Elections official demonstrates new touch screen voting system

By MICHELLE JONES

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 23, 2001

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning showed the new touch screen voting machines to the members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce who attended Wednesday's meeting at First United Methodist Church of Land O'Lakes. He demonstrated one of the 1,455 machines that cost more than $4-million. The machines have backup systems so votes can't be lost if there is a power outage.

"We believe this is the best system out there," he said. "The visually impaired will be able to vote on this machine, by themselves, with the use of earphones."

He said that this was the first system certified in Florida.

"The 36 days after last year's election were the worst in my life," said Browning who has been in the election business for 24 years.

He added that the punch card system is a great system, unless it is a close election.

"My election day prayer is, Lord, I don't care who wins, just let them win, big," he said.

He said for the next two years his office will be educating people on the new system. "Where two or more are gathered we will educate them," he said.

The next meeting of the chamber will be noon Oct. 17 at the First United Methodist Church on U.S. 41, next to the chamber office. Jim Slaughter will talk about plans for the Pasco County Recreation Department. Cool Beans will cater the luncheon.

Septemberfest features family fun at Shady Hills

The Sixth Annual Shady Hills Septemberfest is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Shady Hills Family Center, 15925 Greenglen Lane. On Friday, from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. arts and crafts and food concessions will be available. A concert in the park is planned with Norm Brown, an Elvis impersonator, and the Wiley Fox band performing. On Saturday festivities are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A chili cook-off, activities for children, a car and truck show, arts and crafts, food concessions and performances by Norm Brown and Wiley Fox are on the agenda. A church service is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sunday and a pancake breakfast and gospel music featuring the Florida Diplomats and Cross Roads are planned. Norm Brown and Wiley Fox will also entertain. Activities will end at 3 p.m. For information, call (727) 856-9149.

Paradise Lakes resident honored for service

Bob Moore of Paradise Lakes received the Canadian Peace Keeping Service Medal for his work on an international peacekeeping mission.

"Over the years I have served with several peace keeping operations in North Africa, Egypt, and in the Gaza Strip," he said. "I also served with the United Nations in Cyprus."

Moore retired from the Canadian army as at lieutenant colonel in 1991 after serving 38 years. He retired to Florida in 1992 and is the director of public relations and editor of the Parrot newspaper at Paradise Lakes, a nudist resort in Land O'Lakes. John Mitchell, deputy commander of the Land O'Lakes chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, presented the medal to Moore during the September meeting of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

New Sertoma Club meetings under way

The Land O'Lakes Sertoma Club meets at 6 p.m. on Mondays at Steve's Fountainview Restaurant, 4111 U.S. 41 in Land O'Lakes. The Tampa East Sertoma Club members are helping develop this new group. Founded in 1912, members of this international club reach out to children as one of their community service projects. For information, call Terry Moses at (813) 996-2209.

Honorary mayoral candidate has fundraiser

Edna Dunston, who is running for honorary mayor of Land O'Lakes, will have a fundraising event from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Cool Beans on State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes. It will be a color and style workshop, and the cost is $40. Refreshments will be provided. Call Dunston at (813) 909-9798 for information.

Volunteer Fire Department offers T-shirts for sale

Members of the Land O'Lakes Volunteer Fire Department are raising money by selling T-shirts for $5. For information, call the fire department at (813) 996-2610.

Health fair hosts free medical screenings

Free health screenings will be available at the Land O'Lakes Community Health Fair at 1 p.m. Saturday at Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway. For information, call (813) 948-2311.

-- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.

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