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June 2017 Volume 16, Issue 6 Ph: 657-2418 1 5
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P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
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83-Year-Old Veteran Joins Newsome Grads To Earn High School Diploma
Four-Term Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee To Retire September 30
qualify.” When Marty After staff Sullivan helped Sullivan received his with his paperdiploma from work to achieve Joe E. the diploma, Newsome High they offered him School as a the opportunity member of the to walk in a graduating class graduation cereof 2017 last mony with the month, he realNewsome Class ized a dream of 2017. that began more “Employees and than 50 years students at ago. Newsome High Sullivan, School enthusiwho is 83 years astically signed old and now Newsome High School Principal Carla Bruning prelives in Valrico’s sented 83-year-old Class of 2017 graduate, Marty on,” said Hillsborough Strawberry Sullivan, with a box of letters from students and community members at the Senior Breakfast. County Media Ridge communiRelations Representative Michelle Van ty, left high school at 17 to join the Navy. He spent two years fighting in the Korean Dyke. The 550+ students of Newsome’s War and then started his life without finclass of 2017 welcomed Sullivan at their ishing high school. In the 1990s, he and senior breakfast and graduation ceremohis wife Alice moved to Valrico and ny at the Florida State Fairgrounds on Sullivan started volunteering at the May 19. Hillsborough County Veterans Park and “I think I speak for the entire the Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum. Through his volunteer Wolfpack community when I say that this is not an honor for Mr. Sullivan, but an work, he connected with representatives honor for Newsome,” said Sarah Boyer, from Hillsborough County Consumer and Newsome principal’s secretary. “This is Veterans Services who realized that he qualified to receive a high school diploma. definitely proof that you are never too old to get an education.” “Florida has a program that states Family members may also apply for that any veteran who served in the military before finishing high school is eligible diplomas posthumously for veterans. For information or assistance obtaining this or to receive a full diploma, as long as they other military benefits available through earned honorable discharge,” said Marty Hillsborough County Consumer and Ryan, Community Relations and Veterans Services, call 635-8316 or visit Engagement Representative with .HCFLGov.net/Veterans. Newsome High Hillsborough County Consumer and School is located at 16550 FishHawk Veterans Services. “This is a very under Blvd. in Lithia and can be reached at 740used program and we would love to get the word out to all veterans that they may 4600.
of our community is very important to me. I have dedicated my life to serving others and hope that I have served well. Throughout the years, serving the community has been my priority and it has been an honor and privilege to serve with you by my side.” Perhaps the best thing about this community leader is his truly genuine care for those After serving the community for nearly four decades, fourterm Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee has announced whom he worked with his retirement effective at the end of September. Gee’s and those he served over potential successors include a pair of agency veterans. the years. After nearly four decades of serving Florida Gov. Rick Scott will now his community in a great number of law appoint an interim sheriff to serve enforcement functions, four-term Hillsborough County until a new sheriff is Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee elected at the next general election in has decided to retire effective September November 2018. 30. Residents can expect their next While not unexpected, the announce- Sheriff appointed from within the Sheriff's ment has saddened many that have had Office. the privilege of knowing and working with Potential successors include Gee who has led the agency unopposed Colonels Chad Chronister and Donna for the past 13 years and would have like- Lusczynski. ly continued such a status in 2018. While also a possible successor, But, Gee said it was time. HCSO Chief Deputy José M. Docobo is “After over 40 years of law enforceStory Continued on Page 5 ment service, I have decided to retire at the end of September,” Gee wrote in an email to his employees while announcing In This his decision, which he said, “has not been Issue made lightly and was one of the most difficult decisions that I have made in my HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 7 career.” The Sheriff’s career began 38 years HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS............PG 13 ago as a patrol deputy, followed by servMOSQUITO FISH ..............................PG 15 ing as a homicide investigator, Internal Affairs supervisor, public information offiMOTORING ......................................PG 27 cer, chief financial officer and chief SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 32‐33 deputy. Gee was elected Sheriff of CHALKLINES .....................................PG 37 Hillsborough County in 2004 and was reARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 42 elected—unopposed—in 2008, 2012 and in 2016. EYE ON BUSINESS...........................PGS 45 During his long career Gee has enjoyed a long list of awards, honor and READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE accolades while humbly stated, “Each of www.ospreyobserver.com my Sheriff's Office family and the citizens
By Tamas Mondovics
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
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By Kate Quesada
LITHIA
Photo By Tamas Mondovics
Chuck Burgess, executive director of the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center, left shakes hands with Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan during a recent ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Ken Hagan Learn to Swim Community Pool. The brand new pool is the result of BSAC’s partnership with the Hillsborough County Commission in a youth drowning prevention initiative.
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