Volume 22 Issue 19
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September 13, 2014
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Local Woman Turns Her Own Relentless Reality Into A Positive Message Any early childhood traumatic event that includes the loss of even one loved one can have lasting negative effects on anyone as they grow. In many cases, these events can lead to years of counseling and medication. Some, understandably, are never able to cope and have trouble living normal lives. However, one Wesley Chapel woman has been spreading the word that it’s possible to move on and lead a positive life, despite devastating personal tragedy, especially after events that shocked the New Tampa community were revisited in recent months. Seven Oaks resident Jan Soran — who today holds two Master’s degrees and is a human resources director for a national company — self-published her first book, entitled Relentless Reality, in October 2012. The book details the former Janice Rooney’s experience of walking into her Seminole, FL, home at age 12 and finding her mother Paula lifeless on the kitchen floor, in a pool of her own blood, from a gunshot wound. Jan later found her twin brother Dave the same way in a bathroom. Her older brother Paul, then
14, had shot both in the head with a .38 revolver that belonged to their father Bob and then drove away in the family van, parked it in Seffner and took his own life. The story of the Rooney murders made headlines on July 10, 1985. Jan had spent that night at a neighbor’s house with a friend. She says that she and her brothers were supposed to leave for camp the next day. She woke up early to go home and pack when she discovered what had happened. “Then, all hell broke loose,” Soran recalls. “I ran out of the house screaming and started knocking on doors.” Soran also called her father, an Indian Rocks Beach firefighter, and police were dispatched. Paul had left a note in the family’s candle shop Candle Accents, where he also worked with his mother. The note was addressed to his father, his sister, a fellow candle shop worker and “everyone.” “I know sorry isn’t right, but I’m sorry I messed up your lives,” Paul wrote. I didn’t really mess up mine anymore, now that I’m dead. I didn’t want to kill Dave, but he could hear me kill mom, so he had to go.” Reports from that day describe Paul
as a “loner” who had received counseling after what was described as a failed suicide attempt two years earlier, but also as a smart kid who wanted to join the U.S. Air Force. Although Paul was always “quiet,” Soran Seven Oaks resident says that she never Jan Soran self-pubgot a sense something lished her first book, was wrong with him, Relentless Reality, or that he was capable in 2012. of what he did. Following that tragedy, Soran says that she and her father moved to another home and he remarried six months later. Soran says that her relationship with her father already had not been a good one because he had problems with alcohol and was abusive to her mother and brothers. She says the relationship didn’t improve after the shooting and that the two haven’t spoken in years. Relentless Reality is the chronicle of Soran’s life since that grisly July day in 1985. Soran says that recent local tragedies, such as the Julie Schenecker (the
Despite our still-sweltering temperatures, to celebrate the beginning of fall, the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) is putting on its sixth annual Fall Festival, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Ciao! Italian Bistro in the Shops at Wiregrass mall). On Saturday, October 11, local residents can look forward to a FREE day of live music and entertainment for all ages at The Grove shopping plaza, sponsored by
Javic Homes (see page 51), Wesley Chapel Nissan and The Grove. There, of course, also will be carnival-style food and beverages for sale, and plenty of other vendor tents. The WCCC expects to draw more than 10,000 attendees to this year’s event. Although last year’s Fall Fest took place during the course of an entire weekend, to better serve the community and make it easier for the vendors and sponsors, this year’s event will take place on just one day. “The Festival is now just a one-day
Local News, Business & Education Updates
Neighborhood Magazine
event,” says WCCC executive director Hope Allen. “But, we will still have a great line up for a full day of entertainment.” Headlining the performers this year is Bryan Edwards, who was nominated twice for the 2013 Grammy Awards. His album “Nothing Left to Burn” was nominated for Country Album of the Year and his song “Still” was nominated for Country Song of the Year. The Florida native also earned his first major songwriting credit on Jason Aldean’s 2011 CMA Album of the Year, “My Kinda Party” as a co-writer on the smash hit song “If She Could See Me Now.” Also appearing this year is 10th Concession, a Tampa-based rock/pop breath of fresh air fronted by brothers Ian and Evan Koteles. The band has earned titles such as “Ultimate Local Band” by the Tampa Bay Times and “Best Indie Rock/pop Band” by Creative Loafing (2010-13!). The Fall Festival will again feature the annual “Wing Battle” between the area’s chicken wing-oriented eateries. Last
By Matt Wiley
recently convicted Tampa Palms mother who murdered her two teenage children) case, prompted her to get in touch with the New Tampa Neighborhood News to share her story to help others. “The hardest part was having to read the manuscript so many times,” Soran explains. “I’ve already lived (this tragedy) once and still relive it every day, but rereading it was hard. But, this is my life. I’m ok. I’m still here.” See ‘Soran’ on pg. 43
Fall Festival Returns To Wesley Chapel On Oct. 11!
Also Inside This Issue!
Poor Turnout In Primary Election, More BBD Widening On The Horizon, New Tampa Athletes Excel, Plus Lots Of Local Business Features & More!
Recapping The WC Jazz Fest, Urban Renewal Hair Can Redo Your Do, Rotary Raises Dog Park Money With Concert, Plus Neighborhood Nibbles & Biz Bytes!
Pages 1-40
Pages 41-64
year’s stand-out performances came from Beef O’Brady’s and Ker’s Wing House. Who will woo the judges this year? Rotary’s event co-chair Sabrina di Roma says the Wesley Chapel Rotary will again host the annual Little Miss & Mr. Pumpkin Patch Pageant (photo), a Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides, and this year will also sponsor a pet contest and the first-ever Rotary Village for kids! For more information, including festival schedules and sponsorship opportunities, please visit Facebook.com/ WesleyChapelFallFestival.