The LAKER
ee r F
EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
JULY 22, 2015
Charter committee faces crucial vote By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A panel that was appointed to examine whether Pasco County needs a new structure could be headed toward a conclusion, if panel members decide to reject a charterstyle government. On the other hand, a favorable decision
would mean the panel has more work to do to craft the details of how that charter government would operate. A vote is tentatively set for Aug. 10, on the same day the county’s legislative delegation is expected to weigh in on the topic. The charter process began two months ago in response to a request in January from State Rep. Richard Corcoran, who supports
adoption of a charter. “It’s a pretty important topic you all are jumping into,” Pasco County Chairman Ted Schrader said, at the panel’s July 13 meeting in New Port Richey. Schrader, and Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Michael Moore, See CHARTER, page 11A
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KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS
The Veggie Van is a point of pride for Tom Looby, left, president of the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA; Kelley Parris, executive dire ctor of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County; Ann Shafer, loan officer at Bank of America; Lakeisha Hood of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and Michelle Maingot, chairwoman of the YMCA’s board of directors.
Veggie Van to deliver fresh produce in East Pasco By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
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INSIDE, PAGE 1B
For many low-income families, putting fresh fruits and vegetables on a grocery shopping list is a luxury out of reach. They live in what are known as food deserts, where the only choice for buying groceries is a corner store or a convenience shop. Fresh produce is either nonexistent or so costly families can't afford it. Catching a public bus to a grocery store isn't always a satisfactory answer. "You can only carry so much on a bus," said Mike McCollum, executive director of the Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA in Tampa. So, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA came up with a solution - the Veggie Van. The program operates on a two-week rotation, delivering seasonal produce to families in need. The refrigerated truck, loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, will be parked at the Lacoochee Community Center in Stanley Park on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Other participating communities are Sulphur Springs, Wimauma Village and Tampa Heights, in Hillsborough County. The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the Bank of America and the Joy McCann Foundation are among the sponsoring partners.
On July 10, McCollum and other dignitaries, including Tom Looby, president of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, officially rolled out the yellow and orange van. The vehicle sparked interest from passersby while parked for a week in the lot across from the Central City YMCA on Palm Avenue in Tampa. "It just looks cool," said Looby. "We will go to (families) in this visually, appealingly colorful van. But instead of the ice cream truck, it's the Veggie Van." As many as 50 food deserts have been identified including the Lacoochee community, said Elizabeth Roman, the mobile food market director for the Tampa area YMCA. In the future, more communities in Hillsborough and Pasco counties could become stops for the Veggie Van. "There are many families not able to access fresh fruits and vegetables," Roman said. "We're trying to eliminate the gap, if we can." Children and families who qualify for free or reduced meals at schools automatically qualify and only need to sign up for the program. Families in Lacoochee can sign up at local Boys & Girls Clubs or on the day the van comes to the community center. A nutritionist, with the local extension agency, will work with families on food preparation, tips for shopping, food safety, nutrition plans and the need for physical activity.
The Veggie Van will be heading out to East Pasco on Aug. 4 to deliver fresh veggies to families there. It’s part of a plan to make healthier foods more accessible and available for people in need.
"We strongly believe the Veggie Van will change the face of hunger in the Tampa community," said Jacqueline Hunter who will work with the Veggie Van program in Hillsborough. She works for Hillsborough County Extension. In Lacoochee, an extension program, Family Nutrition Program of Pasco County, will partner with the Veggie Van.The county program has been providing nutritional and educational services at Lacoochee Elementary School for about eight years. The first three years of the Veggie Van will cost about $200,000 from a combination of funds from the YMCA and grants from the Children's Board of Hillsborough See VEGGIE, page11A
Pasco’s budget approaches $1.3 billion By Kathy Steele
cover pay raises and benefits, as well as ongoing expenses for body cameras and helicopter maintenance. Pasco County’s budget for fiscal year According to Nocco, County 2016 will be about $1.3 billion. But that out- Administrator Michele Baker’s proposed sized number won’t stretch far enough to budget only provides enough money to give meet all the county’s needs, including a pay his employees a 1 percent pay boost. hike requested by Pasco County Sheriff But Baker said the budget proposal proChris Nocco. vides a 3 percent pay raise for all county Pasco County commissioners were employees, without raising the millage rate. scheduled to set a tentative millage rate, on Nocco’s supporters are clearly not satisJuly 21 — after our deadline for going to fied with the county administrator’s press. proposed budget. However, the budget is still open for disOn July 14, employees from the sheriff’s cussion and won’t be approved until office and fire rescue packed the Dade City September. Courthouse meeting room as the commisAs it stands now, Nocco will get about sioners received their first public briefing $2.7 million of the $6.5 million increase he on the budget. requested. His overall request of $104 mil“We’re out here fighting for the sheriff’s lion was about 6.7 percent higher than the budget,” said Sgt. Justin Ross, the departbudget approved by Pasco County commis- ment’s union representative. sioners last year. According to data collected by the sherThe additional funds were meant to iff’s department, the starting pay for a Pasco
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
County deputy is just under $40,000. With five years’ experience, pay rises to more than $42,000. However, the average starting pay in surrounding counties is nearly $43,000. At the Tampa Police Department, a deputy would start at about $47,000. With five years’ experience, pay increases by nearly $10,000. “You have a bunch of deputies out there unhappy,” said Ross. “They are looking to go elsewhere. Really, we need to start now. It’s imperative.” Nocco told the commission members he expects to lose up to 60 deputies by the end of the year. That’s an increase over the 44 deputies who left last year. To meet all of Nocco’s needs, the millage rate would have to be increased about a quarter percent over its current rate of 8.9, according to Assistant County Administrator See BUDGET, page 11A