CAO-26-5105

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1. 1Oct 21, 2025
   Board of County CommissionersRS1ProclamationAdopted

   Approved minutes

   Approved to adopt.

   Open this item →▶ Play from 30:12
   ▶ 30:1215m

   Unidentified speakerVoice A

   30:12R S one, okay. Resolution number twenty six. Zero two one, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, celebrating Veterans Day on November eleventh, twenty twenty five in Pasco County. Whereas the services of over 50,000 veterans in Pasco County in protecting our freedom and the hardships endured by their families are recognized by the citizens of our county with the deepest sense of gratitude. And whereas Pasco County continues to look to

   30:42its veterans as leaders, carrying their patronism and concern for others far beyond the battlefield. Participating in local government, community groups, charitable organizations, and voluntary service programs. And whereas across Pasco County, individual veterans, veterans associations, and over 260 veterans employed by Pasco County are helping provide support. And advocacy within the veteran community, continuing to make progressive strides in resolving the plight of homeless veterans and fostering

   31:12in young people a genuine love of our country and a profound sense of personal duty, honor, and civic responsibility. And whereas Pasco County urges all local employers, organized labor, veteran, Veterans organizations and other government leaders to support the effort to increase employment opportunities for the men and women who have faithfully served our nation in the military, and whereas to provide ongoing advocacy to the veteran community, Pasco County has established County Veteran Services Offices recognized by the Florida Department of Veterans

   31:42Affairs, which serves veterans throughout Pasco County, and whereas a veteran will never leave a fallen comrade behind, and likewise, Pasco County will always look to serve the veteran community through our County Veteran Services Office. veteran organizations and events such as Pasco County Stand Down, ensuring that Pasco County veterans have the tools they need to transition into a successful s civilian life and whereas Pasco County owes the veterans of this county. County and

   32:12this nation a tremendous debt of gratitude for taking the sacred oath to support and defend this nation's constitution and the ideas of liberty and democracy. These patriots represent the best of us, and on Veterans Day, we honor their service, dedication, and valor, and are forever grateful for their sacrifice. And whereas Pasco County encourages the citizens to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of

   32:43their place of business or residence on November 4th through November 11th, 2025. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby calls on all Pasco County citizens to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th, 2025, by flying the American flag, celebrating those veterans who are employed by Pasco County and remembering the sacrifices of all veterans. veterans who have made throughout the years to ensure our freedom and

   33:13our way of life. Done and resolved in the regular session with a quorum present and voting on this twenty-first day of October 2025.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   33:23Take a motion. Approval. Second. All in favor? Aye. Mr. Oakley,

   Ron Oakley

   33:29When uh they talk talking about senior citizens and veterans, I perk up because I happen to be the only one here that was both. So it's very important. Well, I heard you were uh a boots boot camp sergeant. Was that right, Ms. Starkey?

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   33:47That's right, that's right. I'm the mother of a

   Ron Oakley

   33:50She could have been anyway.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   33:51I'm

   Ron Oakley

   33:52the mother of

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   33:52military.

   Ron Oakley

   33:53Right. But it means very much to me that uh what you've done in your past and all the veterans all over the country. that have made it to where whatever wars we've gone to and battles we've been in, we have come back and uphold freedom for all of the American people. Uh there's nothing better than that. Some uh actually give their their lives to the cause of us being free. And we need to thank them each and every day, not

   34:23just once a year, but all the time. Fly the American flag and be proud of what it stands for and what you've done for your country. So we thank Thank you for all all the work there. Is there uh anyone from your group wanna speak or? Come on.

   Unidentified speakerVoice B

   34:46Good morning. My name's Dave Gerson. I'm the uh manager of Veteran Services. Thank you, Commissioners, uh, for this time. Uh we are a very humble group. Uh these veterans do not enjoy the spotlight, so that's why I forced them to stand up here with me. Uh they would love nothing to have to see. Um But standing behind me is a portion of our team. Collectively, we have over 160 years of military service. Not only did they serve their country, but they continue to serve our county. They they serve a life of service, and

   35:16I appreciate them every day for that. Without them, I would not be successful. I am very grateful for the trust and confidence that Paula. And Kathy have given me to lead this team. Rightfully so. It's a team of rock stars, and I'm just humbled to be a part of it. Uh we have uh recently celebrated the two hundred fiftieth year of some of the services. Uh the best one coming up on November tenth, the United States Marine Corps. A few in the proud. I I'm proud to be one of the few. But I did want

   35:47to say thank you for everyone's recognition and the time today to allow us to be recognized. For those that did serve, as well as in the county, something I like to say whenever I speak to folks is that even if you didn't serve, there's not a person in the room that doesn't know someone. or is it related to someone that did serve so um it does affect everyone and I appreciate that recognition and lastly um I just want everybody to recognize these folks uh I am proud to work that with them every day um you will never find a more humble group of guys uh that

   36:17that ever existed and I I'm just really grateful to be here in front of you for that thank you very much for your time

   Lisa Yeager

   36:22thank you for your service

   36:25Well, let's

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   36:26have all veterans stand up. Because we have other veterans here. We'd like to honor all our veterans here today. How many?

   36:38Carrie, I did not know you were military.

   Ron Oakley

   36:40One other thing I'd like to remind everyone, we have uh three veteran offices in Pasco County and they're the best of the best.

   Bay Singing Penny

   36:48Yep.

   Ron Oakley

   36:49Um we're very proud of the action we get out of our three offices here in Pasco County and what they do for our veterans. So I I appreciate that and and thank you for all 'cause we had the World War Two Memorial there in Dade City, which I've been very concerned about. Everybody else is worried about a tree, I'm worried about uh uh off World War II memorial that I'm afraid might get damaged one day. So I don't want to I want to protect it. Also I think we have Vietnam War Veteran

   37:20Memorial here in front of front of this facility. So if you don't know that or have never been there you need to go and travel and read some of the names and and get some of the history from from the walls there that are on those memorials. So

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   37:34Can you see the flags?

   Ron Oakley

   37:35Anyone else like to speak?

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   37:37Yes, we're gonna have Sask speak next.

   Seth WeightmanSecond Vice Chair

   37:40Yeah, gentlemen, thank you.

   37:43It's a choice to serve, right? Something in your heart that leads you to serve and protect the greatest country on the face of the planet. And once that service heart, you know, uh takes off, I'm glad you guys still stick with it when when you're done with with your service here. You know, it's it's awesome to be a Floridian. And uh, you know, the state of Florida and Pasco County were incredibly veteran friendly. Appreciate the service so much that, you know, we try to do the best we can to to want the veterans that choose to live here. And we see

   38:13it through different, you know. uh thought towers, homes for our troops. The veterans are moving here because the level of care that they can receive if they something happened to them while they were in service or you know good place to be because of uh you know the taxation and it's warm all the time. So I think more and more veterans are gonna keep coming to Florida as they have and And so you guys have a big job ahead of you and thank you for for serving Pasco County. We're a big county now with a lot going on and we certainly couldn't do

   38:43all the work that we have to do without your help. So thank you for being here today.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   38:47Thank you, Commissioner.

   Lisa Yeager

   38:49So I want to share a little story with you. When my brother and I were kids, my my dad is a veteran. So before we could I say go anywhere fun, he would take us to battlefields and monuments and read the names on the walls. And as a kid, I remember because there's video, I'm like doing cart reels, like can we go now? You know? And I never realized the impact, the history lesson that I was getting. And now as a mom, I do the same thing with my kids,

   39:19which is Just amazing. And when they were little and I'm saying like three years old, they would say thank you for your service to these to these grown men and they would cry and say thank you like just that young children are brought up knowing the sacrifice that you all made for us. It it doesn't go unnoticed and th thank you doesn't even cover it because all of you, you know it

   39:51just have so many stories and and I pray that you share those stories with people because they need to be heard because you guys are all heroes. So thank you for everything um you guys do. Commissioner.

   Jack MarianoVice Chair

   40:04Thank you. Gentlemen, thank you very much for your service and for what you're doing for our veterans. It's very important to us. Um Starting years ago we expanded quite a bit the veteran background and backing of them to help them get their benefits. So what you do is very important. The commission is looking for different things to do for our veterans. So I'm gonna throw throw a couple of things out there and maybe you guys can think about some ideas and get back with us on. But steps to recovery was here this morning. They're gonna have like 33 beds for our veterans. veterans. They can have treatment facilities

   40:34that are in there as well. We're hoping to grow, help them grow, take care of more veterans. And I'll tell you one thing was Startling to me when I talked to Marilyn R the couple of years ago we started the opioid money was When we're talking about the veterans and how many are homeless I had was my discussion with her was, well, I'm told by the coalition that we don't have any homeless veterans, we got them all out of the woods. She goes, Jack, they're still in there. So I wanna say to you that with we've got uh community development block grant disaster recovery c money coming up. We've got other

   41:04opportunities to help our veterans. Tunnels for towers could be another option that we could try to help with, but If you can think of any veterans that are homeless that need help that we can do something, now's a great time to take a look at it. Um training programs such as the Anim Skills can help them get a job. So whatever you can do with these people, especially this next year or so, let's really try to work together and get your ideas to like Kathy and uh the team and the D DR group and let's try to find what things we can do to help the veterans. But again, thank you mu very much for your your service.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   41:33And um lastly me. Um I also wanna thank you all. I know it's It can be a very rewarding job and a very tough job. As a matter of fact, just yesterday I was talking with Congressman Bilarakis' office and they said, if you don't mind, we're we are just about to finish some paperwork for a veteran who's about to be homeless. And I said, Absolutely, call me back when you're done. I mean the need is is great. And um I don't think you guys were able to see how many people stood up around you. So

   42:04Uh it's I I'm just so proud that our county has so many veterans. employed. And I I tell that to my son in law. My son in law is a lieutenant colonel, but on January thirty first he'll be colonel and it's gonna happen here in Pasco County, actually. The general's coming in to do the pinning ceremony. Because my my grandson has a hockey tournament here. And that way his wife and son can can watch the ceremony. But um and he's at the Pentagon at the Joint Chief's office. But um, you know, one day he'll be he'll

   42:34be a veteran and I Both of my um my father and my stepfather. Navy, Coast Guard. Hey, any any air force here? That's it? Okay, let's hear from you. Okay, your cu your Air Force?

   Ron Oakley

   42:48Navy. Army. Coast Guard.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   42:51Oh. Co you know, Coast Guard Academy is the hardest academy to get into of all the academies. People know that. Who's oh Oh we're gonna go. Um but um We're um you know when I first was a com elected a commissioner I had no idea we had a veterans office. No idea at all. And um and I'm so proud we have it on all three sides of the county as Commissioner Oakley said. So um obviously that shows the need and um we're very grateful for all you do. We're gonna be shining the lights on our government buildings on

   43:21uh um Veterans Day, we'll be shining them green. Um we're this is something that NACO is pushing all across the United States and we've been doing it for a number of years. So If you happen to drive by here or Dade City, I don't know if there's are we lighting up the utilities building in Land O' Lakes? I don't know if we have the green lights there, but let's get them on there if we don't. And uh All right, so we will come down and take a picture with you guys.

   Mike

   44:09J Jack Mariano.

   44:19We should have like some kind of like baseball games where there's something great as we can.

   44:25Right, right.

   Unidentified speakerVoice C

   44:48Yeah, yeah.

   Kathryn StarkeyChair

   45:04Oh, I'm gonna do mine glass because I have to change it to my green jacket. Yes, ma'am. Mike. So you gotta stay in those and we have two of them. All right, Commissioner Weightman's

   Unidentified speaker

   45:14Let's Roll.

   Unidentified speakerVoice A

   45:16Are you ready? Yep.

   45:19Awesome.