The LAKER
ee r F
EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win HOLLIDAY KARATINOS
APRIL 14, 2021
Vaccination efforts continue to expand
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Vaccine supplies, vaccine eligibility and vaccination sites have increased in recent weeks — as efforts continue to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and restore a sense of normalcy.
The availability of vaccine supplies and vaccination sites continues to change, so it’s a good idea to check with local health departments and congressional offices to secure updated information. In Pasco County, for instance, the health department previously had vaccine appointments available on Friday afternoons for the
following week. As of April 9, however, it began allowing appointments for a twoweek period. “Working with local physicians’ offices and pharmacies, Pasco County now has over 130 locations that are offering COVIDSee VACCINATION, page 9A
LAW FIRM, PLLC HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights”
813-868-1887 OR
352-597-0009
City manager recaps possible 911 dispatch merger By Kevin Weiss
FRED BELLET
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
During a recent breakfast meeting with the East Pasco Networking Group, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe briefed those gathered on the city’s current consideration of combining its 911 police communications system with the Pasco County Department of Emergency Services in New Port Richey. The looming decision “has nothing to do with finances,” Poe said. Instead, he said, it is “all about officer safety, citizen safety.” The move would essentially create a centrally located communications center for all emergency personnel and shared CAD/RMS (computer-aided dispatch systems and records management systems), to eliminate 911 calls being answered by dispatches from the Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) and Pasco Sheriff’s Office — and the need to transfer wireless callers between agencies. A full dispatch consolidation model would mirror what’s now in place at the Dade City Police Department, which joined Pasco’s 911 system in 2015. Under this setup, the county handles all 911 calls, prioritizing calls by importance and dispatching the closest city or county units accordingly, on the same radio frequency.At the same time, Dade City police employees answer all non-emergency calls. Poe was city manager of Dade City when the systems were combined. He underscored the benefits of the shift. It has improved communication channels between agencies and has provided access to important records to individuals or suspects crossing jurisdictional boundaries between the city and the county. For instance, it allows the agencies to have background on someone’s previous encounters with law enforcement entities, such as knowing if there’s a documented history of fighting or resisting arrest with personnel from the Zephyrhills and Dade City police departments, or the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It also has proven to be beneficial in terms of law enforcement response, he said. He cited an incident involving the report of a gun at a Dade City area McDonald’s. Seven nearby sheriff’s deputies and four on-duty Dade City police officers responded immediately to the scene without incident. See 911, page 9A
B BATTLING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC INSIDE, PAGE 1B
Lutz flea market lures shoppers with its bargains
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club offered a variety of good deals at its annual Spring Flea Market fundraiser, attracting a steady crowd of bargain-hunters to the sale, held at the Boy Scout Pack 12 property, at 205 Second Ave., S.E., in Lutz. The event raises money for scholarships, said Annette Bellinger, club president. Above, Marcey Rotz made the trip from New Port Richey to do a bit of shopping. More photos, page 5B.
Elaine Pittman, left, also known as The Plant Lady, speaks with Debbie Cold, of Lutz, under the plant sale tent. Pittman, assisted by Sandi Giddens of Lutz, sold a variety of native plants.
An early crowd snatched up bargains, but there was still time to buy the large-faced clock at noon. Volunteer Dee Knerr, of North Tampa, was one of many Woman’s Club members on hand to help out.
Zephyrhills councilwoman bullish on town’s outlook By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Zephyrhills City councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson has closely observed the evolution of the small-town East Pasco community over the past three decades. The elected official and longtime resident is pleased, overall, with the current situation in the municipality — amid a period of rampant growth, development, infrastructure enhancements and other changes. Some of the city’s major tackling points of late include: • The addition of thousands of new homes throughout city limits • Multimillion dollar expansions to the city’s wastewater treatment plant, municipal airport and municipal tennis center • Myriad roadwork projects, such as U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road signalized intersection and paving of Simons Road • Work to revitalize the historic downtown district This imminent progress can be traced to comprehensive plans solidified some 20 years ago, Wilkeson said during an East
FILE
Zephyrhills City Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson was a featured guest speaker during an East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting last month at IHOP in Dade City.
Pasco Networking Group meeting last month at IHOP in Dade City. Wilkeson, who is the founder and president of an architecture and interior design firm in Tampa, credits the city’s “history of success” to “a series of elected leaders who’ve helped move Zephyrhills forward.”
“All of this is possible,” she added, “because we had a plan.” Unopposed in this year’s municipal election,Wilkeson is set to embark on her fourth term — in total — of serving on the City Council. She was elected to a three-year term in April 2018 and previously served from 2008 to 2014. She also serves as board president of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Wilkeson’s gateway into local volunteerism public service began as a concerned Zephyrhills citizen about 20 years ago when she responded to a mail-in survey regarding city utilities and services, then writing a detailed note to city administration and leadership. Wilkeson joked that the conscientious letter was “a fatal error,” as she was asked to meet with then longtime city manager Steve Spina and planning director Todd Vande Berg to gain the resident’s perspective on municipal operations and other happenings in the city.“The moment I wrote that note, they said, ‘Oh, she’s smart and she knows what we’re doing, we need to get her in See OUTLOOK, page 9A