Dade City Boy To Dade City Businessman

I gave up a career in entertainment/radio to move back to Dade City to find and marry a nice girl, and raise a family. Having children makes you more aware and concerned about the issues that families must deal with every day. Having a family is challenging, and you must take interest in ways to keep and promote the old fashioned family values that a special place like Dade City had had to offer when I was growing up here.

One important goal I have is to include more kids in new less traditional projects. Activities that stimulate the mind and promote self esteem. Sometimes the smallest gesture can make a life changing impact on a child. We need to do more for our kids.

We need a new elementary school to replace outdated ones like Pasco and Cox. These old buildings could be refitted for vocational job skills training in much needed fields of high demand like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical. Also keeping an eye on future needs in programming, technical skills, software design. major undertaking such as these will take team work, but someone has to stand up and be heard. I know I can fill that void better than what I have seen in the fourteen years in Dade City. I know. I grew up here. My branches spread out to Pensacola and the Miracle Strip, Southern Alabama and Georgia. I have traveled this country from sea to shining sea, but roots here are deep. I have pruned my branches and I am staying home!

(L-R) Bobby, Johnny, Mike, Michael Jr. , and Clair

My lovely wife Clair, graduate of Saint Leo, Teacher at Pasco Elementary for two years, and past fifteen years at San Antonio Elementary school.

My oldest son Johnny, is twelve years old, in seventh grade, and an honor student, attending Pasco Middle School.

Johnny was recently recognized as "Student Of The Month" for March 2006.

Bobby, nine years old, is the "Lil' Arlis" of the family (remember "Old Yeller"?)attending San Antonio Elementary.

And three year old, Michael Jr. (Mikey) wants to know why he can't go to school.

When I was married, and we wanted to start our family, I knew that working in radio and nightclubs in Tampa would not fit my new responsibilities. Lewis Abraham (God Bless Him) introduced me to J. Lamar Roberts CEO and President of FNB of Pasco. Mr. Roberts suggested a property that the bank was holding in foreclosure, the former Palms Hotel (Originally The Wood's Tavern and Hotel built in 1897). We walked through it....discussed it...And shook hands on the deal...It has been a rollercoaster ride, but a labor of love. I'm very proud of the place and what I have accomplished, but, I could not have done it with out the help of so many of you. Some folks may have been less helpful...A lot less helpful! But, the fact is, no one cares how much the ship was tossed in the storm, only that it made port. Rercently, so much has been made about my owning a tavern. It is a wonderful place and has brought people to Dade City, and good exposure to our town. People come from as far as 40-50 miles on a regular basis becuse of the friendly and unique atmosphere. The best entertainment venue between Tampa and Orlando, and it's historic prominance in Pasco County.

It is as much a tourist attraction as it is a pub. I'm very proud of it. People give rave reviews and compliments every day...My reply is, "It's only as good as the people whe come in", and that is what makes it great. Below are just a few news articles I have had time to dig up that show how the old place has evolved.