The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-July 9, 2014

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PREVENT A COSTLY SUMMER BREAKDOWN

Patriotic cheer

MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO

Carrie Smith of Brooksville gets a big smile out of her granddaughter Kinley Ewell, 1, while sister Savannah, 4, looks on. Both were part of the Miss and Mr. Firecracker contest at The Shops at Wiregrass. To see more pictures from Fourth of July weekend, turn to pages 16 and 17.

Sheriff: This year’s budget hikes are just the beginning By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com

Sheriff Chris Nocco knows the additional $6 million he’s asking for to fund the Pasco County Sheriff’s office this year isn’t a small amount. But it’s just the beginning as local law enforcement starts to fall behind neighbors like Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, and even the much smaller Hernando County. Nocco would prefer his additional funds not be part of any property tax increase, but no matter how the money is raised, his department desperately needs it. “We’re already preparing for next year, like how many more deputies we’re going to need out on the street,” Nocco told The

Laker last week. “Our biggest thing right now is that we have to stop losing members. It’s hurting us, and it’s coming at a very high cost.” In a workshop last month with the Pasco County Commission, which sets his budget, Nocco said many of his veteran deputies and managers are leaving for better salaries and benefits with neighboring counties. Despite the commission’s attempt to raise salaries in recent years, there just hasn’t been enough money to stop the talent bleed. Even worse, he said, the technology used by the sheriff’s office is quite outdated, and it’s preventing deputies from providing the See SHERIFF, page 14

MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO

Cpl. Mary Guyer shares some recent crime statistics with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco. The sheriff has requested an additional $6 million this year, but could be asking for more in coming years, especially as he sets sights on a new district office in the Wesley Chapel/Land O’ Lakes area.

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Don Porter, whose vision helped transform ranch land into an urban center in Wesley Chapel, has died. He was 73. Porter’s family, which owns the sprawling Wiregrass Ranch, sold the land that is now occupied by The Shops at Wiregrass and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.The family also donated 60 acres of land for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, which now occupies about 6 acres of that land. There’s also a high school in the community named after the Porter’s Wiregrass Ranch.

While Porter had a hand in projects of a regional scale, that is not what meant the most to him, said his son, J.D. Porter. “Out of all of the accomplishments, I think the thing that he was most proud of was his family,” he said. “He wanted to see everyone do well.” Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri recalls when her colleagues were considering approval of The Shops at Wiregrass. She and Commissioner Jack Mariano supported the request, but they needed a third vote, which came from Commission Ted Schrader. “I believe that Don’s generous spirit and clear vision made a difference in the Wesley Chapel area, and set the tone for all future de-

velopment there,” Mulieri said.“Don will be missed. He was a good steward of the land and a southern gentleman.” Greg Lenners, general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass, said it was easy to see that Porter was a highly respected man in the community. “He will truly be missed,” said Lenners, who oversees the main-street style shopping mall at the intersection of State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The mall is a popular gathering spot and pulls shoppers and visitors from across the region, especially during the holidays and for See PORTER, page 14


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