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Sales tax holiday means savings By B.C. Manion
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It’s commonly called a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, but the truth is that any Florida shopper can skip the sales tax on a multitude of items from Aug. 5 through Aug. 7. The sales tax exemption starts a minute after midnight on Aug. 5 and ends a minute before midnight on Aug. 7.
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Back to school shopping is an annual tradition for many families. Nationally, back-to-school spending is expected to reach $75.8 billion this year, according to a survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics for the National Retail Federation. That’s up from $68 billion last year, according to a story on consumer trends posted on the NRF’s website. Locally, Tampa Premium Outlets has
kicked off its back-to-school season, with a campaign targeted at teens that features three seasonal trends inspired by ’80s and ‘90s fashions — Off-Beat, Modern Utility and ’90s Nostalgia. “Back-to-school shoppers spend more during this season than they do during Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day combined, so we want to make See TAX, page 15A
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When the balloon drop happened at the 2016 Democratic National Committee, it seemed like the balloons would never stop dropping, besides being plentiful — many of the balloons were huge.
Florida at the DNC: Witness to History
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By Dr. Susan A. MacManus Special to The Laker/Lutz News
Last week, the Democrats held their 2016 national convention in Philadelphia — the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection — and formally nominated Hillary Clinton for president and Sen.Tim Kaine for vice president. The Democratic National Convention followed the Republican National Convention, held the week before in From left, Elena McCullough, of Wesley Chapel; Elaine Cleveland.Traditionally, the party Togneri, of New Port Richey; and, Dr. Susan A. that occupies the White House alMacManus chat at the Florida delegation breakfast. ways goes second. Florida’s 246 delegates headed to Philly knowing they would have a front vention. (Recall the Melania Trump speech row seat to watch history in the making — plagiarism accusation and Ted Cruz’s refusal the nomination of the first woman presiden- to endorse Trump.) Met? No. • Unify the party; bring Bernie Sanders tial candidate from a major political party. Hillary Clinton’s journey from her nomi- supporters into the fold, especially since nation to her acceptance speech was filled Sanders himself was being given a prime with surprises. So, too, were the four days time speaking spot and had already endorsed Hillary Clinton. Met? Not yet. that the delegates spent together. • Showcase the Democrat Party’s diGREAT EXPECTATIONS: versity (“race, creed, color, ethnicity, income level, education, faith, sexual orientation, genMET OR NOT? Florida delegates arrived in Philly fired up der identity”) and the campaign’s “Stronger and ready to go, expecting their convention Together” theme via media coverage of a dito: verse line-up of speakers. Met? Yes. • Underscore the importance of win• Sharply contrast Clinton’s experining Florida in November. Florida! ence and temperament with that of Trump. Florida! Florida! Met? Yes. Met? Yes. • Avoid any unpleasant surprises See DNC, page 15A such as had occurred at the GOP con-
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Setting the stage for community gatherings By B.C. Manion
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It’s a tale of two surveys. One of the surveys was mailed to a select number of residents. The other was an online version, available to all Pasco County residents. Some of the results were at odds. The mailed survey showed a 4 percent increase in the number of people who like the overall quality of life in Pasco in 2016 as compared to 2015, and the same percentage of improvement relating to the quality of Pasco services. “The economy has a lot to do with that,” said Mark Bellas, the county’s organizational performance management administrator. Online survey results reveal a less rosy picture.That showed an 8 percent decline in approval of the overall quality of life between 2015 and 2016, and nearly a 7 percent decline in the quality of county services, during the same period. Bellas presented the results of the two surveys to the Pasco County Commission at its July 12 meeting in Dade City.The survey is a guide for local governments in setting planning agendas and making budget decisions. More than 300 communities across the country participated in the National Citizen Survey. In Pasco County, the National Research Center Inc., mailed 1,500 copies of the survey to randomly selected addresses. Of those, 284 surveys were completed.The margin of error was plus or minus 5 percent. Online, more than 4,600 residents – 250 percent more than last year - completed a survey with the same questions posed in the national survey. Though the surveys are linked, county officials noted only the results from the mailed surveys are scientifically valid. People online typically are focused on addressing specific areas of concern, they said. Pasco has done the online survey every year since 2009.The first national survey also was done in 2009, and then each year from 2012 through 2016. Safety is a top priority among survey respondents, along with mobility and the economy. But, people are feeling less safe than they did in 2015, the survey showed. The survey found a slight increase in people who believe they get good return for their tax dollars. And in 2016, more people thought Pasco’s leaders were honest and treated residents fairly. However, fewer people liked the overall direction of Pasco County and more people had less confidence in its government.
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A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Aug. 16 for a stage to be built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. “It’s been a long wait, but we’re very excited,” said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, who has played a leading role in helping to bring the vision to life. “It was (state Rep.) Richard Corcoran, working with the governor, to get our cultural affairs money, to help us do the stage,” Graves said. “I’m also grateful to the school board and Ray Gadd (Pasco County Schools deputy superintendent) for taking the lead for helping us get together community participation, with different builders and suppliers that helped us do it for the amount of money that we had,” Graves added. There has been “a great, great response from the community,” said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. “The architect, Peter Gottschalk, is doing this gratis. He’s a local Land O’ Lakes archi-
tect. Coastal Design is doing the civil design.They’re doing that pro bono. “People have really stepped up,” Petrashek said. Other companies have stepped up to provide free labor and materials at cost, Petrashek noted. The roof on the stage has been upgraded to a copper-colored roof, he added. “We wanted it to stand out,” Graves said. “Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline of Copperstone (Executive Suites) donated $1,600 because we wanted a copper-color roof on it.” The beginning of construction will signal a major milestone in the quest to give the community a place to gather, Graves said. Over the years, foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos. The biggest boost for the project came last year when the governor approved a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.
Groundbreaking for Land O’ Lakes community stage • Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. • Land O’ Lakes Community Center, picnic pavilion, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
It took three governors to finally get the state’s support, Graves has noted in previous interviews. Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist both said no before Scott said yes. The contract between Pasco County and the state Division of Cultural Affairs calls for the construction to be completed by June of 2017. The completion can’t come too soon, Graves said, noting some of the people who have been pushing for the stage, sadly, have passed away and won’t be able to see it come to fruition. Graves envisions plays, concerts and other events at the stage once it’s done. “I know it’s going to be used well, in the community. We’re just making this park a very, very special park,” she said.