Lutz NEWS
ee r F
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win HOLLIDAY KARATINOS LAW FIRM, P.L.
SERVING LUTZ/ODESSA
OCTOBER 7, 2015
Task forces tackle congestion issues By Kathy Steele
dirt is turning in a lot of areas. We all see that.” Unprecedented growth along this corriThere is trouble on State Road 54 and dor is turning pastures and open fields into State Road 56. brick-and-mortar shops, offices, business Everyone can see the snarled traffic and parks and houses. congestion on a daily basis, and it is clear More is on the drawing board, or in the that it will only get worse with time. minds, of developers who see fiscal oppor“We’re obviously in a growing communi- tunities just over the horizon. ty in Tampa Bay,” said Jim Edwards, On Sept. 24, the MPO kicked off a series transportation manager for Pasco’s of public workshops with two separate volMetropolitan Planning Organization. “The unteer task forces that will serve as advisory
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
boards to the MPO. The focus is on improvements on State Road 54 and State Road 56 corridor from U.S. 19 to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The recommendations from these groups will be the basis for updating the Mobility 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. Each task force is assigned to examine the corridor in segments, with the East Task See CONGESTION, page13A
HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY 813-868-1887 “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights” 18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
Walk-Ins Welcome PHOTOS COURTESY OF MONICA QUIMBY
Your Home Sold
After her skiing accident, Monica Quimby got a bachelor’s in biology, a master’s in teaching, and now teaches an online course for Southern Maine Community College.
GUARANTEED or I will buy it myself.* Call me today for your FREE, NO OBLIGATION market analysis. *Some conditions apply
Ernest C. Van Glahn P.A., REALTOR® MRP
EXIT PRIME REALTY 20625 Amberfield Dr. Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638 (727) 267-2347 cell
CALL TODAY FIXED TODAY!
SEE INSIDE FOR GREAT COUPONS!
Disabled, but not discouraged
Community College. Those things, in themselves, make for an impressive resume. But, there’s much more to Quimby’s story. She competed in her home state’s wheelchair pageant and became Ms. Wheelchair Maine in 2011. She went on to finish third runner-up for Ms.Wheelchair USA. Still, something was missing. By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com A natural athlete, she didn’t want her disability to prevent her from playing sports. She tried kayaking and cycling (using hand When Monica Quimby was in college in pedals), but eventually found sledge hockey. 2006, she wanted to get a degree in molecuSledge hockey — also known as sled lar biology and to become a successful hockey — is hockey played on a sled, and athlete. requires incredible balance and upper body Then a skiing accident left her paralyzed strength. She tried it, and fell. And fell again, from the waist down. She was in the hospimore than a dozen times in all. But, she tal for nearly five months as she recovered loved it. Soon, Quimby became a talented and tried to adjust to a newer, more difficult defender. way of life. And the former Ms. Wheelchair Maine, Many people would have adjusted their who once wore a tiara and a sash, discovgoals lower. Some might have given up altoered that she really liked hitting people gether. Instead, Quimby got a degree in while defending the ice. molecular biology and became a successful Quimby is an adjunct professor, an athlete “It feels so awesome. It’s incredible,” she athlete. for the USA Women’s Sledge Hockey Team said. “I’m the one that’s smiling after I hit “I think the biggest thing is that even and was Ms. Wheelchair Maine in 2011. you.” though my physical form changed, my perIn just 18 months, Quimby has immersed sonality didn’t,” said Quimby, now 29. The degree came first. Science in Molecular, Cellular and herself in the game. She plays in local recreAfter the accident, she missed only one Developmental Biology and a Master’s ational leagues, as well as the Florida Sled Bandits, the state’s elite sledge hockey team. semester at the University of New Degree in Higher Education. And if that was the extent of her athletic Hampshire, and she was published for disNow, she lives in Wesley Chapel, and covering maternal ancestors of the she teaches an online Anatomy and strawberry. Quimby received a Bachelor’s of Physiology course for Southern Maine See DISABLED, page13A
Local groups benefit from Guv’na cash grab
A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647 PLUMBING LIC. #CFC1428982 ELECTRICAL LIC. #EC0001103
By Michael Murillo
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Winner 2012, 2013, 2014
Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Electrical
CornerstonePros.com
813-949-4445
B INSIDE, PAGE 2B
The candidates running for Lutz Guv’na spent months with their hands out. The person who raised the most money was declared the winner of the ceremonial title, so they were all focused on filling their coffers throughout their campaigns. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Jennifer Rankin was declared the winner and earned the Lutz Guv’na sash. But, the real winners were announced Oct. 1 at Learning Gate Community School, 16215 Hanna Road in Lutz. After raising more than $18,000 over the course of the campaign, it was time to hand that money out to nearly 20 worthy organizations. The funds raised went to local groups, and last week’s event allowed each of them to pick up a check to help them with their goals. For the Lutz Patriots and Support the Troops, that means more care packages going to soldiers overseas. For the Old Lutz School, it means continuing improvements, which include remodeled bathrooms and a new, lighted flagpole. And, for the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s
Club, it means taking all of their money and helping out other local groups. “We always give it away,” said Kay Taylor, president of the GFWC Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. This year the club’s Guv’na money went to Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Old Lutz School. The club spends much of the year raising its own funds to help others. Being part of the Lutz Guv’na race is special for the group and for Taylor, who was a previous candidate herself. “It’s a feeling of community. It’s a wonderful thing. You’re just thankful to be part of it,” she said. The club runs its own Guv’na candidate each year, and even though KarenSue Molis didn’t win the title, she was all smiles at the distribution ceremony and happy to have been involved in the fundraising process. MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO “It was really fun,” she said. “The camaAs candidates, KarenSue Molis, left, and raderie was great.” A portion of her funds will go to groups Guv’na Jennifer Rankin helped raise more such as the Lutz Branch Library, the Old Lutz than $18,000 for area groups. School, and Canine Companions, which provides assistance dogs to people in need. The Lutz Patriots works with Support Attendees such as Bruce Hockensmith of the Troops, and the money will go toward the Lutz Patriots appreciate the funds they postage costs to send the care packages received. across the globe, which can run around $55 “It’s been phenomenal, the support that See GUV’NA, page13A we continue to get,” he said.