she accepted a secretarial summer flooding • Making progress on the expansion of See RETIRE, page 11A

Kumquats reign supreme at area festival

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Saturday, January 30, 2016 9 AM - 5 PM Historic Downtown Dade City

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Mark Pizzurro, Joe Traina and Peter Abreut

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The first kumquat tree in St. Joseph took root more than 100 years ago, when C.J. Nathe planted it in his backyard. He added a few more, and soon he had small grove on an acre of fertile ground. a The kumquat king, as Nathe was later dubbed, transformed a quiet back road community into the Kumquat Capital of the World. An open house will take place on Jan. and Jan. 29 at the Kumquat Growers 28 packi h d

Margie Neuhofer and her h

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there was no question about the road ahead for Vizzari. A specialized facility or nursing home was available, but the sons wouldn’t hear of that.Their dad was coming home. To make that work, they have done anything needed to assist, lightening the load on Vizzari’s wife, Lonna, and drawing the family even closer. Tony (a retired firefighter), Mike (an active fire captain) and Tim (who operates the family’s landscaping business) are juggling their work and family obligations to help care for their dad, 73. Everyone lives close in the Lutz area.They are in constant commu-

Hillsborough County Public Schools will require face coverings when school resumes,Aug. 10. Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis made the announcement on July 7. In a video posted the same day on the district’s website, Davis elaborated on his decision. Each staff member will receive three reusable masks when they return for preplanning and each student will receive three reusable masks on Day 1 of the new school year. “I spent the last few days speaking with medical professionals from the University of South Florida, Tampa General Hospitals, teachers, school administrators, business leaders and local department of health to help guide our decisions around protocols that affect the safety of our entire district. “We all can agree that the safety and health of our students, teachers, staff and this community are paramount to the reopening of our schools,” he said. “The CDC has identified face coverings as one of the most effective tools in stopping the spread of COVID-19, along with social distancing, handwashing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces,” he said.

See VIZZARI, page 9A

See MASKS, page 9A

COURTESY OF LONNA VIZZARI

The Vizzari sons, from left: Tim, Michael and Tony, gather around their dad, Vince, who suffered a massive stroke in 2018. The brothers have juggled other obligations, to rally around their dad.

Caring for dad comes naturally for Vizzari sons By Joey Johnston Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Michele Baker

By Kathy Steele

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©

WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA

Amici Pizza plans stand-alone location

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Vince Vizzari, a retired City of Tampa firefighter, was always there for his three sons. He coached them in baseball. He worked with them in Boy Scouts. He was available to help with a project or share some family time. Life changed dramatically for Vizzari on Jan. 23, 2018, when he suffered a massive stroke that affected his speech and mobility. And now, the three Vizzari sons — Tony, Mike and Tim — are always there for the dad. After the initial care and rehabilitation,


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