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SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Addressing the issue of police suicides
By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
It’s known as a silent suffering in law enforcement circles — and one that experts say needs a higher profile. Suicide is the leading cause of death among law enforcement officers. At least 228 officers died by suicide in 2019 — the highest number ever reported by BlueHELP, a nonprofit that tracks police suicides. Dr. Rahul Mehra and other professionals are working to change that. Mehra was a featured guest speaker during an Aug. 27 webinar that addressed strategies to mitigate stress and to help prevent suicide by law enforcement officers and other first responders.The virtual pro-
gram was hosted by Saint Leo University and Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics (FIRST), which is based in Land O’ Lakes. The first challenge, which must be acknowledged, is the stigma associated with mental illness, said Mehra, CEO and chief physician executive of the National Center for Performance Health (NCPH). One reason that stigma remains pervasive is because depression is an invisible disease, said Mehra, a professional with 30 years of experience. “Mental wounds don’t bleed. We don’t have anything tangible that we can see or touch or feel.There is no,‘If you break your arm, we can get an X-ray, you can see the fracture in your arm,’” he said.“We have no
such mechanisms in medicine to X-ray for depression, or even, for that matter, to get a blood test.” Because it’s not tangible, mental illness is more difficult to accept and understand, the psychiatrist said. “Our brain is the most complex organ we have in our bodies,” he said,“but is the one that we seem to know the least about.” Lack of awareness about depression and suicide is likewise problematic. The physician pointed out roughly 40,000 people die by suicide every year in the United States — about equivalent to deaths related to breast cancer. Yet, there is no robust national campaign addressing suicide, See POLICE, page 7A
JIM HOLLIDAY “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights”
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New residences popping up all over Dade City
FILE
Noah Ruggles, a Steinbrenner High standout, emerged as the University of North Carolina’s primary kicker as a sophomore last year.
By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
Residential construction is on a roll in the City of Dade City, and officials are predicting that it will yield marked increases to the town’s ad valorem revenue across the next several years. Information shared during a budget workshop revealed some of the city’s timelines and projections for when new single-family housing and apartment complexes are expected to hit the city’s tax rolls, in the foreseeable future. Melanie Romagnoli, the city’s community and economic development director provided the latest housing and apartment updates to the Dade City Commission. The most recent large-scale projects — that are all but complete — include two affordable workforce apartments — Osprey Pointe (110 multi-family units) and Arbours at Hester Lake (80 multi-family units). Osprey Pointe, at 12870 Courtyard Estates, is already 100% occupied.Arbours at Hester Lake, 13300 Hester Lake Way, has been receiving application requests since it broke ground and is expected to be fully occupied shortly, Romagnoli said. Both apartment complexes, plus the addition of 13 single-family homes (11 infill development, two Suwanee Lakeside models) are expected to increase the city’s tax rolls by another $205,000 in fiscal year 2021-2022, she said. That represents about a 10% bump from this upcoming fiscal year’s tax rolls — where ad valorem taxes are tallied at $2,044,490. Long-term, at least 3,000 new units are expected to come online within the next decade, with a substantial number expected to be built out over the next few years. With that, the city has a bullish outlook for ensuing years, with further projected increases in ad valorem revenue in fiscal years. In fiscal year 2022-2023, it expects an increase of $91,000. In, 2023-2024, a bump of $199,400; in 2024-2025, an increase of $206,400;, and 2025-2026, an additional $182,000. In other words, by 2025-2026, ad valorem tax revenues are expected to total See RESIDENCES, page 7A
B 100 YEARS YOUNG INSIDE, PAGE 1B
FILE
Isaiah Bolden was a three-sport star at Wesley Chapel, shining in football, basketball, and track and field. Now, he’s a redshirt sophomore at Florida State University.
COURTESY OF GAITHER HIGH SCHOOL
COURTESY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Ja’Quan Sheppard, safety at the University of Cincinnati, was mostly known for his skills as a wide receiver at Zephyrhills High School, where his impact helped guide the Bulldogs to arguably its best season in program history in 2018.
Making a name for themselves, on a new stage Before these athletes hit the gridiron for their respective colleges, they were known locally for their skills on local fields. Above, Donovan Jennings didn’t start playing football until his freshman year at Gaither High School, but he quickly developed his skills, attracting a number of scholarship offers. The massive left tackle is now a junior at the University of South Florida. Find out more about what these athletes are up to now. Check out our coverage on Sports, page 8A.
Dade City budget is decreasing in 2020-2021 By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
The Dade City Commission has adopted the city’s tentative budget for next year, and it represents an 8.2% decrease from this year’s budget. Commissioners had the first reading of the ordinance and first hearing on the proposed $17,710,000 budget in a virtual meeting on Sept. 10. Commissioners gave first-round approval and will have a second reading and final public hearing before the new budget takes effect on Oct. 1. The 2020-2021 budget represents a decrease of $1,576,935 from this year’s budget. The proposed budget is based on an approved 7.14 millage rate, accessed on the taxable value of property within the city. Here’s a breakdown: • Capital outlay and debt service represents about 44% of the budget, anticipated to total $7,825,733. Major capital projects include construction of the Dade Oaks retention pond; Howard Avenue stormwater improvements; installation of the Tank Hill well, storage tower and booster station; Morningside Drive design, acquisition and construction project; construction of the visitors information center; and other various utility, sidewalk and road improvements projects. • Personnel costs represent about a third of the budget, totaling $5,807,341 — and an increase of $144,221 from the current budget. That’s a result of funding four new positions, increased health care and workers compensation premiums, 3% cost of living adjustments, years of service increases, reorganization within the police department, increased wages and benefits through the negotiation of the police union contract, and associated retirement. • Operating costs make up about 23% of
the budget, at $4,076,925. Changes include funding for a website revision, conversion from a part-time IT consultant to a full-time IT manager (staff position), projected increases in solid waste collections, and additions to a utility renewal and replacement fund. The city organized six budget workshops throughout July, August and September to hammer out the fine details, with the help of new interim finance director Andrew Laflin. Newly elected Commissioner Knute Nathe said he was “very proud” the town was able to pass the budget without having to raise taxes on residents — maintaining a millage rate that’s been in place the past several years.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS RESIDENTS RAISE COMMUNITY CONCERNS
Several Washington Heights residents weighed in during the public comment period of the virtual meeting — expressing their disappointment with city leadership, asserting their local neighborhood and subdivision has been neglected in funding and resources. The Washington Heights community is generally bordered by Gaddis Avenue and Whitehouse Avenue, and includes 10th, 11th and 12th streets, among other areas. More than a handful of residents spoke up, complaining of flooded streets and stormwater deficiencies; poor road and sidewalk conditions; and, a general lack of code enforcement presence to address trash, debris and parking issues of a slew of nearby rental properties. Harriett Craig, who’s lived on 10th Street since 1979, called out commissioners for appropriating “millions and millions of dollars” toward park improvements and other projects in other parts of the city, but overlooking various infrastructure issues of
her local neighborhood. “The city commissioners are here to serve the entire city, not certain parts of it,” Craig said.“I, as a resident of the City of Dade City, feel like our voices are mute when it comes down to expressing what our needs are in the city,” She continued her point: “If Howard Avenue can be upgraded so homes won’t be flooded, why can’t 10th Street get the same treatment? I don’t understand it.” Anita Blake, who lives in Oakview Circle adjacent to Washington Heights, also levied harsh words to commissioners: “We can’t even get the road paved, we can’t get the ditches paved. At some point, it’s like, why are we even paying taxes?” Eunice Penix, a former longtime commissioner who lives on Wilson Street, also shared her dismay with the community seemingly being brushed aside: “I’m kind of upset. It seems to me we have selective code enforcement. …We shouldn’t have to call the city every time something needs to be done when we have workers all over the city riding and looking; they should look to see what’s wrong with the grounds.” In response to all that, Dade City Manager Leslie Porter told residents she’ll collaborate with department heads to inspect the area and formulate an action plan in coming weeks. “We care about all the communities in the city,” said Porter,“and it’s good for us to know when there is a problem, if there’s somewhere where we may be falling short, so I do thank you all for being here and letting us know what your concerns are.” Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez assured Washington Heights will be met with a detailed response and action from city staff, saying she is “very, very disturbed” by residents feeling neglected. See BUDGET, page 7A