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False alarms could prompt hefty fines By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County is considering fines ranging from $50 to $500 to help reduce the volume of false alarm calls that waste deputies’ time. Figures collected by the sheriff’s office reveal that deputies responded to more than 17,000 alarm calls from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
Most of the calls came from residential alarms. Of the alarm calls received, nearly 80 percent of total calls to homes and businesses were false alarms, the data showed. “Most were caused by systems not being maintained,” said Chase Daniels, sheriff’s spokesman. At a Pasco County Commission meeting on July 12, Daniels told commissioners that Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco agreed
Experienced neurologist
with a county initiative to craft an ordinance that creates a registry for alarm systems and approve fines for excessive alarm calls. Commissioners directed the county’s legal staff to draw up such an ordinance for future consideration. Of the more than 17,000 calls recorded in 12 months, about 13,500 were false alarms. See ALARMS, page 15A
Pasco grapples with marijuana dilemma
Alexander Kiss, M.D., has joined Bayfront Health Medical Group. Dr. Kiss treats neck, back and facial pain, migraines, Alzheimer’s, dementia and more. Call 813-602-8805 and ask about same-day appointments.
By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
6751 Gall Blvd. • Zephyrhills
BayfrontDadeCity.com Member of the Medical Staff of Bayfront Health Dade City.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. SUSAN A. MACMANUS
A bird’s eye view of the convention hall during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
A focus on Florida at the 2016 RNC in Cleveland By Dr. Susan A. MacManus Special to The Laker/Lutz News
By now, the Republican National Convention is “old news”—but to the 99 Florida delegates and their alternates—it will never be forgotten.To them, the convention was serious business, but a lot of fun, too. Here is a brief snapshot of their four days together.
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From left, Steve Graves, Sandy Graves and Dr. Susan A.
On the plane headed up to MacManus, chat during the Republican National Cleveland, I asked some of the Convention in Cleveland. Steve Graves was an alternate Tampa area delegates what they Florida delegate, and Sandy Graves was a delegate. hoped would happen at the MacManus, is a political scientist who was at the conRNC. Leaving the convention as vention as an analyst for ABC Action News. MacManus a united party topped their lists. is a nationally known commentator, with deep knowlThey were well aware that a edge of Florida politics. fractured party makes it difficult to win Florida, and that the presidential race their time together in a city on the move — in Florida is already projected to be very still high from the NBA Championship close (nothing new). brought home by their beloved Cleveland They were hopeful that their nominee, Cavaliers. They knew attending breakfasts Donald J.Trump, would project a more seri- and events together throughout the week ous tone in his nationally televised would be an important step toward creating acceptance speech to assure wavering a strong well-organized statewide network Republicans and independents of his readi- of party activists. It is essential for conductness to be president. ing effective voter registration drives and Many also were anxious to learn more Get-Out-The-Vote efforts. about Trump’s vice presidential pick—Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana—believing it would FLORIDA DELEGATES GET give them a good indication of the kind of SPECIAL TREATMENT governing team Trump would put in place, Everyone on the political planet knows it if elected. See RNC, page 15A And, of course, they wanted to enjoy
Pasco County commissioners want to extend an existing moratorium on the growth, sales and distribution of cannabis until the end of the year. The delay would give the county’s legal staff time to craft an ordinance to ban those activities in the future. As a backup, the county would approve regulations to restrict those activities to industrially zoned locations, with conditions. The ordinance also would update police powers in making arrests for illegal possession of marijuana — which is derived from cannabis. A one-year ban on cannabis production activities is set to expire on Sept. 2. But, a Nov. 8 referendum on medical marijuana, if approved, could quickly change the regulatory landscape both statewide and at the local level. State law currently permits, in some instances, a non-euphoric form of marijuana, known as Charlotte’s web, for medical use by patients with epilepsy, seizure disorders or who are terminally ill. Only one organization is approved to dispense the product so far, with the first delivery of medical marijuana going to a resident of Hudson. The state referendum proposes to broaden when medical marijuana is allowed and open the door for new dispensaries. No dispensing sites have been approved in Pasco, but county officials said they have received inquiries about future retail sites within the county. At a July 19 workshop in New Port Richey, the county’s attorneys sought guidance from commissioners on how to tackle the evolving marijuana issue. They offered several options, including a total ban on dispensaries, which some counties are choosing to do. The ban also would establish regulations as a backup to legal challenges. “I call it a dry county kind of option,” said Kristi Sims, senior assistant county attorney, in outlining Pasco’s choices. “You can expect probably some litigation. It does carry with it the obligation to defend it, if it is challenged.” Another option would allow dispensaries in commercial areas and calls for regulating them like pain management clinics. See MARIJUANA, page 15A
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Jim Browne presents a check to John Harper, CEO of East Pasco Habitat for Humanity, to assist in Habitat operations during the Riggleman home construction. Browne later presented the key for the home to the Rigglemans.
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Diane Riggleman gets a hug and congratulations from Ava Larken, a Dade City metalworking artist.
A new home for the Rigglemans The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report
SPECIAL SECTION inside this week
Lewis and Diane Riggleman hold a basket containing traditional Habitat symbolic gifts: bread, salt, sugar, broom, candle and a Bible.
After a fire destroyed the home of Lewis and Diane Riggleman days before Christmas in 2014, the community came together to host a benefit for the couple. The damage was so extensive, the couple could not move back into their house.The fire and smoke damage ruined most of the couple’s other belongings, and their dog,Taz,
and cat, Christopher, perished in the blaze. Lewis is an ornamental blacksmith and has been involved in blacksmithing in the local community for years. Diane is a storyteller and craftsperson who demonstrates broom making, rope making, and other traditional crafts. Recently, surrounded by friends, the couple moved into their new home, built through East Pasco Habitat for Humanity.