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Egg hunts and services planned By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Easter season, you’ll find plenty of options across the region. There are fun events, such as Easter crafts and egg hunts, solemn Good Friday events and Easter service celebrations. Here are few highlights from around the area covered by The Laker/Lutz News. They are presented here, in chronological order. • The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, has created a new event called the Jelly Bean Fling that will debut on April 8, and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Natalie and Nolan Kassabaum pause for a photo op with Jasper the Easter Bunny, who will be one of the highlights at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village’s Jelly Bean Fling, set for April 8.
Admission is $5 for anyone over 5 years old, and parking is free. The schedule begins with “Breakfast with Jasper, the Easter Bunny” at 9 a.m.A pancake breakfast, with bacon or sausage, will be served for $3 each.After breakfast, kids can make their own Easter bonnet, with hats provided to decorate, while supplies last. Then, they can march in the Easter Parade with Mr.Tommy. There will be Easter egg hunts, with four different age groups, up to age 12, which will have staggered start times, beginning at noon. Other highlights will include face painting, a petting zoo, touch a truck, a bounce See EASTER, page 11A
Hungry Harry’s big heart receives community honor By B.C. Manion
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INSIDE, PAGE 1B
Instead of going to their bank, law office, hospital or real estate company — or dozens of other businesses — these men and women showed up at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que on a recent sunny and clear Wednesday morning. They were there to honor Harry Wright and his son-in-law, Chad Hudson, for their restaurant’s longstanding contributions to community life in Land O’ Lakes. Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s community affairs committee presented a sign declaring Hungry Harry’s as “The Heart of Pasco.” “Hungry Harry’s has been actively involved in the community and has given back to the community in countless ways,” Mary Lynn Gorsline said, as she read from a letter explaining why the restaurant was singled out for the honor. Sandy Graves, also on the committee, presented a plaque to Wright and Hudson. After the formalities, those attending huddled around Wright and Hudson for a group photo, and then the two men posed with individuals and groups who wanted a picture to mark the occasion. Wright said the recognition wasn’t necessary, but he was obviously pleased. “Just being part of the community is enough acknowledgement for me.To have this many business people acknowledge me, is really good,”Wright said. He’s also happy that his son-in-law, who runs the operations now, has kept up the restaurant’s tradition of giving back to the community. Hungry Harry’s, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., has a long history in Land O’ Lakes. When the restaurant opened, 33 years ago, it was a very lean operation. Just Wright, his wife, Sherry, and one employee handled all of the chores. Over time, Hungry Harry’s has become a mainstay at charitable events in the community. When volunteers for Coastal Cleanup
B.C. MANION
Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce gather to honor Harry Wright, left and Chad Hudson, with the Central Pasco Chamber’s ‘Heart of Pasco Award.’
finish cleaning up, for instance, they’re rewarded with a meal supplied by Hungry Harry’s.That tradition dates more than 20 years. Wright estimates the restaurant has been involved in 5,000 fundraisers.At the 30-year mark Hungry Harry’s had given away about 250,000 meals, he said. Like most businesses, Hungry Harry’s has had its successes and setbacks. At one point, when a portion of the restaurant’s property was taken by eminent domain to widen U.S. 41 — also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard — Hungry Harry’s was closed for eight months. At another point,Wright was knocked out of commission by a heart attack. When the recession hit, it wiped out nearly all of the restaurant’s commercial
catering and dealt a serious blow to its walk-in trade,Wright said. But, the family has stuck together, and through hard work, it has weathered the storms,Wright said. It now has a thriving catering service for weddings, which Hudson developed, which catered more than 400 weddings last year, Wright said. Opening a barbecue restaurant was never part of a grand plan,Wright said. “I was running the world’s largest service center and tire store in Tampa. My boss wouldn’t pay me my $11,800 bonus,” he said. So, he turned in his two-week notice. He and Sherry had five kids at the time. “She was really concerned and upset.
Contract approved for Pasco’s new administrator
from Texas A & M University. He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and also commanded three Air National Guard units. His work experience includes engineering positions Dan Biles in the private as well as public sector in Texas and Washington State. He was hired in 2014 as the first deputy county manager of Jefferson County, Alabama, which was newly formed. Previously, he worked for four years in Corpus Christi, Texas, as director of engineering services and executive director of public works. He also worked for private engineering companies in Washington State including Maverick Engineering Inc., and SBI Developing LLC. As Jefferson County’s deputy county manager, Biles led the County Infrastructure Group, which included environmental services, roads and transportation, general services, land planning, inspection services and stormwater. According to his resume, he developed a litter collection program that removed more than 100 tons of litter in its first four months.
See HONOR, page 11A
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bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
By Kathy Steele ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County commissioners signed off on a contract to hire Dan Biles as the next Pasco County administrator, with an annual salary of $220,000. County commissioners agreed to hire him on March 14, when he competed against four other candidates at a special public meeting in New Port Richey. On March 28, commissioners made Biles’ hiring official by approving his contract. Biles is scheduled to begin his new duties on May 1. However, his three-year contract also requires that he spend a few days in Pasco County before then, to take part in budget discussions with county staff for fiscal year 2018. Biles is leaving his job as deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, to step into a position being vacated by Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker. Baker opted to retire after four years, and not seek a contract renewal. There will be some overlap of time between Baker’s departure and Biles’ arrival. Baker’s contract ends in mid-July. “I think we’re extremely fortunate to
have such a strong county administrator coming here,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.“He is very impressive. He’s going to help us take Pasco to new heights.” In addition to his annual salary, Biles’ contract includes benefits for a total package of about $278,000. The county will pay $10,000 in moving expenses and up to $2,000 for temporary housing. Biles also will receive an automobile allowance of $450 a month, term life insurance of $100,000, and retirement benefits. Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley wants the county to schedule meet-andgreets with Biles, on the east and west sides of the county. When county commissioners interviewed potential candidates, they anticipated two days of interviews. But, Biles scored so well on the first day, they opted to immediately offer him the job. “I think he’s the right fit for us,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. Biles holds two civil engineering degrees
See CONTRACT, page 11A