free press zephyrhills - dade city news...

INSIDE: Pg. 5A - High School Molestation ReportedPg. 11A - Roy Hardy Laid To Rest

Pg. 1B - Bulldogs Flatten FalconsPg. 1B - Lady Bulldogs Drop Rivalry Match

Pg. 3B - ZCA’s Defense Leads To WinPg. 5B - Scuba Club Dives Deep For Charity

Main Street Zephyrhills Volume VI • Issue 34 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.com September 28, 2017

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Fender Bender

Concert Aids 8 Charities

The “Seminole Wind” blew into Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds on Thursday night for the annual John Anderson Concert benefitting eight local charitable organizations.

The sold-out shows, promoted by businessman and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, have raised more than a quarter million dollars in

The Anderson benefit concerts have raised more than $250,000 in the past five years.

Story and photos by Dave Walters

Brewer Earns ZPD Chief

Members of Zephyrhills City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to name Derek Brewer the city’s new chief of police.

City Manager Steve Spina told members of council of the six final applicants Brewer was the best choice for the job.

Brewer is a 15-year veteran of the Zephyrhills Police Department, hired as a patrol officer in 2002. He served as a field training officer, patrol sergeant, lieutenant, and was promoted to the patrol captain position in 2014. He was named Interim Police Chief in May of this year to lead the department following the retirement of ZPD Chief David Shears.

Shears was Brewer’s mentor throughout his career and now

Accolades Precede Council’s Decision On Shears’ Replacement

Story and photos by Dave Walters

A Meal Delivered With Thanks

Zephyrhills Police Department officers were treated to a classic fish fry on Monday as thanks for their hard work and service to the community.

Zephyrhills resident Jack Rhoden organized the feast with the help of several other community members and businesses.

Rhoden spent most of his day Sunday fishing for mullet to fry up and serve to the men and women of the department. Normally, he said he catches the proper amount for a fish fry within several Officers of the Zephyrhills Police Department fill their plates with freshly fried fish

and all the fixings on Monday during the department’s shift change.

Relief Team Springs Into Action

Local organizations and clubs held a Sept. 6 meeting to plan a relief collection for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. At that time, Irma was a faint possibility, swirling in the Atlantic Ocean with an uncharted destination. But just in case, members of the newly formed Zephyrhills Disaster Relief Effort decided to wait a bit to determine Irma’s path and switch their efforts to Florida if needed.

It was soon evident that Irma was churning toward the Florida Keys so the group took a break to prepare their own homes against the eventual threat. Once Irma passed Dozens of boxes were filled with donations last Saturday and

loaded up by the Salvation Army on Wednesday.

by Keri McAlpine

Photo ProvidedConcert • Continued on 0A

Brewer • Continued on Page 6A

Relief • Continued on Page 8A

Story and photos by Keri McAlpine

Meal • Continued on Page 3A

Mayor Gene Whitfield offers his congratulations and support to newly appointed Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer.

Fish Fry Cooked Up For Police Department

Donations For Irma Victims Accepted Until Saturday

Famed Country Singer’s Show Helps East Pasco

2A • September 28, 2017 Your Hometown News Source • zephyrhillsfreepress.com Zephyrhills Free Press

Sandra Jean Mercer, 22, of 37312 Vero Lane, Dade City, was arrested by Zeph-yrhills police on Sept. 18 and charged with possession of metham-phetamine. Without be-ing instructed to do so, Mercer opened her

purse when an officer made contact with her at 2:43 a.m. on C Avenue at 18th Street. The officer reportedly saw a small glass pipe with residue inside it. The pipe tested positive for trace amounts of methamphetamine and Mercer was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Shawn Richard Smalley, 41, 36447 Ohara St., was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 6 and was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and trespass on proper-ty other than structure.

Police responded to Dollar General, 5949 Gall Blvd., regarding a trespassing com-plaint. Smalley had previously been tres-passed from the business in 2015. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Nancy Jean Olivastro, 58, of 5546 Eighth St., was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 14 and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of meth-amphetamine. Olivas-

tro gave an officer permission to search

her purse and a clear plastic pouch was reportedly found inside with one white tablet loose in it. It was positively iden-tified as a 300 mg acetaminophen/co-deine tablet. A search incidental to ar-rest disclosed $67 rolled up in the same clear pouch. A clear plastic bag contain-ing what was positively identified as 0.5 grams of codeine was found inside the roll of currency. Olivastro was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Rodney Gerald Williams Jr., 22, of 5430 Lincoln Ave., was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 15 and charged with burglary and grand theft. Wil-liams allegedly entered the victim’s storage shed on Aug. 10 and

stole property from inside. Williams al-legedly took a self-propelled lawnmow-er valued at $350 from a different vic-tim on the same date. The stolen items were later recovered at pawnshops in Tampa and Zephyrhills.

Kijuan Gregory Haynes, 36, of 4144 Patio Drive, was arrest-ed by Zephyrhills po-lice on Sept. 14 and charged with grand theft and criminal mis-chief. Police responded to a retail theft com-plaint at Walmart, 7631

Gall Blvd., at 10:15 a.m. Store security told police Haynes had selected 59 items, valued at $604.82, and had passed all points of sale without paying for them. The items were recovered.

Haynes then allegedly damaged a cell door at the Zephyrhills Police Depart-ment before being taken to the Pasco County Jail.

James Bradley Matson, 32, 5211 First St., was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 16 and charged with domestic battery. Police responded to the Just Inn, 5615 Gall Blvd., regarding a dis-turbance. The defen-

dant and the victim have lived together for five years. The victim told police she and Matson were in an argument at the motel. He allegedly refused to return her cell phone and pulled her off the bed causing her to hit her back on the floor. Matson and the victim reportedly both struck one another during the inci-dent and marks were observed on both of them. The victim said she was two weeks pregnant and that Matson was aware of it. Matson still had the victim’s cell phone in his possession when police made contact with him. Post Miranda, he denied the allegations and said the victim had struck him due to him taking her phone. Matson also said the victim had not been to a doctor to confirm she is pregnant. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Robert Lee Morse, 35, 7151 Omega Court, was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 17 and charged with trespass in unoc-cupied structure or con-veyance. He was alleg-edly observed sleeping on a couch in the living

room of a residence in the 7000 block of Ashland Drive at 11:19 p.m. The victim told police he did not know Morse and had not invited him into the residence. Morse later allegedly admitted to being under the influence at the time and said he entered the residence by mistake. Morse was booked into the Pasco Coun-ty Jail.

Ryan Lane Linville, 18, of 6060 Idle A While Circle, Dade City, was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 13 and charged with domestic battery. Police responded to Lowe’s, 7921 Gall Blvd., at 2 p.m. regard-

ing a fight in progress. A witness told police they observed Linville forcefully shove the victim to the ground with both hands. The victim advised he was

shoved to the ground by Linville, who is his nephew, during an argument in the Lowe’s parking lot. Post Miranda, Lin-ville said his aunt and uncle had been arguing and he had separated them by slightly pushing them away. He also stated his uncle then tripped and fell backwards and denied having used both hands to push the victim. Linville was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Miguel Angel Santiago, 36, of 5832 10th St., was arrested by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 5 and charged with domestic battery. Police were dispatched to a residence in the 5000 block of Fourth Street regarding a do-

mestic battery. The victim told police Santiago grabbed her shirt and lunged on top of her. Santiago and the victim reside together as a family. The victim had injuries consistent with her account of what occurred. A witness told police he observed Santiago grab the victim by the neck and throw her to the ground. Santiago was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Richard W. Border III, 30, of 37527 Laurel Hammock Drive, was apprehended by Zephyrhills police on Sept. 5 on a charge of violation of a domestic violence injunction. The victim came to the Zephyrhills Police De-

partment and told officers Border ap-proached her vehicle and argued during a child exchange on Sept. 5. Border was originally served with the DVI on April 11. The DVI specifically states Border may not come within 100 feet of the victim’s vehicle at anytime. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail.

Shannon Dewayne Baynum, 38, of 5325 17th St., was ap-prehended by Zeph-yrhills police on Sept. 17 on a warrant charg-ing him with violation of probation. Contact was made with Baynum while he was allegedly

violating a city ordinance at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., at 11:24 p.m. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail upon confirmation of the warrant.

The information provided in the Zeph-yrhills Police report is taken from public record. All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Zephyrhills Arrests

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hours. However, because of murky water stirred up by Irma, the water’s lack of clarity made it a more challenging and time-consuming effort this time around. Even so, he persevered until he knew he had enough to feed the department.

Rhoden also cooked up a giant pot of cheese grits for officers to enjoy.

Sonny’s BBQ contributed baked beans, Creative Souls Café served up potato salad and resident Paul Chappell made hush puppies to complete the buffet style spread, served up in the department’s car garage.

The meal was served at 4 p.m., when the department’s shift change occurred. Some officers got to end their day with a relaxing meal while others started theirs with plenty of energy.

“We want to tell them we appreciate

them and want them to know we’ve got their back,” Rhoden said of hosting the fish fry. “We appreciate everything they do every day and they were right out there after the storms came through and set up a first responders team … we just want to show our thanks as a community.”

Rhoden and Chappell arrived at the department an hour and a half before the shift change to prepare the meal.

When it came time to eat, officers patiently, but excitedly, lined up to fill their plates.

Officer Adam Harris, originally from New Jersey, had never heard of a fish fry before Monday and tasted his first hush puppy that day. He said he enjoyed it.

In addition to the meal, officers were presented with gift cards to Creative Souls Café as extra thanks for their efforts, courtesy of owner Anna Bailey.

Meal • Continued from Page 1A

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield, left, joined Jack Rhoden and Chief Derek Brewer for the fish fry feast

Jack Chappell, right, chats with ZPD officers while they enjoy their meal. For many, the fish fry was a piece of home, but for some non-native Floridians the meal was a first taste into southern classics.


Pasco News PublicationsDade City News • East Pasco Senior News • Zephyrhills Free Press

DesignEdwin Pitts

[email protected]

SportsMark McLeod

ReportersJoe Potter

[email protected]

Dave [email protected]

Max [email protected]

Public RelationsGreg First

gfi [email protected]

EditorKeri McAlpine

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38440 5th Avenue - Zephyrhills, FL 33542 (813) 783-1300 - www.pasconewspubs.com

NEWS & ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Monday at 12:00 noon • CIRCULATION ISSUES: Please call the offi ce at (813) 783-1300LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor should be limited to 200 words. Pasco News Publications reserves the right to edit published letters. Letters to the editor are the writer’s opinion and do not refl ect the opinion of Pasco News Publications. Please include your name and phone number.ADVERTISING ERRORS: Pasco News Publications is not responsible for the validity of claims made by advertisers or for advertisers errors. Pasco News Publications is responsible only for the cost of space for the fi rst insertion.PASCO NEWS PUBLICATIONS IS A MEMBER OF: The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.COPYRIGHT: Contents copyright of Pasco News Publications, all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole prohibited without prior, written permission of the publisher.

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East Pasco EventsSept. 30 – Saturday in the Square – Main Street Zephyrhills presents a downtown event from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy live music, food and beverages and shopping provided by local vendors. Sidewalk sales will be held down Fifth Avenue and look out for special offers in stores. Free parking and no street closures. Come meet local Main Street business members. Call (813) 780-1414 for information.

Oct. 1 – Blessing of the Animals – To celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, St. Joseph Catholic Church presents the Blessing of the Animals in the church parking lot at 5316 11th St. starting at 12:30 p.m. All animals are welcome and they must be leashed or caged. Call the church at (813) 782-2813 for information.

Oct. 2 – Holes For Hope – A golf tournament benefitting Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic & Sexual Abuse Center will be held at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd. Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $125 per golfer. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact (352) 567-4960 or [email protected] for information.

Oct. 2 – Performing CPR and Choking Rescue on Babies – Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will offer a free and lifesaving American Heart Association class for parents who are expecting a baby or have a newborn. The class will teach participants how to perform infant CPR and choking rescue and will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. This is not an AHA certifying or credentialing course. Call (813) 783-6124 to register beforehand.

Oct. 5 – Lions Club Sight Program – The Zephyrhills Lions Club, located at 5827 Dean Dairy Road, will be accepting applications for its Sight Program from 9-11:30 a.m. Applicants must bring required documents, which can be found on www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/zephyrhills. The program is open to all Pasco County residents in need of basic eye care. Contact the clubhouse at (813) 788-1441 for information.Oct. 6 – Bountiful Fall Salad – Take

the autumn harvest and combine it into a colorful and healthy salad. This free program will be held from 1-2 p.m. Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’ Creation Health Wellness Center, 38233 Daughtery Road. Call (813) 779-6476 for information and required reservations.

Oct. 7 – Yard and Bake Sale – A huge yard and bake sale will be held from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel. Contact [email protected] for information.

Oct. 9 – Living Food Bakery – Get a taste of the newest bakery in Zephyrhills that offers healthy eating options. Limited samples provided. This free program will be held from 4-5 p.m. at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills’ Creation Health Wellness Center, 38233 Daughtery Road. Call (813) 779-6476 for information and required reservations.

Oct. 12 – Bingo With A French Flair – Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will host Bingo in the Creation Café from 2-3 p.m. at 7050 Gall Blvd. Attendees will enjoy homemade French pastries and coffee while they learn about PatientSecure from Mike Vanderbilt, Patient Access Director. The new technology, which was installed earlier this year, provides an extra layer of identity protection for patients every time they come to the hospital. Bingo winners will receive small prizes. Call (877) 534-3108 to register and for information.

Oct. 14 – Fall Brewfest for Hospice – Grab your friends and raise a glass to support Gulfside Hospice at the Fall Brewfest at the Zephyrhills Community Event Venue, 5200 Airport Road from 3-7 p.m. The outdoor beer festival will feature craft beers from local breweries, live music, vendors and food trucks. All event proceeds will benefit Gulfside. Single tickets are $25, doubles for $45 and a 6-pack for $125. Must be 21 or older to attend. Visit BrewfestforHospice.org for tickets and information. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more events visit www.pasconewspubs.com

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I have never been a big fan of the National Football League. I have a much deeper love for youth football right up through the awesome college level. What has been happening now to the NFL to me is not about politics, even though some want to say it is. It’s not about who said what to who. It’s about disrespecting our flag and what our country represents. It’s a total disrespect for the servicemen and women who defend it and those veterans who have defended it in the past. My parents always told me to stand up for what I believe in but at a pro football game is neither the time nor place. If you want to get on your soapbox do it someplace else. Ticket holders, fans and advertisers paid big money to see football at the professional level and they are not getting their money’s worth.

This has never been an issue since I can remember. Sunday was always a big day to worship, eat a big meal and watch one of several pro football games on TV later in the day. So here comes mister make-a-name-for-myself Colin Kaepernick who decides to make a personal statement

while receiving a whopper of a paycheck while working for the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 season. He also decided to voluntarily leave the team at the end of the season. At the time I don’t think his teammates shared his passion and I think he knew he was probably on the verge of getting canned. By the way, since leaving the 49ers none of the other 31 NFL teams have signed him to play.

When I worked in the corporate world I was a representative of the company on and off the clock. If I disrespected my company in any way including social media I probably would have gotten a warning or maybe been terminated effective immediately. It’s a shame the actions of a few cast a shadow on the whole organization.

Isn’t it strange the way Tim Tebow was treated? It seems like this is a real-life battle between two totally different causes. The good very rarely gets mentioned and now, like sheep, many are getting on the bandwagon to join the cause to take a knee during the national anthem. Our forefathers would be disappointed.

There really is something good to come out of this.

I will not and never will support something I don’t believe in. I will gladly give my hard earned money to support those who support this country, our values and our troops. I am proud to be an American but I do have compassion for things that occurred in the past.

Maybe Tebow brought attention to the knee thing in the NFL but he was certainly not the first. The current situation is definitely not the direction Tebow was pointing toward. He was truly giving the glory to the God. That’s one cause I will always support.

Take A Stand For The Anthem

Commentary

First Things FirstGreg First

Editor, Your article about the charging stations “Bank, Dealership Plug Into Future” (Sept. 21, 2017) was very interesting. Did you know there are four charging stations at the Walmart in Zephyrhills? They are located on the south side next to the pick-up area. After

the storm, it would be nice to see more information on things that would work with solar panels. I read both Dade City and Zephyrhills papers every week. They are delivered each week to the Humana center in Zephyrhills. Thank you for all the information on local activities.

Bill White

Letter To The Editor...


A common misperception is that heart disease is a man’s disease. Since 1984, more women than men have died each year due to heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in American women. A recent survey conducted by the American Heart Association showed that awareness of heart disease in women is slowly increasing, but is still lacking in minority populations.

Heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when blood fl ow in the coronary arteries supplying the heart is blocked due to buildup of plaque. Risk factors include advancing age, family history of heart disease, smoking, alcohol excess, physical inactivity, obesity and stress. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes also increase your risk for heart disease.

Chest pain described as a heavy pressure or squeezing sensation is the most common symptom of a heart attack. However, women may also have atypical symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, upper body discomfort, unusual fatigue or breaking out into a cold sweat. It is important for women to recognize these warning symptoms of a heart attack and to seek emergent care to receive life-saving treatment.

Heart disease can be prevented by living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are a few heart healthy living recommendations:

• Eat a diet high in fi ber, but low in salt, refi ned sugars, saturated and trans fats

• Stop cigarette smoking and avoid secondhand tobacco smoke

• Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily

• Maintain a healthy weight• Limit alcohol to one drink a day• Reduce stress through relaxation

techniques and a positive attitude. • Take your medications for high blood

pressure or high cholesterol without fail• Know your numbers like blood

pressure, blood sugar readings, cholesterol levels and body mass index through regular screenings at your doctor’s offi ce.

Dr. Raj is now located at 37740 Meridian Avenue in Dade City.

Heart Disease In Women

Health And

Wellnessby Jayapriya Raj, M.D.

Board Certified Internal MedicineDade City Primary Care

HEART DISEASE IS THE NO. 1 KILLER OF WOMEN

ZHS Student Arrested On Charges Of Molestation

A 15-year-old male student faces three felony charges following two incidents last week at Zephyrhills High School.

A Pasco Sheriff’s Office report said the student was arrested Sept. 21 and charged with one count of kidnap to commit or facilitate the commission of a felony and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim between 12-15 years of age.

The Zephyrhills Free Press does not identify juveniles unless they have been charged as adults.

A witness observed the 237-pound defendant allegedly forcing a 14-year-old girl into a bathroom whereupon he reportedly kissed and fondled her under her clothing and against her will. The defendant then reportedly made the girl perform a sex act. The report said the lewd acts took place at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 19, at the school at 6335 12th St.

The victim personally knows the defendant.

In a noncustodial interview on Sept. 21, the defendant reportedly admitted to guiding the victim into the bathroom but stated the sexual act was consensual.

The sheriff’s report indicated a second lewd act involving the two teenagers occurred Sept. 20 at the school. The report states the defendant grabbed the girl’s leg and vaginal area in a classroom before she pushed him away.

The defendant admitted to meeting the victim in a classroom but denied touching her on that day.

ZHS Principal Angie Stone said she could not provide any additional information about the incident at her school, but pointed out that as soon as school officials learned it allegedly happened, it was immediately turned over to the School Resource Officer and investigated by detectives from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Staff Report

Free Well Water Testing Kits The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative

Extension Service is offering free, private well water testing kits for owners whose wells flooded due to Hurricane Irma. The water sampling test kits are available Sept. 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to noon at the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office, located at 36702 S.R. 52 in Dade City.

“Following a flood event, residents should assume their well water is contaminated until tested,” said Diane Boellstorff, water resource specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. “You should not use water from a flooded

well for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing your teeth or even bathing until you are satisfied it is not contaminated.”

Kits are first-come, first-serve, and only 60 kits are available. Instructions are included with the kits.

The Pasco Extension Office will collect the water samples on Oct. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon. Kits received after that date will not be accepted for testing. Virginia Tech will analyze the samples for coliform bacteria. Water quality results will be confidential and will be emailed or mailed to residents’ homes.


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that he is wearing the chief’s badge, he has an important task ahead.

“I certainly want to make him proud,” Brewer said as he got emotional. “I will do whatever I can to make that happen. He told me to always do the right thing and no matter how hard that is, you will always get through it. That is a huge lesson I follow every day.”

Spina was emphatic in his choice of Brewer for the job.

“It is without any hesitation that I recommend his appointment to you,”

Spina said.Following the recommendation from

Spina, council didn’t immediately take a vote as a parade of citizens and members of the Zephyrhills Police Department came forward to explain why Brewer was the man for the job.

“I don’t even know if I can describe how that support feels,” Brewer said. “Never did I expect that outpouring of community support. It’s overwhelming. Emotionally, I can’t describe how it feels.”

Amy Chappell, who has worked and volunteered in the city for the last three decades, said the people of Zephyrhills look to a police chief to protect their quality of life.

“This man has the talents it takes to bring this city together for the greater good,” Chappell said. “We need it and we want it.”

Councilman Ken Burgess, who cast the lone vote against appointing Brewer, said the naming of a police chief is a very difficult decision. He said it was his responsibility to do his research, listen to people and in the end, decide what is best for the city.

“In our society, I believe our next chief will face challenges that previous chief never faced or had to deal with,” Burgess said. “He will have to have a multitude of resources and a willingness to embrace them. From all that, I felt this was an opportune time to possibly look at things from a new philosophy and perspective.”

Burgess used an analogy of how the Tampa Buccaneers needed a new coach and a new look to get the next level and win the Super Bowl XXXVII. He believes a new face from outside the ZPD would

take the department to the next level.K-9 Officer Lorenzo Limoges, a lifetime

resident of Zephyrhills, explained that under Brewer’s leadership through Hurricane Irma, the department had the best display of teamwork he has ever been a part of.

“I respect Derek Brewer and I respect the job he has done,” Limoges said. “I came here and took a $2 pay cut because of this city, the lifestyle and the people who are here. If you make a decision tonight based on a political reason or other reasons other than this city of Zephyrhills, then I’m sad for you.

“The only thing you need to be thinking about as you sit in those chairs is Zephyrhills and where we are going from here. I speak not only for me, but for nearly every officer we have and they showed their support for Derek and the agency.”

Limoges had a conclusion to his statement that was directed at Burgess’ analogy.

“I agree that Tampa Bay had a great team and they had a great coach, but the next year they didn’t,” he said.

Zephyrhills Police Captain Reggie Roberts, another homegrown product of Zephyrhills, let council know that being the Chief of Police in his hometown has always been a dream of his.

“That was a dream of mine,” Roberts said. “I really wanted to do that, but when I got to know Derek Brewer, my name wasn’t in the hat and I’ll tell you why.

“I’m passionate about this community. I’m passionate about this job. When I got to know the man I saw how passionate he was and saw his hard work in this department. I believe in doing what’s

right. I think that’s what Mr. Spina’s recommendation is asking of you tonight, to do what is right for Zephyrhills and this department.”

Roberts said not chasing his dream was a difficult choice, but the right decision.

“It’s not easy to give up a dream and push yourself aside to pull for the other guy,” Roberts said. “I did that because I believe in him 110 percent. The right thing to do tonight is to make him Chief of Police so we can get to work.”

While his officers supported him, Brewer had a message for them.

“I am extremely proud of them and I’ve never been prouder to be part of the Zephyrhills Police Department,” Brewer said. “I love being here and I love working with them. That is why I want to be part of this.”

Publix Supermarket Manager Mickey McPhee also touted Brewer pointing out how he and his department assisted with his store closing prior to Hurricane Irma and how they protected it prior to its reopening.

“Anytime we needed the police department, they have been great and it’s his leadership that makes it great,” McPhee said.

Brewer has an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Hillsborough Community College. He attended the Senior Leadership Training program at the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville. He attended the Florida Police Chiefs Executive Leadership training in 2014 and graduated from the Command Officer Management Program at Saint Leo University in July. He is scheduled to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University in December.

Brewer • Continued from Page 1A

Although he was the lone dissenting vote to name Derek Brewer the new Zephyrhills Police Chief, City Councilman Ken Burgess vowed his continued support of the chief and the department.

Councilman Charlie Proctor congratulates newly appointed Police Chief Derek Brewer on Monday night.

Zephyrhills’ ownSummer Concert Series

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County Hikes Stormwater Fees

Pasco County Commissioners voted on Sept. 19 to increase storm-water management fees for the third time in 10 years. Commissioners said the funds are urgently needed to pay for the design of capital projects and to speed up crucial maintenance.

The board decided the hike was necessary after evaluating staff recommendations that spelled out increasing regulatory requirements and the need to replace or clean culverts, roadside swales and to pay for capital projects engineering.

In 2007 the county pegged the

Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) rate at $47 and raised it again two years ago to $57. During the meeting commissioners approved a 67 percent increase to $95 per ERU. The ERU is based upon a median 2,890 square-foot area of single-family, residential developed property. It is a flat rate for each unincorporated single-family residence. Businesses will also be charged the $95 rate based upon square footage.

The proposed work includes improving the drainage in the Zephyr Creek area.

The total value of assessment is $25 million and the county is hoping he Southwest Florida Water Management District can help with additional funds to pay for the improvements.

Staff Report

Continued Drainage Problems Cited For Need

Credit Union Contest Winner

Congratulations to Betty Bollinger, the latest Contest Winner at San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union. Her name was drawn from members who were enrolled in the credit union’s Bill Pay Service by Aug. 3. Betty is now the proud owner of a Bose Wireless Soundtouch presented to her by Kristin Mescall, SACFCU vice president and Wesley Chapel area manager. The credit union holds a quarterly contest for participating members to win prizes. Next quarter, members will be entered to win a Samsung Tablet each time they make a signature purchase with their debit card. Photo Provided


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Zephyrhills and power was restored, collections were renewed in full force.

Dozens of boxes, enough to fill at least half of a 26-foot cargo truck, were collected Wednesday by the Salvation Army for delivery to the ravaged area around Marco Island, according to Al Stone.

An ambassador of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, Stone serves on the relief effort’s advisory committee alongside Donna Moyer of the Elks Lodge and Zephyrhills High School’s Senior Class President Annica Morgan.

Organizations participating in the effort included the Zephyrhills Ministerial Association, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Zephyrhills Historical Association, ZHS Junior ROTC, Boy Scout Troop #72 and Kiwanis Club.

Stone said collections really ramped up around Saturday and is proud of

everything the local groups collected. Items such as non-perishable food, water, toiletries, first aid, infant needs, pet supplies, clothing and more began adding up after representatives from the clubs and businesses set out to aid those in need.

Sun State Aluminum graciously provided warehouse space to house the collections for a short period, Stone said. Volunteers came by the warehouse to categorize and box the collected items.

“Those of us who took time to help others walked away with a real feeling of accomplishment, and not just for us, but for the Zephyrhills community who came together when it was needed,” Stone said.

The ZDRE will be collecting until Saturday, so be sure to look for the collection boxes and help to fill them. Any of the aforementioned businesses should have a collection box or can provide information on where to bring items.

Relief • Continued from Page 1A

From left, Annica Morgan, ZHS senior class president; Donna Moyer of the Elks Lodge; Al Stone; a volunteer from a local boy scout troop; and Rod Rehrig of the Zephyrhills Historical Association and the Marine Corps League.

A handful of local organizations, clubs and business came together to form the Zephyrhills Disaster Relief Effort to collect items for Hurricane Irma victims south of Pasco County.

Photos Provided


Area’s Economy HummingA lot of growth has occurred in

Zephyrhills over the past year and the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce wants people to know about it.

That is why the Chamber will host a summit at Scotland Yards Country Club on Oct. 4 to give people the opportunity to feel the pulse of the city’s economy.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with sponsors including Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and the Zephyrhills Economic Development Council.

Featured presenters will include the City of Zephyrhills, who will discuss “A Business Friendly Environment” and state and county representatives, who will discuss business in Pasco.

Representatives in the medical field will also make presentations and public-private partnerships will be discussed. And there will be a presentation by Hear It First! Medical BizWalk Results.

Here’s a look at what’s been happening in Zephyrhills:

FHZ recently completed a $5 million construction and renovation project on its emergency room. The hospital, located at 7050 Gall Blvd., has a new and improved emergency department because of the

18-month project. The emergency room, which is basically new, allows staff to work more efficiently and provides greater privacy for patients, said FHZ’s Director of Marketing Susan Frimmel.

Two nationally known businesses – Wawa and Culver’s – recently announced plans to come to Zephyrhills. Each scheduled to open in 2018, they will both be located on part of the former Hercules Park property at the intersection of Gall Boulevard and County Road 54.

Several vacant storefronts on Fifth Avenue, which has long been considered Zephyrhills’ Main Street, also filled up this past year with businesses including: Creative Souls Café, Outside The Box, K&M Treasures & Antiques and Cutting Up Fabrics.

Local Jodi Biston is working on opening a new entertainment venue, The Vault, in early 2018 at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sixth Street.

Registration for the Economic Summit is $8 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Contact Chamber Director Melonie Monson at (813) 782-1913 or [email protected] to RSVP.

Scotland Yards is located at 9424 U.S. 301, Dade City.

Out With The Old

Demolition on the old city hall is nearly complete as of Tuesday afternoon. Construction workers said the demolition debris should be cleared from the site by sometime next week. Shown is the building’s original entrance at 5335 Eighth St. Photo by Keri McAlpine

Online Voter Registration Will Be Available Oct. 1 The Florida Online Voter Registration

System will be operational on Oct. 1, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Florida joins 35 other states and the Dis-trict of Columbia in offering an on-line op-tion to register to vote.

Floridians who have been issued a Flori-da Driver License or Florida Identification Card may use the paperless internet op-

tion in which the signature on file with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will become the official voter reg-istration signature which is on file.

Online applications may be used for both new registrants and existing voters who need to update their record.

“Because of the convenience of an on-line registration system, we welcome this addition to the current paper application

system,” Corley said. “Online voter regis-tration expands access while harnessing technology to increase efficiencies and saving taxpayer dollars.”

The implementation of the Florida Online Voter Registration system is in re-sponse to Senate Bill 228 which Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on May 15, 2015. Se-curity measures to protect the personal in-formation of the applicants, and to insure

the truth and accuracy of the applicant have been put in place.

Online registration has been shown to eliminate common errors such as missing information needed to validate a registra-tion application, and the misinterpretation of information on paper applications.

Information will be available soon at www.pascovotes.com and registertovote-florida.gov.

by Joe Potter


the last five years. Anderson, a member of the Nashville

Songwriters Hall of Fame, performed for nearly 90 minutes and got the crowd dancing to his country hits including “Straight Tequila Night” and “Swingin”.

Oakley looked out on the packed house prior to the show with an appreciative grin and described the support in simple Ron Oakley fashion, “It’s just awesome.

“It’s because we live in the part of Florida [that] we live in. Dade City and east Pasco County provides the greatest support we could ever give,” he said.

At the close of his performance Anderson acknowledged Oakley’s effort in making the evening a success.

“Thank you all for always coming out and supporting these great causes,” Anderson told the audience. “I know Ronnie does a great job with this and I’m always happy to be back in Dade City.”

The proceeds from this year’s concert and auction will benefit Dade City Kiwanis Foundation, Bayfront Health Dade City Foundation, Sunrise of Pasco, Boys and Girls Club of Lacoochee, Humane Society of Pasco County, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Heart Institute, Thomas Promise and Habitat for Humanity.

“What they do in their own way reaches to all citizens here in our county,” Oakley praised. “You can’t say much more than they are awesome.”

This was the first year Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco was a benefactor from the annual concert and Executive Director John Finnerty couldn’t have been more honored.

“To benefit from this is tremendous,” Finnerty said as he waited for the show to start. “We’re going to be building four houses this year. Every penny from

this will go toward the construction of new houses.”

Finnerty said his organization has constructed 140 houses in east and central Pasco County and the addition of four more will benefit the whole community.

The Thomas Promise Foundation, which provides backpacks of three meal and snacks to 1,500 school children across Pasco County, is also a recipient of this year’s benefit.

“We’re extremely appreciative,” said Diana Thomas, the organization’s founder. “It goes a long way. The proceeds from this event will cover a month’s worth of food for these kids. That is a huge impact for our organization.

“Any support is appreciated, but support from this is a big one for us.”

Concert • Continued from Page 1A

John Anderson belts out one his country hits during his sold-out benefit concert at the Dan Cannon Auditorium on Sept. 21.

Members of the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse served the meals last week during the benefit event.

Concert organizer Ron Oakley gets a good look at a autographed cardboard cutout of John Anderson during the benefit auction held prior to the show.


Roy Hardy Laid To Rest

Roy Hardy was remembered last week as Dade City’s ‘patron saint,’ a man who was known for helping lay the foundation upon which many of today’s civic and charitable works are based and as someone who would help anyone in need.

Nearly 300 people made their way through the chapel of Hodges Family Funeral Home on Friday evening to pay their respects to the 94-year-old humanitarian who died Sept. 19.

Approximately 150 people gathered the next morning to hear Hardy eulogized before he was laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Martha, at Floral Memory

Gardens. She preceded him in death in 2005.

Roy and Martha Hardy moved to Dade City from Brooksville in 1949. They operated a hardware store and he joined the Dade City Kiwanis Club where he maintained a perfect attendance record until shortly before his death earlier this month.

After helping a family that had lost their belongings to a house fire the couple formed the Hardy Benevolent Trust Fund in 1984. Money was raised through fish frys and other events. It is estimated the Hardy fund has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and helped hundreds of east Pasco residents.

Among those paying respects Friday at Hodges were Mike Carr, Bob Hatfield, Wilton Simpson, Jeanie Larkin Weightman, Bill Dayton, Pat Carver and Barbara Sessa.

“Roy was the patron saint of Dade City,” said local banker Mike Carr, who is a member of the Dade City Kiwanis Club. “The residents of Dade City are going to sorely miss him because he was really the driving force behind a lot of charity work in the area.”

Hatfield, who works for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, also heaped praise on Hardy.

“Roy, in cooperation with several others, set the stage for this period of charitable good works and actually if there’s a legacy that Roy has, it’s setting that tone that these communities have bought into,” Hatfield said.

“If you look at the success of the Kiwanis Club and the others and the kind of civic works that get done you can really attribute those roots in many ways to Roy Hardy,” Hatfield said. He had known Hardy since arriving in dade City in 1969.

“He was a great man,” said Simpson, a

state senator who represents District 10, which includes Citrus, Hernando and part of Pasco County.

“He stood for more people and probably raised more money for charity and was one of the kindest and most philanthropic people you could ever meet. Also, he had nearly 70 years of perfect attendance in Kiwanis,” Simpson said. “I would say that Roy Hardy was an inspiration to all of us. He lived such a meaningful life,” said Weightman, who knew Hardy for about 50 years. Her husband, Thomas Weightman, knew Hardy longer because for a time he worked with him in the hardware store. “We both admired him and he did so much good for our community,” she said.

“I have known him and worked with him in many of his charitable barbeques. He made tremendous contributions to the community in many different ways,” said attorney Bill Dayton, who knew Hardy

for about 60 years.“He did a lot of things that didn’t get

publicized at all at his wish. He was the sort of person who did good in a secret way so as to not draw attention onto himself. He just did a great deal of good to the community at large,” Dayton said.

The Hardys even sold shoes in their hardware store.

“He was the kindest, most generous, most honest man,” said Pat Carver, a member of the Dade City Garden Club. “One time he wouldn’t sell a pair of shoes to one of my children because they didn’t fit them just right.”

Hardy loved east Pasco and the area loved him back.

“Anytime we saw him coming down the sidewalk at City Hall we were ready to go for our checkbooks when we saw him,” said Sessa, who retired last year as San Antonio’s city clerk.

Humanitarian Helped Many East Pasco Residents

Roy Hardy was known for his annual Kiwanis fish fry to help children in the community.

by Joe Potter

Photo by Richard K. Riley

Roy Hardy was actively involved in many community service projects throughout his life. Photo by Joe Potter


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