For the 2023-24 school year, the eleven public schools located in New Tampa have chosen their nominees for the Hillsborough County Schools/Hillsborough Education Foundation “Excellence in Education” awards. In the Spring of 2024, the winners of the following three awards will be announced at the School District’s annual awards gala.
Each school nominated one candidate to be considered for the each of the three county-wide awards: Teacher of the Year, Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, and Instructional Support Employee of the Year.
Every person on this page was recognized by their peers for outstanding contributions to their respective schools.
Congratulations to all of the worthy nominees for these awards at every New Tampa public school. (Note-Only the Teacher of the year nominees at each school are shown, except at Wharton High).
Chiles Elementary
Michael Zang
Teacher of the Year: Michael Zang, 3rd grade Math & Science; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Amie Adum Simmons; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Lauren Richardson
Clark Elementary
Christy Gupta
Teacher of the Year: Christy Gupta, Academically Gifted Program; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Donna Clark; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Shannon Ferreira
Heritage Elementary
Dona Marlatt
Teacher of the Year: Dona Marlatt, 5th grade English Language Arts; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Altemese Simard, Music; Instructional Support Employee: Vanessa Hernandez-Morales, cafeteria manager
Hunter’s Green Elem.
Danielle McGonagle
Teacher of the Year: Danielle McGonagle, 2nd grade; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Amanda Palmer; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Melissa Curtis
Pride Elementary
Crystal Camerino
Teacher of the Year: Crystal Camerino, 4th grade Math & Science; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Suzy Tkacik, Media Specialist; Instructional Support Employee: Diane Riley, Student Nutrition Services Manager
Tampa Palms Elem.
Kelly Sollenberger
Teacher of the Year: Kelly Sollenberger, 4th grade; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Cindy Sciandra; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Awilda Valentin
Turner/Bartels K-8
Chelsea Gonzalez- Panek
Teacher of the Year: Chelsea Gonzalez- Panek, Math; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Marelisa Moreno; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Jessica Ghoumari
Benito Middle School
Michelle Nolan
Teacher of the Year: Michelle Nolan, Math; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Patricia Brown- Denis; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Geraldo Mendoza
Liberty Middle School
Brianne Melvin
Teacher of the Year: Brianne Melvin, PE Coach; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Edwin Cadet; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Lori McNabb
Freedom High
Lonna Hernandez (center)
Teacher of the Year: Lonna Hernandez, Biology; Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Cheryl Bernales, Varying Exceptionalities; Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Malissa Nanns
Wharton High
Kristen Montgomery (center)
Teacher of the Year: Kristen Montgomery, Math (center) Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Markee Duncan (right); Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Jill Brown
Even though he’s previously run for three local offices and been involved in multiple citizen’s groups advocating on behalf of New Tampa, you still may or may not know long-time Hunter’s Green resident Dr. Jim Davison.
Davison, the recently retired emergency room physician whose first run was more than 20 years ago — in the 2002 Republican primary for the District 2 seat on the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held by current Commission chair (and Dist. 2 Commissioner) Ken Hagan — is now a candidate for the countywide (also known as “at large)” District 6 County Commission seat, a race that will be decided on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the same day as the nationwide General Election for U.S. President.
But, there is a lot for the New Tampa resident to accomplish between now and then in order to make it onto that General Election ballot for the seat currently occupied by Comm. Pat Kemp, who can not run for the seat again, due to term limits.
For one thing, he will have to defeat South Tampa resident and U.S. Air Force Reserve staff sergeant Rico Smith (who is the lead field engineer for StemRad, an Israeli-American start-up company that develops and manufactures personal protective equipment against ionizing radiation) in the primary election that will be held on Tuesday, August 20.
As of the date of this story, there also are three Democratic candidates who also will face a closed primary in August, with the winner facing the winner of the Republican primary between Davison and Smith — although other candidates could still qualify to run in either primary between now and July 2024.
The Democratic candidates for Dist. 6 include former countywide Dist. 5 Commissioner Mariella Smith (who served from 2018-22); former citywide Dist. 1 Tampa City Council candidate Sonja Brookins (who lost a runoff against current Dist. 1 commissioner Alan Clendenin earlier this year); and former countywide Dist. 7 candidate Mark Nash.
Although Dr. Davison also lost the 2004 Republican primary for the at-large Dist. 7 County Commission seat won by former Commissioner Mark Sharpe, as well as the 2016 run-off election for New Tampa’s Dist. 7 Tampa City Council seat won (by 65 votes) by Councilman (and fellow New Tampa resident) Luis Viera, he says that he believes his fourth run for public office will prove to be the charm.
“I feel I can win the primary and the general election because I am now able to campaign 24/7 since retiring from medicine,” Davison says. “With my involvement in local politics and multiple county issues, like the (failed) sales tax, I feel that I can project what a majority of the electorate are feeling. I also will have and have committed greater resources to this (election).”
Davison promises that he is a true fiscal conservative who will have New Tampa’s back if he is elected.
“Back in 2002, New Tampa was struggling under rapid growth, just like many other areas of the county are struggling today,” he says. “County government was growing by leaps and bounds. I had seen politicians wrapping themselves in conservative ideals and patriotic symbols, only to see them forget those principles after being elected. New Tampa needed solutions then and it needs them now.”
He says that he also will be the candidate who will work hard to make good on his promises if he is elected. A big part of that, he says, is restoring the public’s trust in their local elected officials.
“Although there has always been a degree of mistrust between government and the people, it has reached new heights,” Davison says. “Covid and the recent sales tax issue are only the latest examples of complete lying and misrepresentation on the part of the county. As a member of the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization’s Citizen’s Advisory Committee (TPO CAC), I know the county (currently) has no intention of changing course. I run to not only present valid solutions, but to try and repair people’s distrust of local government by telling the truth and meeting their concerns.”
As For New Tampa…
Although Davison says it will be his responsibility to represent the entire county on the Commission, he won’t forget about the issues that are important to New Tampa with regards to the county.
For example, “The East-West Road connecting New Tampa directly to I-275 north of Bearss Ave. is no longer on the county’s Long Range Transportation plan,” he says. “New Tampa may have missed the best opportunity in 20 years when the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority was going to build it and run express bus transit from New Tampa to downtown Tampa, starting about 2025. When the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) removed the express lanes from the I-275 improvements north of Hillsborough Ave to north of Bearss Ave., the Expressway Authority couldn’t justify dumping more traffic onto a failed roadway. However, the possibility of an East-West Connector for New Tampa still exists. In addition, we need to look at what is going to happen with Morris Bridge Rd., County Line Road and road, bridge and sidewalk maintenance (see story on pg. 10) in the New Tampa area. We also need to look at local transit circulators and bus rapid transit to USF and beyond.”
He also believes that even though most of the communities in New Tampa are located within the city limits of the City of Tampa, the County Commission still has a lot of say about the future of our area.
“Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. is a county road, as is Morris Bridge Rd.,” he says. “New recreation areas and sports fields will be needed in New Tampa. Maintaining all county property in good repair is another. The property north of Cross Creek Blvd to the county line, and between Kinnan St. and BBD, is all unincorporated Hillsborough County. Keeping the residents of that area safe has to be the number one priority and the responsibility of the Board of County Commissioners.”
Davison says he also has been watching the situation with the Pebble Creek golf course closely and believes, “The Pebble Creek Golf Course situation never should have gone this far. The county has the money to purchase the property, using small amounts from several revenue streams. Both recreational trails, much needed sports fields for a whole host of sports from baseball and cricket to soccer and lacrosse could be built and the whole area constructed to facilitate a wildlife corridor. All of these are sorely needed in New Tampa. This is just good fair policy and would have great economic benefits. With the growth exploding north of us in Pasco, more homes and/or apartments and their traffic are not what we need here. If the county would purchase the site, everyone would come out a winner, including the present golf course owner.”
Dr. Davison, who has been married to his wife Diane for 43 years, has lived in New Tampa since 1993. They raised their four children and were deeply involved in their schooling and sports activities. For most of the last 30 years, Davison worked as an Emergency Room Physician at multiple local hospitals and was the medical director of South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center, as well as the volunteer director of the Sun City Center Rescue Squad. The last four years he has worked as a staff physician at Med Express urgent care centers.
He was appointed by the BOCC to the county’s Emergency Medical Planning Council and Indigent Healthcare Board and has served on multiple city and county boards and committees. He was appointed by Tampa City Council to the Transportation “Committee of 99,” and to the county’s Citizens Advisory Committee and Trauma Auditing Committee. He also is proud to have to lobbied city and county government for infrastructure improvements in New Tampa. From transportation, to recreation centers and ball fields in New Tampa, Dr. Davison’s voice was a constant at city and county meetings.
He says he has spoken with all of the Republicans county commissioners elected in 2022 and they have all been encouraging.
Antony Capers and Grand Hampton kids perform a pre-movie dance number. (Photos by Charmaine George)
Congratulations to local artist and filmmaker Antony Capers (photo, below) for the splashy Oct. 18 premiere at the historic Tampa Theatre (in downtown Tampa) of his YouTube horror serial “Grand Hampton The Movie Series.”
What started as a pandemic project with his family and neighbors in their New Tampa neighborhood has grown into a multi-year endeavor with a loyal cult following. The series takes place in Capers’ upscale Grand Hampton neighborhood that — the viewer soon discovers — was built by “The CONNECTED” solely for the purpose of housing citizens within the government’s witness protection program.
Capers was excited to pose in front of the Tampa Theatre’s marquee before the premiere.
The community has been experiencing some very odd occurrences, and — even more alarming — extraterrestrial beings have been seen roaming the quiet neighborhood’s streets.
Beginning with Season 3, the series began branching out to discover the dark stories of so many of Grand Hampton’s residents. And, as someone who attended the premiere of the “ANTHOLOGY” of new chapters that bring three of these stories to life, I have to say that I came away impressed with Capers and his talented, all-volunteer cast’s efforts.
Jannah, Charmaine, her boyfriend Brendan and I were on hand to find out what happens in the world’s craziest house in “ABBY.” Then, we witnessed the bond being broken between two brothers as they became part of an experiment in “PLACEBO.” And finally, we get to play a game of “SPIN THE BARREL,” where the winner actually loses.
Members of the cast of ‘ANTHOLOGY” answer questions after the new trilogy of “Grand Hampton The Movie Series” episodes was premiered at the historic Tampa Theatre.
After the screening, Capers, the “Grand Hampton” creator, and members of his cast stuck around and discussed the project and answered audience questions. Capers said that Grand Hampton is a community where, “anything can happen and I believe ‘ANTHOLOGY’ proves that.”
“ANTHOLOGY” is part of the historic — and reportedly haunted — Tampa Theatre’s annual “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” film series, which concludes tonight (Oct. 31) with a showing of the original “Halloween.”
“Grand Hampton The Movie Series,” which participated in the Orlando International Film Festival (OIFF) in July, has been at the Tampa Theatre before, as Capers and his crew of talented actors not only got to present his “Super Vita” movie-length episode but also film a portion of it there.
Among those who have provided cameos in the series to date include New Tampa’s District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera and former Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman and local radio/ podcast host Ian Beckles, who was chilling and cool in “SPIN THE BARREL.”
The premiere of “ANTHOLOGY” also included lengthy “commercials” from Capers’ sponsors, including EmployEZ, UES-United Employment Solutions, Done Deal Promotions and “Aliens of the Metaverse,” as well as a dance number with Capers and about a dozen Grand Hampton kids, ages 6-12.
All “Grand Hampton The Movie Series” episodes are available on YouTube.
Dr. Jacky and Dr. Sharly Saleep of Good Karma Veterinary Therapy, a mobile veterinarian service, are happy to care for your precious fur babies in the comfort of your own home. (Photos by Charmaine George)
There are a lot of reasons why taking your pet to the vet can be stressful, but Good Karma Mobile Veterinary Therapy takes away many of those problems by coming to treat your pet in your home.
Does your big dog have a hard time getting in and out of the car? Does your cat detest being put in a carrier? Is your current vet’s office closed by the time you can get there after work? Do you have a lot of pets that require multiple appointments? Or, maybe, you just don’t like pet fur all over your car?
The husband-and-wife team of Dr. Sharly and Dr. Jacky Saleep, both of whom are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs), will see your cat or dog in your home, relieving a lot of the stress a trip to the vet can cause.
The doctors say their practice is “fear-free,” focusing on ensuring that your pet or pets are as comfortable as possible and taking as long as needed to ensure that your fur babies have a positive experience.
“We are completely mobile and do everything in the pet’s house,” Dr. Jacky says. “We never rush and it’s always fun to see pets in their home environments.”
Dr. Jacky is a Miami native who moved to Australia to attend veterinary school at the University of Sydney. From there, she had the opportunity to travel to other countries as part of her studies and, in her final year of vet school, she met Dr. Sharly in Egypt.
He is the son of a large-animal veterinarian in Egypt, where Dr. Sharly grew up. Both Dr. Sharly and his father completed their education in veterinary medicine at Assiut University in Asyut, Egypt. Dr. Sharly graduated with honors in 2010.
He then spent three years working with his father, caring for large animals, such as camels, buffalo, donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits and turkeys. When he wanted to do more surgeries and work more with smaller animals, Dr. Sharly moved to Hurghada, Egypt.
That’s where he met Dr. Jacky, who was studying abroad, before she graduated from vet school in 2017.
“We almost missed each other,” she laughs, explaining that a paperwork error put her in the same clinic with him for just one week. If the mistake hadn’t been made, they would never have even crossed paths.
The pair got married in Las Vegas in 2018 and moved to Miami. But, in 2020, they decided to come to Wesley Chapel to raise their family. At the time, both were working for corporate veterinary medicine companies.
The doctors have two daughters, ages four and three, and a one-year-old son. They also have two Italian greyhounds, two cats, fish and a dozen chickens.
“Our daughter was diagnosed with autism and needed 30 or 40 hours a week of therapy,” explains Dr. Jacky. But. at that time, their schedules were dictated by a corporation and were not flexible, so they knew they needed to do something different.
Opening their own practice together was something they had talked about for a long time, especially because Dr. Jacky wanted to use her broad range of skills, including in animal acupuncture and laser therapy, which weren’t part of her former practice.
The pair launched Good Karma together in June 2023.
Today, their mobile vet service offers wellness exams, vaccines, laser therapy, acupuncture and treatments for allergies and other common ailments, such as ear infections.
Dr. Jacky says laser therapy is really good for healing, especially for older pets dealing with chronic pain, since the laser penetrates and works at a cellular level. She also offers both traditional acupuncture and laser acupuncture.
While the vets mostly treat dogs and cats, they occasionally do treat exotic pets and also offer acupuncture for horses.
They say their services are perfect for someone who has a lot of pets, who can’t travel, or who is short on time. They even offer some after-hours and weekend appointments, and everything they do is designed to help keep your pet or pets calm and comfortable.
“Let’s say the cat wants to be in the closet,” says Dr. Sharly. “We can actually do the appointment in the closet. I’ve seen cats in bathrooms, too.”
The doctors don’t do surgeries, dental cleanings or handle emergencies, but there are ways they can help if your pet experiences something that causes you to worry.
“Emergencies tend to happen at the worst times,” says Dr. Sharly. “But, our business hours are until 8 p.m., so if you get home from work and your pet is sick, you can call us and we will answer the phone.”
If they are able to see the pet, they can examine and stabilize it before sending it to an emergency facility, if necessary. But, even if they can’t get to the pet, they know the patient and its history, so they can provide guidance and recommendations in an urgent situation.
Dr. Jacky adds, “We really get to know our pet patients because we’re going into their homes. It’s not like a corporate environment where we’re seeing dozens of pets and sometimes can’t remember them.”
Another service offered by the Good Karma vets is euthanasia.
Dr. Jacky says that when you reach a point where there’s nothing else that can be done for your pet, Good Karma can come to your home so your pet will be home and comfortable during his or her last moments.
“It’s an honor to serve families in this way,” says Dr. Jacky. “It’s actually okay for the pets. They get ice cream or treats, get good medicine and then go to sleep. But, a (big part) of euthanasia is actually taking care of the family.”
She says most pets in this case have lived a long, happy life, and she has helped many families get through their grief.
Dr. Sharly with Gunnar, the 100+-lb. “Swissy.” (Photo provided by Good Karma Veterinary Therapy)
Krissy and Matt Hem live in Meadow Pointe and are pet parents to Gunnar, an 8-year-old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, also known as a “Swissy.”
Since Gunnar weighs more than 100 pounds, he has been having some hip problems as he ages, so Krissy started searching for laser therapy for him.
As a nurse anesthetist, Krissy works long hours at the hospital and can’t always get to a vet’s office while they’re open, so she loves that Good Karma comes to her once she gets home from work.
“They combine the best of both worlds — with both conventional and eastern medicine,” says Krissy, who worked as a veterinary technician before starting her career in caring for people. “I feel like the care is more thorough than a typical veterinary office, and they always call and check on him.”
Krissy and Matt plan to get a puppy soon, and when they do, they will have Good Karma come to their home to check on their new pup. She really likes that she won’t have to take a new puppy, with its vulnerable immune system, into a clinic where it could pick something up from someone else’s sick pet.
“I’m probably a little biased, but as someone who has worked in medicine for both people and animals, I really appreciate the thoroughness and especially the compassion they show.”
To set up an appointment with Good Karma Veterinary Therapy, pet owners can call or text (813) 291-3570, email GoodKarmaVeterinaryTherapy@gmail.com, or fill out a form to send a message at GoodKarmaVeterinaryTherapy.com.
Co-owners Jeff Cofini (left) & Nick Cignarella of Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli Co. in the Pebble Creek Collection. (Photos by Charmaine George)
Although I have known Zio’s New York Bagel & Deli Co. co-owner Jeff Cofini for a number of years, I warned him when he first told me that he was opening a New York-style bagel place in New Tampa that, as a native New Yawka and self-proclaimed bagel aficionado, if his bagels weren’t “legit,” we could have a problem.
But, while it took a lot longer than planned for Cofini and his nephew and partner Nick Cignarella (in fact, “Zio” means “uncle” in Italian), to open their Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli Co. in the Pebble Creek Collection, there’s no doubt — in my eyes, at least — that it was well worth the wait.
Smoked salmon and cream cheese on an everything bagel, anyone?
Zio’s may not have the best bagels I’ve ever tasted, but they are the first legitimate, best NY-style bagels ever sold in New Tampa. I can say, in all sincerity, that anytime I have a hankerin’ for a fried (or scrambled) egg, bacon and cheese or smoked salmon and cream cheese on a sesame or everything bagel (which I get often), with an extra-crisp hash brown patty on the side, my car already seems to know to take me to Zio’s.
But, Zio’s offers more than just great bagels. Jannah and I (as well as photographer Charmaine George) all already have our own favorites.
The steak, egg & cheese wrap.The Melvin sandwich (shown with a crispy hash brown patty.
For breakfast, while Charmaine is partial to the steak (grilled Boar’s Head roast beef, actually), egg and cheese wrap or omelette, Jannah prefers Zio’s homemade chicken salad as a melt (with cheddar cheese) on a toasted, scooped-out Asiago cheese bagel.
The All Jacked Up sandwich.
And for lunch, while I have consistently enjoyed The Melvin (grilled Boar’s Head pastrami and corned beef, with melted Swiss and cole slaw on grilled rye or pumpernickel bread), I also found the All Jacked Up sandwich (with grilled Boar’s Head deluxe roast beef, melted pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions, lettuce and tomato with spicy brown mustard, mayo or thousand island dressing) on a hoagie roll to be outstanding, too.
And, although she always asks for just two slices of bread, instead of the usual three it comes with, Jannah loves the Double Decker, featuring Boar’s Head Ovengold turkey, with Boar’s Head cheddar (instead of the American cheese it comes with), crispy bacon and lettuce on grilled pumpernickel bread.
The Harvest salad features Boar’s Head Ovengold turkey & Swiss cheese pinwheels.
Charmaine enjoyed the smoked salmon bagel sandwich, as well as the Harvest Salad (with crisp romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots, sweet dry cranberries and walnuts, topped with pinwheels of Boar’s Head Ovengold turkey and Swiss), as well as Zio’s grilled cheeseburgers and crispy fries.
Jeff says that although many of the items mentioned so far are among his top-sellers, “We sell more of the Italian Combo than any other sandwich for lunch.” The Italian Combo is piled high with Boar’s Head Capy hot ham, Genoa salami and pepperoni and is topped with provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion and Italian dressing. He says the Taylor ham, egg & cheese dominates breakfast, and breakfast and lunch are both served whenever Zio’s is open, so you can have your breakfast favorites for lunch and vice-versa — and the prices definitely are fair.
A catering tray of bagels, spreads, salads & muffins.
Zio’s also has fresh-baked muffins in a variety of flavors and delicious gourmet gavina coffee. Catering is a specialty if you have a meeting, party or event coming up. In fact, Zio’s provided a beautiful spread of bagels, butter and cream cheese (including a sweet maple walnut cream cheese) for the Neighborhood News-hosted North Tampa Bay Chamber coffee meeting last month and everyone raved about the bagels.
Zio’s New York Bagel & Deli Co. is located at 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. It is open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (813) 388-9498 or search “Zio’s New York Bagel and Deli Co.” on Facebook.
