Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 34

2 Tuesday, July 29, 2008 I St. Petersburg Times PAC OPINION jp tampabay.comopinion Guest column I Rao Musunuru, M.D. spite sptihig PHGG mm On my way home from a board meeting recently, I thought about Pasco-Hernando Community College and its unique role in our area. As a member of the District Academy, a place where senior citizens enroll in courses for the sheer thrill of learning while enjoying a network of like-minded and active peers. The college offers cultural opportunities through the performing arts series and its art gallery exhibits.

If you have a moment, stop by one of our campuses for a visit. You may be impressed by our new buildings, surprised at our growth and awed by the beauty of our campuses. We are here to serve you. Like our motto says, we hope that you "find yourself here." Dr. Rao Musunuru has been a member of the District Board of Trustees at Pasco-Hernando Community College since 1999.

He served as the chairman of the board twiee. Our health occupation programs, including nursing, dental and paramedic courses, are acclaimed and our law enforcement academy is renowned. Residents who are interested in finding immediate, more highly paid positions in the work force have many options for technical training here at PHCC. The community is full of professionals, our neighbors and friends, who began successful careers at our college. Community members may take classes for personal enrichment and will find themselves at home on our campuses.

Despite many years of formal training to become a doctor, I never really updated my computer skills. I solve4 that by taking a class at PHCC PHCC also offers the Encore thousands of dollars avoiding on-campus living expenses. Bright Futures scholarships and Florida prepaid funds can be applied here as well, and the money in those programs takes students further with our more affordable price for credits. Our financial aid offices work hard to make college attainable for everyone while our foundation supports students through scholarships. Motivated high school students can enroll in a dual-enrollment program that allows them, at no cost, to begin work on college classes while still in high school.

Each year a group of ambitious high school students graduate from PHCC with an associate in arts degree made official after they receive their high school diplomas. placement in those institutions at the junior level. The same core courses required at the universities are available right here the same books, the same course numbers and the same curriculum. Community college credits, however, are offered at a fraction of the cost. University students often complain about sharing classes with hundreds of students while most PHCC classes are made up of 25 to 35 students, "a'range found in the classrooms of many exclusive private colleges, Additionally, our courses are taught by qualified and experienced faculty, not teaching assistants.

In fact, at PHCC, your instructor probably will know your name. Financially, our students save immense community pride. As Pasco and Hernando counties pushed into a new season of unprecedented growth, the college grew along with the region. Now, the college is expanding all three of its campuses in Dade City, Brooksville and New Port Richey as well as its center in Spring Hill. In the college's 41-year lifetime, thousands of graduates have passed through our doors and left with the education and training needed to pursue countless oppor- i tunities.

Yet, it seems that PHCC is a gem that remains undiscovered among many residents. Bright high school students intent on earning an increasingly elusive seat within Florida's university system should be aware that PHCC is a stepping-stone for tampabay.com for more Pasco County news From tho front pace Board of Trust- ees, I have been honored to help govern the institution and have delighted in its successes. y4 flv i The college I I I has come along Musunuru way since its charter in 1967 by the Florida Legislature and its home, a humble rented in Dade City. The citizens and business leaders of the community lobbied hard for that first location and the ground-breaking for the campus was a source of r( I'Hil Tte I V- JTSy U't mmm i a Jt at MOTHER continued from 1 Kb I Ingrid told deputies she would spend the night elsewhere and he could stay in the house. Richard was still living with his mother Saturday night when she picked him up from a bar and drove him home, the sheriff's report says.

After the fight that ensued, the report says, she was taken to the hospital with bruises. She declined to comment Big Green Egg is the World's best Smoker Grill, giving it unmatched cooking flex- ibility. You just can't beat the EGG1 when it comes to effortless cooking and sensational eating. 37838 Pasco Avenue Downtown Dade City a 352.567.8966 him to stay away from his mother. But a short time later, Ingrid filed a motion to lift the restraining order.

"I am not afraid of him and hope to help him she wrote in that plea. "He is a good person who made some bad choices, but I know he wants to get better and is sorry for his past actions." The next month, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 11 IMAGE continued from titntfnnnim Serving Up Great Food 8r Fun Now York deli-atyla Hot Paatrami Students show their love for Gulf High Corned Beef aandwichaa Preaaed Cuban eandwichee The New Oris ana Roast Beef Po'Boy Chicken Curry Swirl The quintessential Sagwood a mouthwatering pound and a half juncoost Pkwv 1 Na. it. skyscraper sandwich 3ndwich Free Sandwich! Buy Any Sandwich at Royular Prie Reiv Second One Free f(HFniat 1 J- fr 3T $2 Dollars i Good i Any Purchase Dagwood'a ma 51 days in jail and nine months of probation, according to court documents. But in July 2007, another fight erupted.

After Richard threatened to kill her, Ingrid got into a car and drove away, according to a sheriff's report. He placed nails behind her tires and threw a brick at her van as she left, she told deputies. He was not arrested after 1 MIKE PEASE Times Monday morning. McDuffie, who then invited the youngster to pitch the idea before the five-member City Council during a public meeting. Recently, several dozen folks gathered at Zephyrhills City Hall for the biweekly council meeting and watched Mitchell's PowerPoint presentation of the city flag project Most people couldn't tell, but the youngster was a nervous wreck.

He practiced his spiel about five times before the council meeting. And Mitchell wore his best button-down. And Mitchell's informative presentation rivaled that of a polished public speaker. He spoke with knowledge and confidence as he showed off each sample flag and explained the reasons behind its design. After the meeting, the young Dagwood Towards at in.

From left, Casey Pereira, 15, Kaylee Wolf, 16, Brittany Wright, 15, and Joe Wolf, father of Kaylee, paint an upstairs restroom at Uact i Free Combo Upgrade 1 BuyAnySandwiohand Oat 1 Sid and a Mad. Fountain Drink FREE i One coupon par customw pr vMt Not valid with any other otters. per vlert. Not oflflrs. SOLATUBE.

Innovation In Dayllghtlng. One coupon per raatomw vwt Not valid wiflt uny ottier oners. One coupon Dor customer valid with any ottier dagwoodd.uj9.com Gulf High in New Port Richey on 11 FLAG continued from 1 16540 Pointe Village Dr, Lute 6134260209 (Near teransExp across from Carrabba's Monday. Richard Vecsey remains in Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of $40,000 bail. He is charged with aggravated battery, battery by strangulation, false imprisonment and tampering with the witness to a crime.

Nomaan Merchant can be reached atnmerchantsptirnes.com or (727) 869-6244. staff restrooms. Today they're coming back for campus litter patrol. Joe Wolf, an active dad at the school, said he was impressed by the teens' hard work and desire to improve their school. "They're accomplishing something," said Wolf, who took the day off from work to volunteer.

"They're not in front of the TV. They're taking pride in what they're The fact that they're here and they don't have to be says it all." Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at sobcheksptimes.com or (813) 909-4614. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay. comschools.

up. The Moures enjoy traveling. Last month, Mitchell and his dad pulled out an atlas and planned a trip to the Grand Canyon. When it comes to geography, Mitchell is a whiz. Brian Moure laughed at the idea of Mitchell making any money on his Zephyrhills flag.

It's just a fun project, he said. There's no telling where this city flag project might go. At this point there's no known plan for the council to vote on the matter. It was just an idea for folks to think about And for Mitchell, that's fine with him. He's just excited to be starting a new chapter of his life: middle school.

Finally, after studying the world, on his own, for the bulk of his life, "I'm going to take a geography class," Mitchell said. in Dade City $90, which has at least one official wondering if the thieves are happy with their payoff after hoisting the 90-pound lids to the junkyard. "It weighs so much, I don't think it is worth the effort," Gil said. restroom walls. Most wore old T-shirts and pants for the occasion, which quickly became speckled (or worse) with the paint Lacking ladders, they climbed countertops and commodes to reach the highest points.

It wasn't easy work, and the students didn't have to be there. But they said they wouldn't have it anyotherway. "It's something we can do for our school. They've done so much for us," said junior Rhea Forbes. "I really do want to make the school better," added senior Matthew Ong.

"It's a benefit for the whole community." After finishing the student" restrooms, the teams tackled the ster confided, "I stumbled on a few words." "He has an expectation of greatness," said Bill Wolf, 44, Mitchell's junior Bible quiz coach, at his church. "He does things in a great way, for a great purpose." Like helping to lead his church's Bible team to the district and state competition, Wolf said. "He's one of the brightest kids in (the team), for sure." "He's just a great kid," said Lisa Owens who heads Victorious Life Church's junior Bible quiz team. "Always respectful, always well-mannered, always attentive." Mitchell was a gifted student at Wesley Chapel Elementary and a big soccer fan who wants to create video games or maybe flags when he grows Banner ideas fly from this boy's mind MB $1150 Not bad for a soon-to-be sixth- grader who has yet to take a geography class. Once, Mitchell and his fam ily visited Colorado and noticed a city flag waving in the breeze.

Why doesn't our town have its own flag? Mitchell asked his dad, Brian. After a bit of research, the youngster hatched a plan to create something unique. He designed 16 prototype flags for Zephyrhills featuring the city's round logo paired with shapes and vibrant colors. 'Yellow for the sunshine, green for the grass, trees and vegetation and blue for the (drinking) water," said Mitchell, who lives with his family in Wesley Chapel. Brian Moure floated the idea of a city flag to Mayor Cliff 1 2 I "i 1 OO I i in Affordable natural lighting solution Professionally installed in 2 hours Fits all roof types Have three Solatube Daylighting Systems Installed the same day and save $150 5 'W-'i BRIGHTER IDEAS Premier Solatube Dealer www.brlghterldea5fl.com brlghterideasflgmall.com (866) 942-4900 ASK ABOUT OUR SOLAR ATTIC FANS Cork: AUG 792220 01 I'm an avid musician.

play drams, bass guitar it rm getting to see aii ine snows 11 MANHOLE COVERS continued from 1 off with five manhole covers aaIPaaM t- i "I 5: A w.sm and sing vocals, itnaiv nut, so i love 'a Thieves make ing to published reports. "It sounds like it's a national problem," said Dade City police Chief Ray Velboom. Dade City police have alerted local metal recyclers of the thefts. The lids were not labeled with the city's name, according 1 before most anyone. 5 PVv to the Public Works Department Three of the covers were stolen from manholes elevated several feet off the ground, Velboom said.

The others covered street-level manholes in lightly traveled areas. The missing covers were quickly replaced so no one would fall into the holes, which run 5 to 10 feet deep. "Someone could really get hurt," Velboom said. "We're really concerned about the public's safety." Each lid costs the city about.