The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-March. 18, 2015

Page 1

The LAKER

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. 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

FREE Hearing Consultation with University of South Florida degreed Audiologist

813-782-5395 Zephyrhills www.GardnerAudiology.com

CALL TODAY FIXED TODAY!

Whole Home Duct Cleaning

$495.00 Call for details • priCe per a/C system A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647 PLUMBING LIC. #CFC1428982

Winner 2012, 2013, 2014

Air Conditioning • Heating • Plumbing

CornerstonePros.com

813-949-4445

B INSIDE, PAGE 1B

WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION

MARCH 18, 2015

Charter panel is all white, mostly male By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

A 15-member charter advisory panel that will decide the future of Pasco County’s governing structure is in place. And Pasco commissioners approved a contract to pay a private Tallahassee consultant $60,000 to guide its efforts during the coming months. But the panel’s all white, and nearly allmale make-up came under fire at the commissioners regular meeting in Dade City on March 10. Each Pasco County Commissioner appointed two members, plus an alternate to the panel. Pasco’s five state legislators also weighed in, with one appointment each. Commissioner Mike Moore got some pushback for his selection of a county law enforcement officer supervised by Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco. “I have concerns with a member of (Nocco’s) team being on the committee,” said Chairman Ted Schrader. “I think it would be appropriate to replace him with someone else.” Moore defended Pasco Maj. Mel Eakley as

“I have concerns with a member of (Nocco’s) team being on the committee, I think it would be appropriate to replace him with someone else.” — Chairman Ted Schrader

the right choice based on Eakley’s credentials in law enforcement and his service as a military veteran. “I kind of take offense to saying we don’t want anyone on the board who is an everyday average citizen,” he said. See CHARTER, page 7A

Members of the Pasco County charter advisory panel

• Commission Chairman Ted Schrader appointed Billy E. Brown and John J. Gallagher to the panel, with Cliff McDuffie, as alternate • Commissioner Mike Moore appointed Mel Eakley and Gary Bradford, with Joseph Poblick, as alternate • Commissioner Kathryn Starkey appointed Candace Glewen and D ewey Mitchell, with Dominic Scannavino, as alternate • Commissioner Mike Wells Jr., appointed Steve Booth and Tim Holladay, with Jim Driscoll, as alternate • Commissioner Jack Mariano appointed Chuck Grey and Bill Woodard, with Cami Austin, as alternate • Members of the Pasco County legislative delegation appointed Michael Cox, Robert Eckard, John Kinsman, Randy Maggard and Mike Ryan

Comedy on tap in Zephyrhills By Michael Murillo

mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com

Entertainment at local bars often includes live music, trivia and special themed events. Now, Cheers 54, at 36616 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, is adding comedy to the mix. The pub will host a stand-up comedy night on March 20, the first in a new monthly series, called Next Up. Other venues in the area aren't putting regular comedy on the schedule, and that's exactly why it appealed to owner Kim Beverlin. "We've just been trying to come up with some new ideas for Zephyrhills," she said. "Something other places don't do." If local residents want to see live comedy, they most likely have to drive to Tampa, Beverlin explained. The comedy night allows the pub's regulars to enjoy something out of the ordinary, and Beverlin hopes, attract some new business, too. The show will include sets from four different performers selected by Frankie Lane, a Zephyrhills resident whose entertainment company creates events for Cheers 54. "Comedy's been kind of one of the things we always wanted to do," Lane said. It took a little work to put the lineup together, which includes comedians Rio Paris, Amanda Jordan, Jared Waters and Antonio Hamilton. Lane went to see each of them perform

COURTESY OF JARED WATERS

Comedian Jared Waters is scheduled to perform at Cheers 54 for a new comedy series beginning March 20.

before asking them on the show. He wanted to get a feel for how they entertain, and he believes that’s not possible by just reading their credits or watching video. Each comedian brings something different to the table, so there will be varying styles on display that night. "I love new, up-and-coming talent, and I figured, what better way to get those guys a platform and get us a great show?" Lane said.

Because Cheers 54 is a venue for adults, the comedy will be adult-oriented as well. And, the performers are looking forward to showing off their wit on a new stage, even if it doesn't normally have stand-up shows. "What comedy brings over all other entertainment is joy, the ability for an audience member to take a break from the normal lives and laugh at someone else's See COMEDY, page 7A

This Girl Scout project could save lives By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

When most people think of Girl Scouts, they tend to picture little girls selling cookies in front of the local store or singing in a camp sing-along. It’s unlikely they envision a young woman working on a project to improve traffic safety. But that’s exactly what Wesley High School student Samantha Politano is doing. She’s launched a three-year project aimed at making life safer for the students who attend Wesley Chapel High School, Thomas Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel Elementary School. She’s not only interested in making life safer for students. She wants to improve the conditions for all drivers — parents dropping off and picking up their kids, bus drivers making their rounds, and faculty members and students who drive to school. In addition to making Wells Road safer, she’s also aiming to spread the message of safe driving habits. She hopes her efforts will encourage drivers to buckle up and put away their cellphones, which will reduce their chance or being injured or having an accident. She also thinks it would be neat to give Wells Road a second, honorary name — Wildcat Way — to pay tribute to the mascot for the elementary, middle and high schools. Politano is tackling the traffic safety issue on a number of fronts and has enlisted the aid of Jeff Novotny, former president of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of

B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO

Wesley Chapel High student Samantha Politano is striving to attain a Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor awarded to a Girl Scout. Her project is to improve safety traffic conditions on Wells Road.

Commerce. Novotny is widely known in business circles around Wesley Chapel, but that’s not why Politano asked him. She wanted his help because he’s married to her third-grade teacher, Amanda, who teaches at Wesley Chapel Elementary. “Mrs. Novotny was one of the most influential teachers, ever,” Politano said. So, why would a teenager take on an issue like traffic safety?

In Politano’s case, it’s because she’s striving to attain a Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can achieve. The distinction is based on the completion of a project that focuses on making a difference. Politano said her decision to work on traffic issues was partly inspired by a friend of hers who was injured when a car backed See SCOUT, page 7A


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.