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Diverging Diamond is behind schedule
Pasco commissioners urge state roads officials to turn up the heat on the road contractor to get the project back on track. By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
HOLLIDAY KARATINOS
A road project that’s expected to reduce congestion at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 is running behind schedule, and Pasco County commissioners aren’t happy. Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore raised the issue during the
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board’s Oct. 20 meeting — citing the apparent lack of workers on the project. “I drive it daily. My wife drives it daily. My oldest daughter probably drives it three to four times a week,” he said. “Yesterday, when I drove through there, I took a few photos. I saw one truck. I don’t know what he was doing, I’m not a contractor. And, I saw two guys standing on the side, down below. “On a project of that magnitude, those are the only people I saw working on it Monday — a sunny Monday. “That was about 1:15, 1:30 (in the after-
noon), when I drove through there. Those were the only people working on that project when I drove by there. “That’s insane. “That’s ridiculous. “That’s embarrassing,” Moore said. “I know Commissioner (Kathryn) Starkey and I received a letter from a group of businesses over on the west side of the interchange, everywhere from the outlet mall to across the street to Sierra’s properties (Cypress Creek Town Center), too,” See DIAMOND, page 15A
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Safe autumn activities
Club Connerton previously has hosted several autumn events for residents in the Land O’ Lakes community — but this year, because of COVID-19, the activities were reimagined, to follow social distancing guidelines. Instead of the adult beer garden and costume contests, Gregg Svendgard, Club Connerton’s general manager, and his staff, came up with some new activities. There was the annual Monster Mash Dash Costume 5K Run, a pumpkin patch and a scarecrow-themed hay bale to give families a backdrop for photos. Staff members disinfected pumpkins regularly, and plastic gloves were supplied to those picking out their perfect pumpkin. The pumpkins were free, and each children received a bag with candy and a craft-to-go, while supplies lasted. Above, 7-year-old Noah Claridge and his 2-year-old sister, Ava, pose for a family photo at the scarecrow-themed hay bale display. The siblings visited the Connerton pumpkin patch with their parents, Jennifer and Matthew.
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Seven-year-old Sophia Husby and her 5-year-old sister, Chloe, select their perfect pumpkins from the patch on the lawn of Club Connerton. The girls were there their parents, Juliana and Eric.
Local officials Send-off honors Pasco Commissioner Mike Wells continue mask mandates, urge social distancing
By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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Four-year-old Kendall Smith is all smiles, as she proudly shows her mother, Tia, the pumpkin that she chose.
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr., concluded his last meeting with the county board, on Oct. 20 with a playful gesture. He dropped the gavel. The action — which essentially means, ‘My work is done here’ — provided a glimpse into the commissioner’s self-deprecating humor, and it came at the conclusion of a meeting where he received a standing ovation, and was lavished with praise for his six years of service on the county board. Commissioners paused from their formal agenda to honor some of Wells’ accomplishments since he won the District 4 seat in 2014 and subsequently won re-election. He’s leaving the board to become the Pasco County Property Appraiser. Wells has a long association with politics and government. After all, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Mike Wells Sr., who served on the Pasco County Commission and then was Pasco County Property Appraiser. Besides growing up in a household
where public service was valued,Wells got involved in political campaigns when he was just 12 years old. During his tenure on the Pasco County Commission, Wells has voted on myriad issues important to Pasco County residents, businesses, organizations and communities. He advocated for the extension of Ridge Road — a project the county had pursued for decades that finally began construction at the beginning of this year. He and his colleagues selected County Administrator Dan Biles to lead the county’s staff. Wells also took the leading role in reviving scalloping in Pasco County, after a hiatus that had lasted nearly 25 years. During county meetings and through work with community organizations, he has championed efforts to help the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, the unemployed, veterans and small businesses. Wells also has called for high expectations of the county staff, as it relates to customer service. At the same time, he demonstrated supSee WELLS, page 15A
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Elected leaders in Pasco and Hillsborough counties are still requiring masks to be worn indoors in their counties, as rates of COVID-19 remain concerning. Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health – Pasco County, updated the Pasco County Commission on current local conditions during an Oct. 20 meeting. “I wish I had better news. Our goal, when we talked last time was, ‘Let’s see what the data looks like and maybe we can make revisions,” Napier said. In his update, that came 30 days after his last appearance, Napier told board members: “We have 10,294 positive cases, as of yesterday (Oct. 19).That’s a 3.5% increase over See MANDATES, page 15A