PLANT CITY TIMES &
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 4, NO. 32
FREE
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017
Educating the future Learn Tampa Bay is seeking funding for the rest of the year. SEE PAGE 3. YOUR TOWN
File photo
A permit for work on the Bing Rooming House was filed Feb. 10.
Flying High Ed Verner, a part-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer and founder of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year.
Bing Rooming House undergoes facelift The historic Bing Rooming House, located at 205 Allen St., is undergoing restoration efforts. This year’s Plant City MLK Festival, held annually in January, served as a fundraiser for the African-American heritage museum with the hopes of addressing drainage issues, foundation work, floor refurbishing and paint work. After an initial $25,000 was raised, Unity in the Community contributed an additional $5,000 to help start the restoration project. On Friday, Feb. 10, a permit was filed to begin work on the museum. “City leadership has been vocally passionate about this as an economic initiative that deserves equal consideration,” William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, said. “It’s a beautiful building, and every day someone new is made aware of its presence.”
EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR
A
Longstanding Faith Members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the church’s 131st anniversary at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, at the church, 804 W. Renfro St. All are invited to join the congregation as they celebrate the anniversary. The guest speaker for Saturday’s event will be the ‘Sons of Bethel’ group. On Feb. 19, the guest speaker will be Lakeland native Dr. Sheridan Nelson, the senior pastor for Abyssinia Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. Attendees of the event are encouraged to wear purple and gold to celebrate the anniversary.
Emily Topper
s residents know, Ed Verner’s impact in the Plant City community can be seen in every corner of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World – from the streets of Historic Downtown to his involvement in local civic organizations. His fellow Plant Citians have noticed. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Verner was announced as the 2017 Citizen of the Year. Verner was presented the award by the 2016 recipient, Sharon Moody. “I’m humbled,” Verner said. “I would not be here today if it were not for my father and my grandfather. Both of them loved Plant City and instilled that in me. I would like to say thank you to my wife, Amanda ... I would not be here today if it wasn’t for my wife. I want to thank her publicly and declare my love for her, and for how she re-engaged me in Plant City. I’m very grateful for her. This is an honor I very much appreciate.”
2016 Citizen of the Year Sharon Moody presented the award to Ed Verner, the 2017 recipient. SEE CITIZEN PAGE 4
Commission approves repairs for Walden Woods Drive Work on the project is expected to begin in midMarch, during which time the road will be closed. DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER
Daniel Figueroa IV
Work on Walden Woods Drive is set to begin next month.
At a Monday, Feb. 13 meeting, the City Commission unanimously approved a resolution for a work order to repair a section of Walden Woods Drive, just north of Waldenway Drive.
According to City Manager Mike Herr, a depression in the northbound lane of Walden Woods Drive at the drainage inlet has been patched at least three times since 2015. “A slight depression in the road started back in 2015 and was patched,” Herr said. “In June 2016, the road was patched again, and in November 2016, the drainage pipe was videoed to determine the extent and severity of the problem.” A review of the video showed that about 75% of the drainage inlet’s connections and concrete pipe joints were leaking, according to a report
from Herr’s office. Multiple options were looked at to repair the depression. However, due to wet conditions around the drainage inlet, the report showed that only removing and repairing 183 feet of drainage pipe, two inlets, the sidewalk and the curb proved viable, in addition to repairing the roadway. “Whenever depressions are noticed in a roadway and patching is required, an investigation is started to determine whether the cause is a water main, gravity sewer main or drainage SEE COMMISSION PAGE 6