PLANT CITY TIMES &
Observer
2017 Florida Strawberry Festival Guide
INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 4, NO. 33
FREE
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017
Planes, Trains and Automobiles The biggest event in town for car, truck and plane aficionados returns to Plant City Airport this weekend. SEE PAGE 8 After 29 years of service, Plant City Police Department Master Patrol Officer Tommy Morris will retire on Friday, March 3.
YOUR TOWN #StrawBuddySelfie Want to win Florida Strawberry Festival headliner tickets? Now’s your chance. The 2017 StrawBuddy Selfie Tour Challenge will kick off Friday, Feb. 24. Find StrawBuddy at locations on the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, and at locations all across Plant City. Once StrawBuddy is spotted, take a selfie with him and post it to social media using the hashtags #PlantCityStrawBuddy, #BerryFest17 and #VisitPlantCity for a chance to win tickets to headliner shows, including Little Big Town on Sunday, March 5, and Rascal Flatts on Sunday, March 12. The person with the most selfies at the most locations will win. Little Big Town ticket winners will be announced Friday, March 3, and Rascal Flatts ticket winners will be announced Friday, March 10. All StrawBuddy locations will be listed online at PlantCityObserver.com with contest details beginning Friday, Feb. 24.
EMILY TOPPER MANAGING EDITOR
T
he first time the shoplifter fled the NAPA Auto Parts Store in Plant City, Fred Tom “Tommy” Morris’ boss told him not to go after the thief. Morris listened. The shoplifter, noticing the ease of carrying out his five-finger discount, later returned. “It was the second or third time that he had hit our store,” Morris said. “I was working the front counter. We were busy and my boss wasn’t there, so I chased him down.” Morris brought the shoplifter back to the store and contacted the police. Plant City Police Department Officer Danny Connell responded to the call. Connell and Morris had known each other through school. When Connell said that the department was looking for officers, Morris didn’t waste time. “Less than a month later, I went to City Hall and put in an application for the academy,” Morris said. That was nearly three decades ago. On Friday, March 3, Master Patrol Officer Tommy Morris will retire from the Plant City Police Department after 29 years of service. SEE MORRIS PAGE 6
BEYOND THE BADGE
Shortcake lovers wanted The East Hillsborough Historical Society is seeking volunteers to help with the organization’s strawberry shortcake fundraiser at the 2017 Florida Strawberry Festival. Strawberry stemming begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Volunteers at the organization’s shortcake booth during the festival are also needed. Volunteers get strawberry shortcake, tickets to the festival, free parking for volunteers and an appreciation dinner. Those interested in volunteering can call the 1914 Center at (813) 757-9226, or email QCenter@tampabay.rr.com. Emily Topper
Master Patrol Officer Tommy Morris has been part of the motorcycle unit for the last 17 years, and is currently the longest-serving officer on patrol.
Plant City Church of God welcomes new pastor Pastor Jeff Robinson brings more than 30 years of ministry experience to one of the Church of God’s oldest institutions. DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER
Following the departure of longserving pastor Robert Herrin in January, Plant City Church of God has welcomed a new voice to lead its congregation. Pastor Jeff Robinson’s path to the Plant City pulpit began after he graduated from Lee University in 1986. It was there that he met his wife, Carla Robinson. After a stint in a pastoral role, Jeff Robinson spent more than a decade
in administrative roles within the Church of God denomination. Most recently, he served for nearly six years as the administrative bishop for the Indiana Church of God in Greenwood, Indiana. He also held administrative positions in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington D.C. Encouraged by Herrin, who Jeff Robinson had previously met through ministry, the return to pastoring seemed like it was meant to be — but Jeff Robinson wanted the transition to happen at the right time. “I had talked to Pastor Herrin a few years ago, but it didn’t seem the time was right for me,”he said. “I didn’t feel led of the spirit to come.” Then, in October 2016, he got another call from Herrin. This time, the spirit led him. He came to Plant City and met the church’s board and Photos by Daniel FIgueroa IV
SEE PASTOR PAGE 6
Pastor Jeff Robinson led the Sunday, Feb. 19, service at Plant City Church of God.