09.29.17 PCTO

PLANT CITY TIMES &

Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

VOLUME 5, NO. 13

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Behind the scenes of PCHS football.

SEE PAGE 21.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Plant City Times & Observer’s 2017 Wonder Women These ten women are making a difference in and around Plant City. INSIDE

New budget

YOUR TOWN

approved for first property tax increase since ‘90s The $75 million budget includes more money to maintain streets, continued funding for economic development and the purchase of an armored tactical vehicle for the police department.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

T

he City Commission Monday approved the city’s $75 million budget, which includes the first property tax increase since 1991 and a 7.5% raise for municipal employees.

The most discussed issue among commissioners since budget talks began in July has been property tax.

Plant City has maintained a $4.7157 property tax rate since 1991. The new budget increases the tax rate to $5.7157. Revenue from the increase will go into a fund dedicated to repairing and maintaining city roads.

In Plant City, the average home’s assessed value is almost $100,000.

With the new property tax rate, the average Plant City homeowner will pay an increase of $4 per month in property tax, after the $50,000 homestead exemption. Commissioners approved the decision unanimously, but said the decision did not come easy.

“This has been a long journey. It’s

one that we’ve been struggling with for years,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “In that general fund, we have turned every stone looking for that two-tofour million dollars a year. It’s just not there.”

According to the city’s engineering division, in order to resurface the city’s 160 miles of roads in the ideal 15-to-20 year cycle, road resurfacing would need to be funded at around $4 million per year. The city currently has an agreement with Hillsborough County in which the county will provide $2 million for road resurfacing if the city can provide $2 million of its own. The agreement is in place for the next two budget cycles and there is potential for an extension. The tax increase creates $1.9 million in funds for road projects.

When talks began, Commissioner Nate Kilton was wary of a tax increase, first wanting to rule out other sources of funding. First, he said he asked what level of service citizens wanted, then if it was the local government’s duty followed by whether or not there was an alternative source for the revenue. Despite a culture of being able SEE BUDGET PAGE 15

Courtesy of Jennifer Hamilton

PCHS Calendar Girls chosen Kendall Gaudens (above) was chosen as the 2018 calendar cover girl. Miss January: Rachel Stevens; Miss February: Charlotte Yang; Miss March: Luzmaria Contreras; Miss April: Reagan Tears; Miss May: Anna Futch; Miss June: Abigail Shane; Miss July: Kennedy Cullins; Miss August: Madilyn Conrad; Miss September: Reagan Brown; Miss October: Brenda Dixon; Miss November: Dallas Baker; Miss December: Lillian Oliver.

30-day hold on hurricane pet rescues The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center currently has 81 dogs and seven cats on hold from Hurricane Irma. The animals were rescued starting on the day of the storm. With natural disasters, HCPR inquired with Best Friends Animal Society for the best course of action on how long to host the animals due to the hurricane. The county administration determined the best length of time was 30 days from the date of intake so owners have time to reclaim their pets. If you lost an animal during the storm, contact HCPR to ensure your pet wasn’t rescued by the center.

Growers growing Hundreds gathered at the train depot Saturday for the 2017 Garden Fest & More event.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The 2017 Garden Fest & More event connected hundreds of attendees with expert growers and offered a

wide variety of plants for shoppers to add to their gardens at home.

Vendors ranging from bird houses and flowers to home decor and crafts lined the street offering a wide selection for all in attendance. Garden Fest

is one of the Plant City Garden Club’s largest events and has grown significantly over the past nine years, starting with a small selection of plants by the depot and now including diverse vendors along with food options provided by the Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club.

“Tampa and St. Petersburg do a SEE GARDEN PAGE 17

Breanne Williams

Vendors selling a variety of plants and home goods set up at the train depot.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

What it means to be a

WONDER WOMAN Congratulations!

Plant City’s Wonder Women exemplify the qualities that make this town unique — the qualities every citizen should aspire to have.

Strawberry

This is the fourth year the Plant City Times & Observer has chosen to highlight influential women in Plant City — Wonder Women. Each September, 10 women who embody selflessness, virtue and empathy are selected and share why they work so tirelessly to make the community a better place.

In prior editions, women who raised money for the Child Abuse Council, who fought to close the wage gap between genders, who dedicated their lives to protecting the public were recognized. These women pledged their lives to helping others, even when they themselves are going through a hardship.

We do this section every year to not only honor those who so often go without recognition, but also to encourage others to champion a cause close to their heart. Plant City prospers when its residents make a conscious effort to look out for one another and lend a helping hand when they see someone struggling.

Wonder Women defy expectations, break boundaries and do what, for many, is impossible. They are successful when others said they wouldn’t be. They pioneer new movements and, above all, they serve strangers for no other reason than it being the right thing to do.

There is no argument that today’s world is full of darkness and dismal news. Turn on the television and within minutes you can witness a list of atrocities taking place both across the globe and even here in our own nation. It is easy to succumb to negativity, to walk through life with blinders on, never glancing at any-

one of 10 Wonder Women for 2017

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BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

thing other than your own misfortunes and roadblocks.

But these Wonder Women can attest to the saying that happiness is found when you live your life for others. Kindness and compassion go a long way and if you take the time to make someone’s life better simply because you’re in it, I believe you’ve lived a life worthwhile.

Though I am new to Plant City I’ve quickly learned the thing that sets this town apart from everywhere else is not its abundant strawberry crops or its legendary festival — though those are inarguably crowning assets —but rather its unwavering dedication to assisting and supporting its community.

Everywhere you turn, an organization, a church or even an individual is going out of its way to show goodwill. Most do so without seeking accolades or acclaim.

The 10 women in this section exemplify what makes Plant City special. Their determination and immense adoration of this community and all its residents makes them obvious choices for our latest class of Wonder Women.

With such women guiding our community, I cannot wait to see where we will be a year from now and what new leaders will have stepped up to the call.

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JOINING THE RANKS OF PLANT CITY’S

Hannah Benton Lillie Brown Layla Drawdy Sue Harrell Mary Heysek Angelica Ibarra Christy Layton Emily Pierce Nia Ramo Judy Wise Photos by Deanna Hurley Photography • Location Fox Squirrel Corn Maze

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

Hannah

Benton

hey say no act of kindness, regardless of its size, is ever wasted. For one Plant City native, this became a life motto, a lesson she hopes to pass on to every individual she meets.

Hannah Benton, owner of RAOK Boutique, based her entire career on

bringing random acts of kindness to the residents of Plant City. She worked for the USF Foundation for some time but knew that it wasn’t necessarily what she was passionate about doing for the rest of her life. One day she looked at her mother, Brigitte Hodge, and told her she wanted to open a

store together.

“It took a while but finally she agreed,” Benton said. “I had put in a resignation at USF without knowing what to do and with a lot of prayer. I knew God had a different path for us.”

RAOK, or Random Acts of Kindness Boutique, will turn three years old in December and Benton said she can’t imagine doing anything else now.

Working with her mother everyday and adding “a little bit of light” to the community makes all of the stress of owning a business worth it, Benton said.

The employees at the boutique work hard to live up to its name.

“We had a customer once who’s husband had passed away and her house was robbed,” Benton said.

“They stole a lot of her jewelry, including many pieces her husband had bought her. We knew we couldn’t replace those priceless memories but we had some Brighton pieces in the shop that were the exact same ones she used to have and we gave it to her to try to help ease the loss.”

Benton’s love of Plant City began as a child, watching her mom and those in the community help out strangers in need. When she and Hodge started RAOK, her mother’s reputation in town played a large part in the success of the business, Benton said.

“My mom has a heart of gold,” Benton said. “She’s such a doer. She will never do anything for herself but she’ll do everything for anyone else.”

The support and love of the community is the driving force behind RAOK, something Benton said she hopes to be able to add to.

She was involved with the Florida Strawberry Festival her entire life, showing steers, pigs and chickens and even had the honor of being crowned Strawberry Festival Queen. According to Benton, her reign launched

BREANNE WILLIAMS

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much of her involvement in Plant City.

During this time Benton met Sandee Sytsma, who at that time was the volunteer coordinator of the Strawberry Festival beauty queens. Sytsma quickly became a second mother to Benton and throughout the following years continued to offer support and be an inspiration for Benton and her family.

While she always knew Plant City was full of loving and giving residents, it wasn’t until she began kickstarting RAOK, when she was suddenly the one in need of assistance, that the full extent of support from the community really sunk in.

For the first year and a half, RAOK was run entirely by Benton, her cousin and Hodge. Whenever there was a big event, friends and family would pour in to help. Sytsma pulled late nights with the girls and steamed clothes while others dedicated hours of their free time to help keep the business on track.

When Benton’s grandmother passed away right before the planned Spring launch of the store, a group of women came in and flipped the store for Benton and Hodge so they could mourn without having to worry about missing deadline.

The kindness shown to Benton solidified her desire to dedicate her life toward helping others. She continues to use her boutique as a resource for other charities and organizations in the area, like the United Food Bank of Plant City and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

She’s also created a scholarship in her grandmother’s honor.

“RAOK is just as simple as buying somebody a Starbucks behind you,” Benton said. “It doesn’t have to be expensive ... Honor the people you love in your life, smile at a stranger.

It doesn’t have to be monetary, just show some kindness.”

INSIDE HANNAH’S HEAD Who inspired you?

Mrs. Sandee Sytsma.

She is like no other.

She’s super positive.

She’s such a wonderful woman.

What’s your favorite book?

I never read the same books twice, but I love to read. How hard is it to name a book? Apparently, very for me.

What is the key to happiness?

I think the key to happiness is just having the right mindset. I think it comes from choosing to be happy regardless of the outcome.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Never give up on your dreams. You’re never too old, never too young. I was 26 when I started RAOK and my mom was in her early 50s. I think we’re proof.

What is your biggest regret?

I don’t really have any regrets. I feel that all the opportunities I’ve had, post-college and leading up to RAOK, I don’t regret because they shaped me into who I am today.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

Now. I feel that we live in a world that is filled with a lot of negativity and darkness and I want to live out a life that is light and shows Christ in a time that maybe isn’t always seen as the best.

STAFF WRITER

Congrats Hannah Benton!

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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Lillie

INSIDE LILLIE’S HEAD

Brown

Who inspired you?

My mother and my sister.

What’s your favorite book?

The Bible. That’s what I read.

What is the key to happiness?

Having the right people in your life that will motivate you, that will encourage you to move forward.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Always look forward, stay encouraged and don’t let nobody change your goal. If you have a goal that you want to meet, don’t let nobody tell you you can’t do it — because you can.

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

illie Brown understands today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders, and that many of them need help finding their way. It’s what has driven her, for nearly 30 years, to help Plant City youth get whatever it is they need to get through this thing called “life.”

Brown, a recreation supervisor for the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department, has spent nearly all of that time in the MLK Rec Center, whether working for the city or for the Boys and Girls Club branch formerly based there. She’s helped thousands of kids strengthen their educations and grow as people since 1989 and has no plans to stop soon.

“It’s just a privilege to me because I feel like I’m giving something that kids need,” Brown said. “They need that. My staff, myself, they need that.”

Brown lived in North Carolina and New Jersey before moving to Plant City in 1984, and she spent several years working for the American Bank Stationery Company in town.

She found out about the local Boys & Girls Club in 1989 while looking for new activities for her son, who played football and baseball. Within two weeks, Brown came aboard as the club’s physical director. Three years later, Brown was promoted to branch director.

She remained in the position until 2007, when the club ceased operations at the rec center. The club eventually reopened but was no longer based out of the rec center.

Brown was able to get back to the center in 2011, when she joined Plant City’s Recreation and Parks Department. These days, she and the center’s two staff members work with kids from elementary through high school and ensure their needs are met.

That could be something as

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

What is your biggest regret?

Not having more than one child. That’s my biggest regret in life. I had one child and he passed.

My mom said to have at least three and I was like, ‘Are you crazy?’

involved as tutoring, mentorship or training to apply for jobs, and it could also be as simple as providing homework checks, a safe environment and food for kids in need. It also comes from programs like the annual health fair, back-to-school drives and the Summer Youth Program, which keeps kids engaged mentally and physically during summer vacations.

“They need me and they need my staff,” Brown said. “We are there to do whatever we can to make things work for them.”

Brown has always made it a point to go the extra mile for the kids. One of her favorite ways to do this is by preparing home-cooked meals for the

kids at least twice a week, which gives them a break from snacks they might otherwise eat. She said the United Food Bank of Plant City and Felton’s Meat and Produce Market will sometimes donate food to help feed the hungry mouths.

But arguably the most important thing Brown does is make the kids feel like they have a place they can call home, or a second home. It’s more difficult for some kids than others but Brown said, with some extra attention and care, those who have had trouble adjusting to life at the rec center right away often step up and become role models for the rest of the kids there.

Brown said many kids don’t feel

JUSTIN KLINE

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that they can express themselves in their own homes, so she and the staff encourage them to speak their mind with the assurance that anything said to them at the center will stay there.

Once kids begin to open up, she said, they can come out of their shells and live with newfound confidence.

Brown said she wouldn’t trade her job for anything because, for her, nothing can top the satisfaction of knowing she and her staff improved a child’s life.

“They need to know that they have a safe place to go,” Brown said. “Somewhere they feel like they belong. They need all of that, and that’s a part of growing up.”

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

I would say, probably, the 1980s. I would go back to the ‘80s because that’s when I was really getting in my 30s and really realizing what life was all about.

The choices that I made then, I would make them totally different now.

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Congratulations Lillie Brown!

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“We value our relationship with Parks & Recreation and of course you know we are committed to supporting the Dr. MLK Jr. Rec Center and its historic value in the community.”

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Layla

INSIDE LAYLA’S HEAD

Drawdy

Be strong. There’s an image that some women think they have to live up to … you don’t have to live inside of that box.

You can do anything that you want to do if you put your mind to it.

— Layla Drawdy

it’s very important to me.”

“What I do now — what we do, what my husband does with me — that stayed with me all these years,” Drawdy said. “Just random strangers, sometimes people that I worked with that I didn’t know very well back then, would just do random acts of kindness and help me when I least expected it and when I needed it most desperately. I don’t even think any of those people knew how desperate I was.”

Through hard work, Drawdy was able to improve her quality of life. She took classes at the University of Florida—IFAS campus in Plant City when she could, capitalizing on an employer’s tuition assistance program, and worked several jobs in the agriculture field until landing her current gig as a fertilizer and chemical sales representative for Diamond R Fertilizer in Plant City.

When she met her husband, Dustin, two more children came into the picture. So did Hardwood BBQ, a passion project for the Drawdys that later became their biggest community service asset.

After linking up with friends and forming the team to compete in Pig Jam six years ago, Layla Drawdy decided it would only be fair to the team volunteers for any money they raised to be donated to charity. To this day, Hardwood is volunteer-run and does not make any money — every dollar of profit gets pumped back into the community, whether it’s an entity like the United Food Bank or individuals like Nathan Dodds, whom Hardwood has assisted during his battle with cancer.

Drawdy said Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, which Dodds’s mother works for, plays a major part in Hardwood’s ability to cook for community service. The San Antonio-based company regularly donates meat to the

What’s your favorite book?

As silly as this might sound, the Velveteen Rabbit. It has some seriously inspirational messages.

What is the key to happiness?

Love. I think love is.

Love, and being true to yourself is the key to happiness.

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

hen people in Plant City need a helping hand, Layla Drawdy is quick to offer hers.

Whether it’s something she can do herself or with her Hardwood BBQ team, Drawdy believes any act of kindness can make a difference for any struggling person.

When she says that, she’s speaking from experience.

Drawdy can’t forget the days when she was one of those people standing in line at the United Food Bank of Plant City. She remembers waiting at churches around town to receive holiday meals. She remembers working several jobs at a time to raise children as a single mother out of high school, sometimes wondering if she’d be able to eat or buy gas for her car. There was no government assistance — only what she could earn for herself and what she was given by strangers who offered to help.

“It was those situations that I’ve carried with me,” Drawdy said. “I will never, ever forget where I came from.”

Like wood for a smoker, these experiences fuel her fire.

“It’s very important to be that way as a human being,” Drawdy said. “But as a community, especially this one,

Who inspired you?

I have to say God. I really do … otherwise, it’s my family. My husband and my children. It’s what He created me for, to be a wife and to be a mother to those people.

barbecue team, though Drawdy said the team also works with several other sponsors in the Plant City and Tampa Bay areas when service events or competitions come up.

Though Drawdy may be bestknown for her work with Hardwood BBQ, she does make time for her own ventures. She likes to help families in need of school supplies, clothes and meals during the holiday season.

“That’s really important to me because that was some of the tough-

JUSTIN KLINE

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est times for me, as a single parent,” she said.

Most recently, Drawdy and the Hardwood team cooked hundreds of pounds of food to feed first responders, linemen and hungry people around Plant City for free after Hurricane Irma passed through the area.

Projects like that, Drawdy said, are exhausting but necessary.

“You never know how you might impact somebody’s life in a positive way just by helping them,” she said.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

To be strong. There’s an image that some women think they have to live up to … you don’t have to live inside of that box.

You can do anything that you want to do if you put your mind to it.

What is your biggest regret?

I just feel like everything in my life was meant to happen for me to be where I am right now.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

Probably the 1950s. I feel like it was a different time when things were simpler … it felt like most of the country was a lot more surrounded around Jesus and Christianity and I think that’s something that’s very much lacking these days.

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

LAYLA DRAWDY

Plant City Times & Observer Wonder Woman 2017

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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Sue

n real life, Sue Harrell is just as excited to tell you about Plant City’s favorite crop as she is online.

Harrell, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association’s Marketing Director, has spent the last 11 years with the company, spreading the word about strawberries through her “Strawberry Sue” blogs and travels for face-to-face time with consumers. The goal is to keep people both informed about Florida strawberries — especially in the winter season, when Harrell said many people don’t know the berries still grow in the state — and encouraged to buy them.

“People buy bananas every time they go in the grocery store,” Harrell said. “We want to be the bananas. We want everybody to pick up a container of strawberries every time they go in the grocery store.”

Harrell understands when consumers aren’t up to speed on Florida strawberries and how the local industry works. The Riverview native had absolutely noexperience with the agriculture industry and its workings until she graduated from East Bay High School, married her husband of nearly 41 years, Mark Harrell, and started working at H&W Farms with his family in Dover. Though it was her first experience with agriculture, she quickly took to it.

“I think it gets in your blood,” Harrell says. “You eat, breathe and talk it 24 hours a day. I think all the people we hang around, all our friends, are involved in ag in some way … this community that we live in, everyone is connected in some way or has a relative that is, if they’re not.”

In 1995, Harrell tried something new within the field. At the urging of then-CEO Ken Morena, she applied for and became a district manager for Driscoll’s Florida, which allowed JUSTIN KLINE

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her to travel around America and to countries such as Chile, Argentina and South Africa to promote what the company’s Florida operation was doing.

She held the role until 2007, when she tried something new and became Marketing Director for FSGA. “It was always my dream job,” Harrell said.

Harrell’s mission is to tell the story of Florida strawberries to any audience. Sometimes that takes her to different states, where she’ll give presentations, and sometimes that means sticking closer to Dover to give tours (as many as 30 each year, she said) or visit schools to teach children all about berries with FSGA’s mascot, Jammer.

“I believe we need to begin at an early age to be as effective as possible,” Harrell said. “They will be the future buyers.”

One of Harrell’s favorite ways to keep consumers engaged is through her “Strawberry Sue” blog on the FSGA website. She made the commitment to strengthen the group’s online presence over five years ago with her blog and by embracing social media, which has since become a powerful tool for Harrell and FSGA in their educational efforts. Harrell will write about events, share recipes, feature individuals and share her other thoughts and experiences through “Sue’s Corner.”

“I love that social media has taken off,” Harrell said. “It’s been the most exciting way to promote Florida strawberries. By having recipe contests, photo sharing and just keeping everyone up to date on what is going on in the industry every day is how we can reach so many more strawberry lovers.”

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INSIDE SUE’S HEAD Who inspired you?

Ken Morena … he inspired me to apply for the Driscoll’s Florida district manager position. I have been the only female to ever run a Driscoll’s facility.

What’s your favorite book?

Sarabeth’s Bakery.

Sarabeth (Levine), she’s a pastry chef in New York City … it’s not just a cookbook, it’s one of those that tells her life story and all the dishes that mean something for her.

What is the key to happiness?

I think having all my family happy and healthy makes a big difference on how I feel.

I think if you have a job and do something you like to do every single day, it’s not like you’re working.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

That they can pretty much accomplish anything they want to accomplish. I have a passion for what I do … it makes a difference if you’re working in a field you really love.

What is your biggest regret?

That I didn’t have any more children. I only had one, and my son has only had one.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

I want to be a pirate.

Like you see on TV — those women pirates.

SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Congratulations

We’re proud of you StraWberry Sue

Kenneth Parker, Executive Director P.O. Drawer 2550, Plant City, FL 33564 Office: (813) 752-6822 Fax: (813) 752-2167 Cell: (813) 478-9373

www.floridastrawberry.org | Kenneth@FlaStrawberry.com

Florida Strawberry Growers Association

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Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

Harrell

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Mary

INSIDE MARY’S HEAD

Heysek

What’s your favorite book?

Sparkle. It talks about making every day important. It talks about “why have champagne just at special occasions when every day is a special occasion.” And obviously I love champagne.

What is the key to happiness?

Relationships and love.

You can love various people in your life but I think the connection to others is what’s important.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Be with somebody because you want to be there, not because you’re dependent upon them.

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

ary Heysek has dedicated her life to bettering the world around her.

Heysek’s involvement in Plant City has ranged from being on the board of the Plant City Family YMCA to becoming the executive director of the United Food Bank of Plant City. She worked on a child abuse council for five years and now serves the needy in her community.

“You just see the need and it’s overwhelming,” Heysek said. “At the end of the day everyone wants to make a difference in someone’s life.”

When Heysek became a single mom in 2004 she quickly realized how too few hours there were in a day. She said she had always thought she could do “it all” until she actually tried to stretch herself impossibly thin. The experience, though trying, allowed her to empathize with those struggling through similar situations and furthered her desire to help her community.

“I’ve been fortunate, even being a single mom, that if my kids go to the pantry and they open up the door there’s food there,” Heysek said.

“There’s so many that are not that lucky … so I have a tender heart for single moms… There’s so much pressure from society to have the kids fit in and have the right stuff and the right clothes and to try to keep up financially. It’s really overwhelming for people and I really didn’t realize it until I had to do it.”

Heysek, who is celebrating her one-year anniversary as the executive director for the food bank, has learned during her time at UFBPC that you never truly know who’s struggling in silence. While many of her clients are the working poor, some take on less expected shapes, like a teacher who is a single mom and sometimes strug-

Who inspired you?

My mother because she was a hard-working single mom, but she had basic very strong core values and kept a close eye on me.

gles to make ends meet.

Luckily, Heysek said the community has always stepped up when they see a need, which she said is one of the town’s most endearing qualities.

“Plant City has always rallied together when there is a need,” Heysek said. “It’s different here than in other places. I think people here think about the community more as a family here. You don’t know who’s hungry. But when I tell them what we need, they often try to help.”

Despite having to provide for four children, Heysek always dedicated her time to better the community. Of all she’s done, one of her favorite roles

was when she was the PTA president at Walden Lake Elementary School.

Her children were younger and she was able to watch them grow and make a difference in their lives and the lives of the kids they went to school with.

Heysek said as a single mom, you always struggle with trying to be everywhere at once, especially when you have multiple children doing different activities. She said at the end of the day there’s always guilt that you’re not able to do everything.

However, she said she makes it her goal every day to choose joy and to put a smile on someone’s face.

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“I just try to be joyful every day and happy,” Heysek said. “I generally am extremely positive and I just want to make a difference. When I’m in contact with somebody I want them to leave feeling better than if they had not seen me.”

Too often, people get wrapped up in their busy lives and with their busy schedules and forget to take the time to acknowledge those around them, Heysek said.

“I don’t think we all realize how much we impact each other,” Heysek said. “If we would just take the time to care about each other, I think this world would be a better place.”

What is your biggest regret?

I don’t have a lot of regrets because I feel like the bad things that happened, happened and got better.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

I like today. But I like the old outfits and the old clothing people wore in historical times. I know there’s bad things going on but I like the freshness of today. I like looking into the future and learning from the past.

STAFF WRITER

CONGRATULATIONS

MARY

on being selected as one of the 10 women making a difference in Plant City.

You are truly our Wonder Woman United Food Bank of Plant City, 702 E. Alsobrook Street, Suite H, Plant City, FL 33563 Business Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., & Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tues. 8:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

Food Distribution Hours Mon., Wed., Thurs., & Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday 12:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. www.ufbpc.org 252368

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Angelica

Ibarra

Believe in yourself, pursue your own goals, strive for your own happiness Don’t look to anyone to make you happy. Whatever your happiness may be, go out there and search for it. Find it.”

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

— Angelica Ibarra

ngelica Ibarra could have easily lived a very different life than the one she chose.

However, Ibarra, the founder of Plant City-based Learn Tampa Bay, made a habit of defying cultural norms and expectations to follow her own dreams and find her own happiness. She found it through service and empowering the community.

For nearly 15 years, Ibarra has dedicated her life to empowering communities, especially the local Hispanic community, through education.

“I felt that others in my community needed to see the same opportunities that were presented to me years ago,” she said. “It’s something

that I felt was important. Education is very powerful. To be able to share with others the value of it was something that was very important to me.”

Ibarra could have gone with the flow many times in her life, but she wanted more. She wanted more for herself, more for her family and more for the community.

Ibarra was born in Sinaloa, a coastal Mexican state along the Gulf of California. She came from a farming family, but when work dried in Sinaloa, they emigrated to the U.S. for work, first farming onions and watermelon in the South Texas border town of Edinburg. Eventually, the family relocated to Plant City where they lived a migrant lifestyle.

During strawberry season, most of the family would work in the fields.

In April it was off to Georgia and the Carolinas for a few months to pick onions, then Ohio for cucumbers.

The cycle repeated until she became a mother in her 20s and decided she wanted to do more for herself and her children. She got her GED, attended Hillsborough Community College and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of South Florida.

It was a move that broke the trends and norms of the migrant culture she grew up in where work, not education was the priority. It was a move that didn’t always sit well with those around her.

“They used to mock me when I was going to college,” Ibarra said. “They used to call me la maestra (Spanish for the teacher) and say ‘oh, here comes the teacher. She thinks she’s better than us because she’s trying to go to school.’”

Nevertheless, she persisted, earning her degree in 2001 and securing a job in the corporate world that came with a good salary and benefits. It’s what she thought was the ultimate goal, the American Dream. It didn’t take long for her to realize it was not her American Dream.

She was working for a credit card company. The low credit limits, high interest rates and piles of additional fees made her feel as though she was pulling from disadvantaged communities, taking advantage of them

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instead of helping to educate them and truly better their lives. So she left.

“I didn’t even complete the probationary period,” Ibarra said. “It took a couple of months and I found a position in a non-profit organization helping families with their middle and high school kids. Helping them navigate the school system and understanding what the kids needed to get into college.”

Within a year, she became the founder of the family literacy program that would evolve into Learn Tampa Bay. Nearly 15 years later, she is still working to empower the community and make sure parents and children alike have the tools they need to succeed and knowledge that the tools are there for them. Today, giving back still means far more than pulling from.

“The reality hits when you hear the stories,” she said. “When you get a child that was struggling and comes in with an awesome report card.

When you have a child that was failing and then the mom is looking for you after a couple of years to share that her kids are in honors classes.

Hearing the stories about a mom that was at a grocery store in line and she translated for the person in front of her. Hearing those stories, that’s when I feel that I’m contributing a little bit to the community and to the individuals that walk in through our doors every day.”

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INSIDE ANGELICA’S HEAD Who inspired you?

Sandy Smith, my adult literacy teacher. She made such a difference in my life and my families life by believing in me and giving me the tools that I needed to educate myself.

What’s your favorite book?

Amelia Bedelia What is the key to happiness?

Doing things that you love and giving back to your community.

What is your biggest regret?

Honestly, I don’t feel that I regret making any decision I’ve made in my life. I feel the person I am now is because of everything I have had to go through in my life.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Believe in yourself, pursue your own goals, strive for your own happiness. Don’t look to anyone to make you happy. Whatever your happiness may be, go out there and search for it. Find it.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

Women have made tremendous progress throughout history.

We’ve accomplished a lot of things and I really believe that women now can do anything they set their minds to. So, I would say now. For me it’s about the future.

STAFF WRITER

Congratulations

Angelica Ibarra Plant City Times & Observer 2017 Wonder Woman

SavetheMoment.com

UnivInsPC.com

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Proud Members of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Christy

INSIDE CHRISTY’S HEAD

Layton happy, I’d always want to go back and help those causes.”

She said watching an animal blossom, watching one literally survive because of her assistance makes it all worth it. Just this week, Layton volunteered her time and operated on a dog from the Pet Resource Center that was going to be euthanized before a rescue group Layton works with intervened.

The rescued dog had a large mammary mass, an infected uterus and when they spayed her they found she had a dead puppy inside. Layton said thinking about how terrible that dog must’ve felt and knowing they were able to make a difference is the reason she dedicates her time to these causes.

That’s not to say she doesn’t have rough days. Layton said the last few weeks she had been in a “funk.”

Despite her nature to plan everything out she took her motorcycle out on a long ride. She doesn’t remember where she went, she just drove.

That “wind therapy” helped her clear her mind and she returned relaxed and recouped. Spending time with her sisters and nieces also acts as a balm when she begins to feel stressed or overwhelmed.

One of the many organizations she works with is Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation, for which she is the treasurer. The group started Vets4Pets in Tampa, which has veterinarians donate their time and resources to be able to help animals by providing spaying and neutering, vaccinations and giving them heartworm prevention along with other medications.

She said the program helps animals but ultimately helps their owners, too, as many will go without to make sure their pets are taken care of.

At her own clinic, Layton strives to provide a family atmosphere. She

What’s your favorite book?

Reading, “All Creatures Great and Small” as a kid probably helped guide me where I’m at today.

What is the key to happiness?

Recently, one of the things I’ve learned is to do more for myself. For me, that means giving more to the community ... I realized that’s truly what makes me happy.

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

f you have a pet in Plant City, odds are you’ve visited Timberlane Pet Hospital and Resort.

Christy Layton, the owner and main veterinarian for Timberlane, grew up in Plant City and has known since she was given her first horse at the age of 12 that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Her first horse was hurt and Layton began treating her. Afterwards, a local veterinarian offered her a job helping out around the office.

She’s been hooked ever since.

“I get my satisfaction from being able to do that, from being able to give,” Layton said. “I give my time and my money and whatever I have, my emotions. It makes my life better, I think it makes our community better. If we had more people that gave instead of took we’d probably be in a lot better place in the world. If we could make Plant City be the whole United States I think we’d have a lot less conflict than we do everywhere else.”

Layton has been involved in community service her entire life. She is currently the President of the Hillsborough Veterinary Medical Society as well as the Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee for the Florida Veterinary Medical Association.

She is an annual participant in Relay for Life and volunteers her time for Second Chance Friends, a rescue for pets of all kinds including dogs, cats and even horses.

Though she often finds herself stretched thin, Layton can’t imagine taking more time for herself.

“Honestly I thought many times about cutting back and to try to give up something,” Layton said. “But I haven’t been able to do that yet because I haven’t been able to pick a cause that I believe in less. There’s nothing I could give up and still be

Who inspired you?

My mom and my dad.

They both gave so much to the community growing up ... I think those are the types of things I saw and how much they gave and that’s probably where that giving mentality came from.

personally owns five dogs, two horses, two ball pythons and an umbrella cockatoo. She knows the importance of having a clinic you trust to take your animals to when they are sick or in need.

She wants people to come to Timberlane because they know the staff will treat the pets like their own. She said Plant City as a whole is a remarkable place to live and is constantly amazed at how the community will

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come together to help an animal in need.

“I’m blessed to be from Plant City,” Layton said. “I think I was raised in a small town for a reason. I like the small town feel and the fact that people know I do community service and know I use businesses that also do community service. I want to encourage others to give and be able to do my part and help wherever there is a need.”

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Be proud of yourself and what you are and support other women around you.

What is your biggest regret?

There’s always some decisions we wish we would’ve done differently, but nothing dramatic… without all of those things, good and bad, that happened I wouldn’t be who I am.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

Right now. As a woman, I feel like I’m more empowered now than I would’ve ever been able to be in the past.

STAFF WRITER

Congratulations Christy on being named one of the Wonder Women for 2017

We are proud of you

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PlantCityObserver.com

Emily

t first, the doctors thought it was a “cold in the joints.”

Nearly nine years ago, Emily Pierce, now 37, was on a field trip with her then-five-yearold daughter, Morgan.

“She had pain in her hip on her first field trip to MOSI,” Pierce said.

“Her hip hurt so bad she said she couldn’t walk. I had to carry her.”

It wasn’t a cold. Numerous doctors visits and tests later, Pierce and her family found out Morgan had neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that usually has fewer than 20,000 cases a year in the U.S. It’s most commonly found in children 18 and under.

“You don’t know what to do. You don’t know what to think,” Pierce said. “We’re still trying to make sense of it. It was very, very challenging.”

The family dynamic changed.

Pierce had to leave her job at a preschool. Her husband had to take on more work at his job doing welding and maintenance with Mosaic. Her older daughter, Allison, couldn’t play with her little sister as much.

New questions arose like how to treat the illness and where to treat it, eventually deciding New York’s Sloan Kettering was the best place for Morgan. Then they had to pay for it.

“We researched. We immersed ourselves in research,” Pierce said.

“We called everywhere, even as far as Germany. We decided on Sloan Kettering because the computer didn’t decide the therapy. For us, that was the best thing to do for Morgan. We had no idea how we were going to get to New York. “ That’s when Plant City stepped up. There were yard sales, bake sales and all manner of fundraisers to help

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

Pierce

Never stop working toward your goal and if you meet that goal create a new one and don’t stop working until you reach it and so on”.

— Emily Pierce

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV

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Congratulations Emily Pierce!

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

the Pierces get the treatment her family needed. Nine years later, they are still fighting, but Pierce, knowing firsthand the financial strain a cancer diagnosis can place on a family, does all she can to bring a little more stability to families battling childhood cancer.

“Plant City came together,” Pierce said. “That’s what sparked my fundraising. The way people banded together to help us, I knew there were people who wanted to give. I decided in my spare time, I could connect those who want to give and those they could give to.”

Today, Pierce is the executive vice president of the Florida Chapter of Jensen’s Heart of Gold, a charity that provides financial assistance to families battling childhood cancer.

Pierce has participated in countless fundraisers since 2009, many of which helped fund research, before joining Heart of Gold six years ago.

Heart of Gold’s focus, however, is more about the family.

Pierce remembers what it was like trying to apply for hardship assistance, digging through the tax paperwork, pulling electric bills, the tedious applications. It was another stressor in an already complicated life. She also remembers her neighbors coming together in the early days of their battle and pooling cash.

They told her husband it wasn’t for plane tickets or bills. It was to do something fun for the family.

Now, she pays that sentiment forward. Heart of Gold only has two questions for qualification: Do you live in Central Florida and are you a child with cancer? The money they give can be used for anything the family needs. In some cases, Pierce’s work has helped save Christmas for cancer families.

“There are lots of rules that go with available hardship funds,” Pierce said. “I don’t want there to be any stipulations. If you have a kid with cancer and you live in Central Florida, Jensen’s will give you money. It’s for making memories. It’s for whatever you need. It means a lot to me to do this…I think I’m doing what anybody else would do. I think there’s 20 moms right around us that would do the same thing. I pray that they don’t have to do it, but I think I’m like any other mom fighting for her kid and other kids like hers.”

INSIDE EMILY’S HEAD Who inspired you?

Moms who have a job, have other kids and still work to fund research and create wellness centers for parents and just reach out and do good work to help other families. Cancer moms.

What’s your favorite book?

Skipping Christmas What is the key to happiness?

Never stop working toward your goal and if you meet that goal create a new one and don’t stop working until you reach it and so on.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Always look forward, stay encouraged and don’t let nobody change your goal. If you have a goal that you want to meet, don’t let nobody tell you you can’t do it — because you can.

What is your biggest regret?

Not finishing college right out of high school.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

I think the ‘50s. The style is pretty cool, but women are starting to create their own voice at a time when they were expected to not have one. I think that’s really cool.

STAFF WRITER

Congrat ulat ions EMILY PIERCE

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Nia

Ramo rugs. Teenage pregnancy.

Divorce. Cancer.

Any one of those would be enough to tear a person down, throw in the towel or, at least, not try as hard. Nia Ramo has faced all four, coming out on top each time, and she hasn’t even reached 40.

Ramo, 37, is a married mother of four and the owner of Graphite Media, a Plant City-based social media and content marketing agency that specializes in working with small businesses. The five-year-old business she started while living in Atlanta is rapidly growing, her offices expanding into more and more of the Shoppes of the Arcade building’s retail space.

With her focus on small business, Ramo can boast helping local realtors, mechanics, construction companies and more establish and build their brands.

And it all started in a trailer on Coronet Road where Ramo was born. Her parents were 17 at the time. They had been married at 16. Ramo wound up the eldest of five and the only girl.

Her mom, Luwana Hughes, she said, taught her early on the values of responsibility and reward.

“I have the coolest mom ever,” Ramo said. “A lot of kids grow up with parents already being established adults and they know what’s up. My mom was 17, she had four kids by the time she was 21. When my parents divorced she was very young. She took care of the four of us. We never knew we were from a divorced family.”

Whether it was dance parties while cleaning the house or sending her to the store for groceries, letting her use the change for some candy, Ramo said her mom always found a way to push her and show her that even doing chores didn’t have to feel like a chore.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV

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“My mom, she’s my inspiration for everything,” Ramo said. “For being a good mom, a good wife and a good friend. With five children, you have to have a lot of patience.”

Her mother wasn’t the only strong woman who inspired Ramo. She decided to start Graphite in 2012. Her grandmother, Bonny Snow, handed her a $500 check to help get the business going. Ramo didn’t take the money, but said the gesture still brings tears to her eyes and it was Snow’s support that signaled Graphite would be a success.

“I didn’t do it alone,” Ramo said.

“The people that have gotten me here are so amazing.”

The road to “here” wasn’t easy for Ramo. She had her first child as a teenager, was married by 21 and had two more children. At 29, with a second marriage in the weeds and losing a business, she set off to Atlanta.

It was in Atlanta that she took a social media marketing course and began planting the seeds for Graphite.

Her boss at the time, Doug Klassan, joked that he’d work for her one day.

Now he does.

Over the next few years, the seeds grew. Eventually, the passion project became a part-time, then full-time job. In addition to the downtown Plant City offices, Graphite has an Atlanta location.

While building her own brand, Ramo was diagnosed with cancer, but she didn’t let it slow her down. Her family had to make a pit stop in Kentucky before resettling in Plant City a little more than a year ago.

Her journey, Ramo said, came down to the choices she made, good or bad, and how she responds.

“It’s about the choices,” she said.

“I choose happy. Some days it might happen later in the day, but I choose happy.”

INSIDE NIA’S HEAD Who inspired you?

Bobby Ehrnfeld. Justine Tillman. Luwana Hughes - “She set the bar. She encouraged me to be who I am. She showed me the way.” Bonny Snow - “She always taught me that family comes first and that family isn’t necessarily just blood.”

What’s your favorite book?

I read the Harry Potter series over and over again.

What is the key to happiness?

Bad things are going to happen to everybody.

It’s your choice to find happy in disappointment.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Surround yourself with people who are going to build you up and people who inspire you to be better ... be a better version of the person you were yesterday and love like you’re never going to get hurt.

What is your biggest regret?

I don’t have any ... every mistake, every missed opportunity, every bad choice, led me to where I am right now and I don’t regret a single one.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

The ‘20s ... women were starting to find their voices and the seeds of feminism were beginning to be planted. Civil rights became tangible.

STAFF WRITER

GFWC

Plant City Junior Woman’s Club couldn’t be more excited for Nia and would like to

CONGRATULATE her on being a 2017 Plant City Times & Observer Wonder Woman!

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Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

Photo by Deanna Hurley Photography

PlantCityObserver.com

Judy

Wise

hough Judy Wise was not born in Plant City, she quickly became a foundation in the community.

Wise has made it her goal to impact as many lives as possible in the time she is given on Earth. She equates her purpose to the markings on a tombstone. She said everything in life is summed up in the dash between when you are born and when you die.

“It’s all about the dash,” Wise said.

“All about what you do in the time between.”

One of Wise’s current roles is as the veterans chairman for the Elks Lodge.

She became involved with the organization because she said the lodge was a “very benevolent group of people” and that veterans were close to her heart.

Outside of the Elks, Wise has volunteered her time with multiple organizations and events in town, including the Liberty Manor for Veterans, Meals on Wheels, Republican Women’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Woman’s Club of Plant City and more.

Wise’s parents taught her the importance of giving back to the community at a young age. Every year her

mother would raise a garden, can the vegetables and give the food to the needy. Her father ran a country grocery store and, when he died, the family found a large box full of bills he had never collected. Wise said she felt obligated to carry on their love of others and hopes to continue to do so for years to come.

“I personally have been blessed,” Wise said. “I’ve had tragedies just like everybody else in their life but I feel so blessed and I want to give back.”

She said staying home all day and watching the news, regardless of what station is on, will overwhelm you with the amount of “bad” happening in the world. She said she wants to do something good to help balance out the bad, to make this world a better place.

Wise said part of her drive is the fact that for years she was unable to serve others the way she wanted to because of her demanding job. She often found herself driving through Plant City on her way to work and quickly fell in love with the town. When it came time to move, she knew exactly where she wanted to call home.

“I would drive through it and I would get this feeling of peace, of generosity and home,” Wise said.

“This was a Norman Rockwell town.

It’s proved to be everything I thought it would be and more.”

Though Wise moved here in 1998, it wasn’t until 2005, when she ended her career, that she was able to dedicate the time she wanted to all of the civic organizations and clubs that captured her interest.

She jumped headfirst into multiple groups and over the years has chaired, run and been on boards of many of the major organizations in town. Wise said she’s not a sewer and not a knitter, so volunteering was her preferred

BREANNE WILLIAMS

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Be open to the stories of your family, your ancestors. Who better to give you guidelines than people who have already made mistakes and overcame them?

And in some cases use it as an example of what not to do.”

— Judy Wise

way of spending her time.

“I don’t have much free time,” Wise said. “My husband says, ‘I see you swish in and I see you swish out.’

I hope I never regret that, spending so much time away from home. But I have this drive to help others and I know I wouldn’t be happy just sitting around all day.”

Wise said the joy that comes from helping others is contagious and hopes others in the community who haven’t gotten involved yet will dive in and “get their feet wet.” She said there are lots of ways for even busy people to make a difference if they feel the call to service and recommended they volunteer with an event that only happens once a year, like the Empty Bowls drive for the United Food Bank of Plant City, or the Florida Strawberry Festival.

If everyone were to get involved with something, there would be no limit to what the city could do, Wise said. She said she hopes her granddaughter and the younger generation growing up in Plant City will see their elders taking time to help others and carry on in their footsteps.

“Whatever legacy I can help leave for this city I’m leaving for them, for my granddaughter and my family and everybody else’s grandchildren and family,” Wise said. “If I can do something to help, or improve, or move ahead I want to do it and I think that’s what drives me.”

13

INSIDE JUDY’S HEAD Who inspired you?

My father because of his big heart, his community service, his influence on my conservatism.

He never seemed to have a bad word about anybody.

What’s your favorite book?

My favorite fiction book is Testimony of Two Men

by Taylor Caldwell.

What is the key to happiness?

Being true to yourself.

You can’t pretend to be something and be happy.

What advice would you give to the current generation of young women?

Be open to the stories of your family, your ancestors. Who better to give you guidelines than people who have already made mistakes and overcame them?

And in some cases use it as an example of what not to do.

What is your biggest regret?

I had a teacher who took me under her wing. She took me to church and just helped me make some good life decisions. And I let that lady pass away without me, I told her thank you, but I never felt like I expressed myself good enough to her on how much influence that she had on me. If I could go back, she would know.

If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?

Right now. I like living where we are right now.

STAFF WRITER

CONGRATULATIONS

JUDY WISE

on being a Plant City Times & Observer

Wonder Woman 2017!

Plant City Republican Women Meetings are the 3rd Thursday each month at Plant City Rentals 1701 James Redman Parkway Meet and greet at 6:30 with meeting at 7.

Congratulations to

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

PCPD armored vehicle funding sparks protest at commission meeting Members of a Bay Area advocacy group questioned the $335k expenditure.

DANIEL FIGUEROA IV STAFF WRITER

The City Commission’s final public hearing on the 2017-2018 budget ended with chants of protest after commissioners approved $335,000 in funding for the Plant City Police Department to purchase an armored tactical vehicle.

Nearly 15 people spoke Monday during the mandatory public hearing to ask why priority is being given to the purchase of an armored vehicle instead of measures being taken for accountability and transparency in the wake of the July shooting death of Jesus Cervantes by two Plant City police officers. It was the only contested area of the budget during the hearing.

Cervantes, a father of four with no previous criminal convictions, was shot and killed by Plant City police officers Gerald Baker and Derek Hartmann July 5 after police said Cervantes made a frantic 911 call requesting help. The call ended with Cervantes being chased by police and shot after crashing into a BP gas station on Park Road. Police said Cervantes attempted to run an officer’s

Play for a Cure Jensen’s Heart of Gold aims to offer a day of fun for kids while raising awareness of childhood cancer.

vehicle off the road, prompting the chase, and refused to show his hands after the crash, causing officers to fear for their lives and shoot.

Following the conclusion of an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office issued a letter Sept.

6 stating the use of deadly force was justified.

Since the Cervantes shooting, members of the Bay Area advocacy group Restorative Justice Coalition have been attending city commission meetings to ask commissioners for reforms in PCPD they think will prevent future deaths and allow for more transparency, including the implementation of body cameras.

“Your community asked you for accountability. We asked you for transparency. We asked you for funding for body and dash cameras and what did you do? You ask for an armored vehicle,” Justin Garcia, a Plant City resident, said. “One which costs over five times what it would cost for steps toward trust in your community. In your highlights you say your vehicle is for protecting citizens. But who does it really protect?

It protects those inside the vehicle.

And from what? The Plant City riots occurring every weekend?”

Jack Myers, a local pastor who gave the meeting’s invocation, said he supports the funding of the vehicle because it could help in “desperate”

times.

“I’m for the vehicle,” Myers said.

“And the reason why is because if Irma hit us at a category 5, people would get desperate. When they get desperate they loot, they’ll even kill.”

Myers said he also believes dash and body cameras would be a good investment, but he trusts in the commission’s decision making.

“I do believe that we should have some body cams and dash cams. It’s a great investment as well, but there’s always a reason why there’s something that’s going to be presented and somebody looking into the future,” he added. “I believe the commission, when they begin to present items, they look at things in the future. I don’t think they waste tax payers money.”

Sydney Eastman countered Myers’ assertion.

“That sounded like a joke,” Eastman said. “The response to desperation is provision, not force.”

Police Chief Ed Duncan said first responders are called off if winds exceed 45 to 50 mph. The vehicle would allow PCPD to respond to any disaster, natural or manmade.

“To not be able to get some sort of resource or help to them,” he said, “that would be devastating for us.”

Each year, Duncan said, PCPD is allotted funds to purchase new vehicles. This year, he extended the life of current vehicles to allow for the pur-

chase of the tactical vehicle without asking for additional funding.

“Giving our officers and all of our first responders the opportunity to perform at a high level of efficiency, I think, is invaluable,” Duncan said.

“I know that they are expensive. I know that they are an expensive item.

That’s why I looked at the ability to purchase an item like this without an adverse effect to the budget.”

At the close of public hearing commissioners voted to adopt the budget without commenting on the public hearing or making any adjustments.

“I already had the information I needed,” Mayor Rick Lott said.

“There was no new information that night that was given to me to persuade me not to support that item in the budget.”

After the budget’s approval, members of the RJC began chanting and were removed from City Hall. They stood outside, chanting with signs until the building closed. Members chanted at Lott as he walked to his car and drove away.

Following the meeting, Eastman, outreach coordinator for the RJC, said the group went to City Hall with no intention of protesting in the middle of the meeting. However, members of the group were outraged after commissioners passed the budget without making any comments about the statements and questions from the public hearing.

“Our original plan was just to hear what they had to say,” Eastman said.

“We had a lot of questions and we still haven’t had answers to those.

We didn’t have any plan to disrupt the meeting.”

Eastman said Lott told the RJC he’d be willing to meet with them after the investigation into the shooting concluded.

“He said we’d have to wait until the FDLE investigation was over,” She said. “Now that it is, we still haven’t heard anything. Aside from the frustration we are feeling, I think others are starting to feel the frustration with a governing body that doesn’t listen to their constituents.”

Lott said he would be happy to have a meeting with RJC founder Angel D’Angelo, with whom he said there is a mutual respect.

In 2014, just before Duncan took over as chief, the City Commission approved using a Justice Department grant to purchase body cameras.

However, Duncan felt the department was not prepared to handle the full operational costs of body cameras. Duncan said there are no current plans to bring a body camera program to Plant City.

“I know that people have come to the commission saying people are afraid to come and speak on their own behalf,” Duncan said. “I don’t see that and I am in the community every day.”

BREANNE WILLIAMS

and awareness for Jensen’s, a charity that provides financial assistance to families battling childhood cancer, and child cancer research.

“We want to have activities for kids because we feel like children shouldn’t be fighting cancer,” Emily Pierce, the executive vice president of the Florida Chapter of Jensen’s Heart of Gold, said. “We want people to know that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. We also want kids

to play. Kids that have cancer, kids that don't have cancer, any kids. All kids deserve the right to play.”

Play for a Cure is a free event that will have approximately 30 booths with activities like corn hole, a magic show, blow-up bowling, make your own slime, snow cones, Chick-Fil-A giveaways, face painting and more.

The Plant City Police Department is bringing a squad car to the event and the Plant City Fire Department is

bringing a fire truck as a show-andtell for kids.

Over the past five years, Jensen’s has helped over 60 families and raised over $50,000.

Play for a Cure is sponsored by Abdoney Pediatric Dentistry, Christian Financial Counseling and 2 Promote U. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine.

STAFF WRITER

No child should have to fight cancer and every child deserves the right to play. These concepts are the guiding principles behind Jensen’s Heart of Gold Play for a Cure.

The event will offer over a dozen activities for children at the train depot in downtown Plant City while simultaneously raising both money

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

to “squeeze a nickel into a dime,” he said “this is the only logical step.”

WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS

Last year, city employees received a 7.5% raise based on a study that showed city workers were paid 16-17% below the market value of their positions. The new budget includes another 7.5% increase. Additionally, the city will cover the costs of a 20% increase to health insurance premiums for employees.

Police and fire department employees get paid on a “stepped” plan that will increase by 2.5% on the employees anniversary date.

Additionally, the city increased it’s workforce from about 420 employees to 428. The budget also includes $10,000 for a tuition reimbursement program for employees seeking a degree.

NOTICE OF SALE In accordance with the provisions of State Law there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy and owner and/or manager’s lien of goods hereinafter described and stored at: Rentlok Self Storage located at 1205 S Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-2800. And due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties know to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold at public auction at the above stated locations to the highest bidder or otherwise disposed of on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017 @ 9:30 AM. OR ANY DATE THERE IN AFTER. Yolanda Cora–Household Casey Dempsey–Household Ronald Griffin–Household

CITY OF PLANT CITY FISCAL YEAR 2017-18

Robert Gunn–Household Whitney Hall–Household Zedrick Robinson–Household

Time for New Glasses?

Total Revenues - $75,051,352 Stormwater fund 4%

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

According to the city manager’s office, “As the second largest city in Hillsborough County, and the largest city in Hillsborough County along the I-4 corridor, the city’s number one priority is Economic Development.”

The new budget includes $125,000 for the Plant City Economic Development Corporation to fund “creating new jobs, investment of new capital, and expansion of the local tax base in Plant City. During the last year, the EDC has helped bring in C.W. Roberts, a leading asphalt producer, and Mexico-based Peninsula Steel to Plant City. They also facilitated the expansions of Dart Manufacturing, Toufayan Bakery and Patterson Companies, among other expansions and relocations.

Other major areas of economic development funding include $65,000 to the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, $50,000 to the 1914 Plant City High School building and $50,000 to Plant City Main Street.

Each year, Lott said, the city looks to focus on improving the city as a whole, while addressing specific issues on a year-to-year basis. One of the major areas last year was funding Plant City’s third fire station, which will focus on the developing northeast portion of the city. This year roads were the focus. Commissioners have already begun conversations as to what the next step could be, including beefing up some understaffed agencies like the police department.

“This year, like every year, we have a budget that makes vast improvements to our city,” Lott said. “Now, we to look to other areas we can improve.”

During the mandatory public hearing before budget approval the only item contested was the approval of more than $300,000 for the police

was approved to receive grant money for the purchase of body cameras.

The police department, at the time, lobbied the commission to approve the purchase, which it did. However, Police Chief Ed Duncan took over the department shortly after and decided against the purchase.

No changes or comments were made to the budget before its unanimous approval, prompting protest chants from members of the RJC. Kilton abstained from voting on the approval of EDC funding due to a conflict of interest.

Water/ Sewer Fund 5%

Industrial Park Fund 0%*

Solid Waste Fund 0%*

Water/ Sewer Debt 4%

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FROM PAGE 1

department to purchase an armored tactical vehicle. Members of the Restorative Justice Coalition, a Bay Area advocacy group, spoke out against the funding, asking commissioners to channel those funds to the purchase of body cameras and dash cameras for accountability and transparency following the July shooting death of Jesus Cervantes by Plant City police.

“The city doesn’t need a $300,000 tactical vehicle,” Plant City resident Dezerey Lyn said. “It needs humanity.”

In 2014, Plant City applied for an

15

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

LOCATED AT 1205 S Alexander Street Plant City, FL 33563 813 - 759 - 2800

www.drgaffney.com

813.754.3593 | 2002 S. Alexander St., Plant City, FL 33563

General Fund $32,521,961 40%

Community Redevelopment Agency 11%

We are your independent insurance agent in Plant City, Florida LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Parks Impact Fees 24%

• Home Owners Insurance • Business Insurance • Life Insurance • Auto Insurance

Law Enforcement Trust 0%* Federal Equitable 0%* Ticket Surcharge 3%

Police Impact Fees 2% Fire Impact Fees 0%*

CDBG 3%

Debt Service Fund 2%

Capital Projects Fund 1%

Street Fund 2%

Community Investment Tax 0%* Cemetery Escrow 0%*

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Budget

|

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PlantCityObserver.com

Call for your quote: 813-752-5225 204 N. Collins St., Plant City, FL 33563 | blacksinsurance.com

PLANT CITY’S BEST LOCAL AUCTION HOUSE! New & General Merchandise | Silver & Gold Coins Tools | Furniture | Jewelry | Antiques | Collectibles

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$27,003,825 19,888 27,881 10,075 1,843,052 58,469 41,348

$29,010,080 - 10,000 15,000 2,172,841 30,000 8,000

$29,044,138 40,996 117,433 15,000 2,172,841 30,000 38,000

$27,465,360 - 30,500 10,100 1,901,900 51,700 10,200

1,105,389 2,067,286 1,180,317 986,329 101,526 146,910 98,251

384,556 2,033,301 1,171,277 1,340,000 550,000 - 100,000

609,529 2,033,301 1,171,277 1,340,000 550,000 - 100,000

599,529 2,751,527 1,171,277 1,340,000 - - -

910,572 25,015,634 2,508,421 6,774,235 3,246,397 (1,833) 3,164,710 3,929,059 $80,237,743

1,092,420 17,734,580 - 7,718,105 3,349,699 40,000 3,164,712 2,699,780 $72,624,351

2,377,412 21,183,837 3,363,500 7,718,105 3,349,699 40,000 3,164,712 2,772,780 $81,232,560

2,377,412 16,734,534 - 6,685,937 2,674,981 2,300 3,164,712 2,699,780 $69,671,749

410,000 4,858,671 1,170,341 435,000 100,000 105,000 165,000 1,282,973 16,440,168 6,838,384 3,149,873 40,000 3,164,711 1,824,550 $75,051,352

$1,372,600 $1,413,777 $1,413,777 $1,413,777 $1,762,391 27,800 38,461 38,461 38,461 40,199 232,593 239,571 239,571 239,571 246,758 789,657 787,841 787,841 787,841 788,920 986,329 1,340,000 1,340,000 1,340,000 435,000 7,900,702 247,494 247,494 247,534 254,468 533,459 21,490 21,490 21,490 3,164,710 3,164,712 3,164,712 3,164,712 3,164,711 1,225,800 - 45,802 - $16,233,649 $7,253,346 $64,004,093 $65,371,005

$$

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$32,521,961 38,500 112,000 15,000 2,300,920 35,300 43,000

DEDUCT INTERFUND TRANSFERS General Fund CDBG Street Fund Debt Service Capital Projects Fund Water/Sewer Fund Stormwater Fund Water/Sewer Debt Service Fleet Replacement Fund TOTAL INTERFUND TRANSFERS NET TOTAL REVENUES

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REVENUES General Fund Law Enforcement Trust Federal Equitable Ticket Surcharge Community Investment Tax Cemetery Escrow Library Donations Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Street Fund Debt Service Fund Capital Projects Fund Fire Impact Fees Police Impact Fees Parks Impact Fees Community Redevelopment Agency Water/Sewer Fund Water/Sewer RR&I Solid Waste Fund Stormwater Fund Industrial Park Fund Water/Sewer Debt Service Fleet Replacement TOTAL REVENUES

2016-17 2016-17 2016-17 2017-18 2015-16 ADOPTED REVISED PROJECTED PROPOSED ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET

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16

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

|

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

We asked: How soon is too soon to start decorating for Christmas?

“If I see them before October, that’s not OK. Halloween is coming around and you’ve got the mesh of the lights and decorations and it’s not a good thing.

Any time after Halloween is probably good.”

— Gabe Petri, 19

“You gotta give Halloween a chance. So after Halloween.”

—Xenia Berdy, 21

“Before Thanksgiving is too soon.”

—Ron Moulden, 59

“Right now people are decorating for Christmas and it’s too soon. It takes away from the magic, I think. I put up, honestly, right after Thanksgiving.”

“You don’t decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Up to and through Thanksgiving we need to be focusing on Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving you focus on Christmas.”

—Sherry Brown, 42

— Sherry Scheitler, 64

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PLANT CITY TIMES &

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER Locally owned by Ed Verner, Karen Berry, Nate Kilton and Felix Haynes The Plant City Times & Observer is published by Plant City Media LLC, a jointventure of the Tampa Bay Times and Plant City Observer LLC.

1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103 Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com ©Copyright Plant City Media LLC 2014 All Rights Reserved

CONTACT US The Plant City Times & Observer is published once weekly, on Fridays. It is inserted into the Tampa Bay Times for subscribers. The Plant City Times & Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103.

SEND US YOUR NEWS We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements.

If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com.

TO ADVERTISE

Mail: The Plant City Times & Observer, 1507 S. Alexander St., Suite 103, Plant City, FL 33563

Call Al Berry, Danny Crampton or Chandler Workman at (813) 704-6850.

Observer Publisher / Karen Berry, KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com Managing Editor / Sarah Holt, SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editor / Sports Editor / Justin Kline, JKline@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Daniel Figueroa IV, DFigueroa@PlantCityObserver.com Staff Writer / Breanne Williams, BWilliams@PlantCityObserver.com Editorial Designer / C.J. Major, cmajor@yourobserver.com Circulation/ Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, LLancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” — Friedrich Hayek, “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

|

17

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

STATE FARM® AGENT

Tony Lee CLU, CHFC 813.752.7202 249673

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CARPET STEAM CLEANING

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The Plant City Daybreak Rotary Club grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for those in attendance.

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FROM PAGE 1

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813.754.1766 Office 813.754.5166 Home 813.759.8984 Fax Crafted goods, like specialized Christmas ornaments and stockings, were available.

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Vendors were able to give expert advice on the care and upkeep of plants.

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One vendor was selling a carved Hogwarts banner.

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Garden Fest and so we thought it would be neat to do something like that and to have it in the Historic Downtown because it’s kind of about bringing people to our downtown area,” Darcy Stottlemeyer, co-chair of the event and owner of All A Bloom Florist, said. “The other cities around here do it in the spring so we wanted to do something in the fall.”

Stottlemeyer said the event continues to be easier to plan now that the club has consistent vendors that participate. The Garden Club makes it a point to make sure the products offered at the event are diverse and will even limit the event’s size to ensure there is no major competition between sellers.

“I felt like the Garden Club, part of our mission is to educate the public and that’s what we aim to do here,” Cassandra Banning, founder of the Garden Fest and a member of the Garden Club, said. “It brings knowledgeable vendors, which is a good way to educate on gardening, so people can ask the questions they have about different plants and how to care for them.”

That in-depth knowledge is one of the major draws to the event. Each plant vendor can tell shoppers exactly how to care for the flowers and fruit trees they sold and, in many cases, were even offering advice on how to make the plants the shopper had at home flourish.

Jan Griffin, the chair of the event and vice president of the Garden Club, said the feedback has always been overwhelmingly positive for the event. Just walking around she said she saw a mix of both amateur and expert gardeners perusing the plants.

The event is intended to offer a little something for everyone so even those who have no prior experience with plants can enjoy the many booths full of unique goods.

After Hurricane Irma barreled through Plant City, Griffin said many in attendance were having to replace staple pieces from their landscaping and were coming to the event to find those coveted plants.

Griffin said while she thinks the event is nice she’s hoping next year they can work on improving advertising for the event so even more people can attend. The Garden Fest is one of the largest events for the club, along with the Flower Show in November and the Horticulture Show at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Banning, however, said it is by far one of the best events offered all year.

“It’s free and parking is free, it’s one of the few things you don’t have to pay a dime for,” Banning said. “It’s a good place to come and learn and explore your other interests, as well.”

813-986-1266

249347

Photos by Breanne Williams

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

NEWS BRIEFS

TWO DISEASES that discriminate.

TWO TESTS that level the playing field.

File photo

Ulta Beauty is located next to Marshalls in the Lake Walden Square plaza.

3D MAMMOGRAM & DEXA BONE DENSITY TEST

Schools make up for lost time during Hurricane Irma Hillsborough County Public Schools will convert four early release days into regular school days to make up for missed time during Hurricane Irma. School will not dismiss an hour early on these Mondays: Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, they will instead be full-length days.

Some elementary schools are Extra Reading Time (ERT) schools. If your child goes to an ERT school, you will be notified of a separate schedule change.

Breast cancer and osteoporosis are two diseases that affect women by an overwhelming majority. Fortunately, there are two tests—in one convenient location—that can provide the early detection that is so critical to their effective treatment.

At Plant City Imaging you can have a 3D mammogram, the most advanced breast screening available – and a next-generation DEXA bone density test, a truly state-of-the-art screening for osteoporosis – during a single visit.

• Superior image quality • Expert physicians

• Lower cost • Fewer call-backs

MRI

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CT

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U LT R A S O U N D

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X - R AY

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donation to Raider Champions Foundation. The gift helped the organization raise even more money as $25,000 was used as a matching gift to various programs of Plant City High School.

Raider Champions board chair Yvonne Fry and board members Susan Sullivan and Tim Leeseberg presented the plaque to Rick and a bouquet of flowers to Di as a thank you. Board member Lori Yarbrough made the announcement from the booth.

MAMMOGRAPHY

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Ulta Grand Opening Friday, Oct. 6 Ulta Beauty, located on 243 W. Alexander St. will have its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6. The first 100 guests each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will receive a “beauty treat” valued between $5 and $100 and they can choose 10% off their first salon appointment at The Salon at Ulta Beauty or first facial appointment at the Dermalogica Skin Bar. Ulta will have 20,000 beauty products and over 500 brands as well as a full-service salon and M.A.C. artist for makeup services. Nationwide, there are 974 Ulta retail stores across the 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Mayor makes donation to Raider Champions Foundation Blue Shirt Day on Rick and Di Lott made a $50,000 Oct. 2

Schedule your mammogram and bone density test together by calling 813-750-1724.

The first Monday of each October is Blue Shirt Day World Day of Bullying Prevention. People are encouraged to wear blue in order to draw attention to the importance of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month each October. Limited edition 2017 blue shirts are available at www. stompoutbullying.org. Thousands of schools across the country are participating.

9/22/17 10:11 AM

Plant City Photo Archives & History Center Tuesdays at the Archives OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • NO ADMISSION FEE

“An Evening of Authors, Books, DVDs and More” Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 5:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Co-Sponsored by the Friends of the Bruton Memorial Library

Photo Archives & History Center, 106 South Evers Street, Plant City, Florida Refreshments

501c(3) organization

SAVE THE DATE

Plant City Christmas Parade—December 1, 2017 2017 Christmas Parade: The Christmas Parade Inc. directors will be accepting only 80 quality units in this year’s Christmas Parade, not including politicians or local officials. ALL participants MUST have a representative from their business, organization, or church attend the MANDATORY Safety Meeting to be held on November 27, 2017 at the Plant City High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Any group who is not represented at the safety meeting will not be allowed to participate in the Christmas Parade.

BOOKS Nick Brown Gilbert V. Gott Ersula Knox Odom

Parade Applications are now available and can be downloaded from our website: www.pcchristmasparade.homestead.com or can be obtained at the Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

Ken Cassels Felix Haynes Lois Sherrouse-Murphy

Alvin Futch Lauren McNair and Gil Gott The Pioneers of Hopewell

CHILDREN’S BOOKS Adjectives Nouns Pirate Treasure Christmas Long Ago Prefixes and Suffixes

SAVE THE DATE

Pronouns Betty Q. Investigates Synonyms and Antonyms Verbs Community Helpers

Agricultural Engineering Homonyms Adverbs School Days

DVDS

Barbeque Chicken Dinner Fundraiser—October 6, 2017 Location: Stingray Chevrolet—I-4 @ Park Road, Plant City

Charleene Closshey

An Evergreen Christmas

An enchanting Christmas story featuring Plant City’s own Charleene Closshey.

11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Ed Verner, et al.

Donation—$10.00 (All proceeds directly benefit the 2017 Christmas Parade) For more info contact: Bob Fulks @ 813-365-0275 or Henry Falcon @ 813-754-9338

Dancing with the Wind

Sailing video, original music by Ed Verner, and scenery shot in the Gulf and Bay.

Plant City Chamber of Commerce

The World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake

18-minute video of Plant City’s world record strawberry shortcake, February 19, 1999.

Christmas Parade Sponsors are needed

Plant City Christmas Parade, Inc. P.O. Box 4043, Plant City, FL 33563

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Contact Sharon Moody @ 813-453-7134, Marsha Passmore @ 813-245-2244 Or Dodie White @ 813-927-0595

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18

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

FIFTH ANNUAL BIERTOBERFEST 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. At Keel and Curley Winery and Two Henrys Brewing Company. German Bier, German food, games and more. The brewers have four German style beers to introduce, plus 12 additional beers and ciders. Entrance is free.

FRIDAY, OCT. 6

PANERA GOES PINK Panera will be donating 100% of the proceeds from each Pink Rib-

19

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

JENSEN’S HEART OF GOLD PLAY FOR A CURE 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free event is held at the Train Depot in Historic Downtown Plant City. There will be corn hole, a magic show, face painting, a bake sale and more. The event is to raise awareness about cancer, specifically childhood cancer, and a blood mobile will be on site to take donations.

File photo

bon Bagel to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center. Pre-orders are currently accepted online at www.paneraflorida. com or at your local cafe.

ONGOING BINGO AT THE AMERICAN LEGION 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Every Saturday.

Papers sold and kitchen opens at 5 p.m. Bingo is 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Plant City American Legion is located at 2207 W. Baker St. GRIEF SHARE CLASS 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Hope Lutheran Church is hosting a grief share class series. The course will be a seminar and a support group for those grieving the loss

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS CLUB #4051 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Thursdays at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 S. Evers St., Plant City. New members welcome.

of someone close. Each session includes a video and group discussion. Both the morning and the evening session will be identical. To register for either or for more information contact Rev. Dean Pfeffer at 813-752-4622.

DIABETES PREVENTION CLASS 16 WEEK SERIES 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the United Food Bank of Plant City, 702 E Alsobrook St # H. UFB is hosting a diabetes prevention class, which will be taught by registered dietitians and health educators. The series is free to the public. Registration is required. Contact 813-3078015 Ext. 7111.

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA REGISTER FOR UPCOMING…

YOUTH SPORTS

ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Family Restaurant, 1701 S. Alexander St. 813-7648818.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC 6:33 to 8:33 p.m. Thursdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. 813-752-1220.

THE CLASSROOM GALLERY 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays at the 1914 Plant City High

School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Art is on display by members of the East Hillsborough Art Guild.

DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB 1 p.m. Fridays at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 302 Carey St. For more information, call Walt Arnold at 813-752-1602.

KEEL AND CURLEY LIVE MUSIC 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road. 813-752-9100.

KRAZY KUP LIVE MUSIC 8:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays, at Krazy Kup, 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd. 813-752-1220.

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FOOD TRUCK RALLY 5 to 9 p.m. The monthly Plant City Food Truck Rally is held the last Friday of each month in Historic Downtown. The following food trucks are scheduled for September: Around the World Burgers, CJ’s Traveling Pizzeria, In the Middle Food Truck, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Express, The Kitchen by Devin Davis, Melt Machine, Papa Ron’s Cajun Creole, Rolling with my Hoagies, Sawadee Thai Food, Tamale and Company and Chief’s Chill Out. OPENING WEEKEND — SIR HENRY’S HAUNTED TRAIL 7:30 p.m. Henry’s Haunted Trail is opening its gates for its fourth season Friday. There are two completely remodeled trails called “Curse of the Hollow Oak” and “Resurrection.”

Henry’s will be open 12 select nights throughout October. MAX 98.3 will be broadcasting live from the event on Sept. 30. The trail is also hosting Ominous Descent Haunted Attraction this season. Located at 2837 South Frontage Road. Ticket information at www.sirhenryshauntedtrail.com.

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PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE Headed on a great trip? Did you take the Observer with you on vacation? Send your pictures to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com to be featured.

Taking care of each other is what

community

NO SOUR GRAPES: Dr. John Aime visited Napa Valley for five days in August and, as he noted in his submission, brought a copy of the Observer with an appropriate headline: “Having a Ball.”

is all about.

our community with personal, compassionate care since 1896.

As your Dignity Memorial® professionals, WE’ RE PROU D TO S ERV E

Ricky ‘Little Rick’ Kerrn

Diane Odom > 100% Service Guarantee Peter Finucane-Terlop > National Plan Transferability Henry Mabry > Bereavement Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline®

Taking care of each other R is what

Peter Finucane-Terlop, 19, of Plant City died Sept. 3, 2017.

A Celebration of Life was held Sept.

Diane Odom Henry Mabry, 60, of at Wells Memorial in Plant City.

Mulberry, went to be with the Lord on supporting23rd Proudly the Plant City Strawberry Festival.

September 20.

Expressions of condolence at www.

HopewellFuneral.com.

Ricky “Little Rick” Kerrn, 44, of Dover, born on September 7, 1973 in Plant City, entered into eternal rest on September 9.

Expressions of condolence at www.

HopewellFuneral.com.

community

HOPEWELL FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971

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Florist

James A. ‘Jim’ Coker

James A. “Jim” Coker went to his eternal rest on September 8, 2017.

He was married to Ada Dean Coker and they would have celebrated their 75th Anniversary in December.

He was retired from U.S. Steel Corp. He proudly served in the U.S. WELLSMEMORIAL.COM FUNERAL HOME • MEMORIAL GARDENS Army from 1942 to 1945 and the 75th www.HopewellFuneraI.com we’re dedicated to helping families createDivision a WE’ RE PROU D TO S ERV E our community Artillery, awarded a French HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate care since 1896. award and fought in three Battle of ® life it represents.

As your Dignity Memorial professionals, Wells MeMorial & celebrates event the Center the Bulge’s and was one of the few rePlanTM. CiTyLee maining survivors from World War II. Irene > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability James was predeceased by two ALL OBITUARIES ARE WellsMemorial.com Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement 813-752-1111 sons, James L. Coker and Darryl D. PROVIDED BY FUNERAL Irene M. Lee, 87, of Plant City passed Coker. Survivors include his wife Ada HOMES AND FAMILIES. away September 20, 2017.

M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1 10/27/15 AM Dean10:42 Coker, son Daniel A. Coker, Celebration service was held at daughter in law Jo Coker, 7 grandBaptist, Dover on Sept.

Proudly supportingCountryside the Plant City Strawberry Festival. children and 12 great grandchildren.

25th.

Grandsons served as pallbearers.

Received Military Honors at cemetery.

is all about.

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we’re dedicated to helping families create a unique and meaningful memorial that truly celebrates the life it represents.

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for New widows beginningsand widowers.

for widows and widowers.

LIFT ® is a social support program that helps widows and widowers adjust to the loss of a spouse by providing hope to reinforce a sense of wholeness and purpose in those who may be feeling lost or isolated.

We invite you to join us at our next Dignity Memorial LIFT even Plant City Dignity Memorial LIFT Program The 3rd Monday of Every Month Wells Memorial and Event Center, The Tranquility Room 1903 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563

Please RSVP to: Wells Memorial 813-752-1111

® isprogram by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, a socialthat support program helps widowsSponsored and widowers LIFT ® is a socialLIFT support helps widows andthat widowers LIFT is Open to All Widows and Widowers cremation and cemetery providers, the LIFT program adjust to the lossadjust of a spouse providing hope tobyreinforce a sense of to reinforce to thebyloss of a spouse providing hope a senseandofentertaining. There are no fees is both educational by theorDignity network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers, t wholeness and purpose in those may beinfeeling ormay isolated. dues participate.

Dignity Memorial LIFT members wholeness andwho purpose thoselost who beSponsored feeling lost ortoMemorial isolated.

LIFT program is are bothonly educational and entertaining. areornopersonal fees or dues to participat responsible for their ownThere meals Dignity Memorial LIFT members are only responsible for their own meals or personal expen expenses. Participation is not restricted to those who have Participation is not restricted to those who have been served by Dignity Memorial providers been served by Dignity Memorial providers.

We invite youWe to join us at ourtonext Memorial LIFT event. invite you joinDignity us at our next Dignity Memorial LIFT event.

Plant City Dignity Memorial LIFT Program Plant City Dignity Memorial LIFT Program The 3rd Monday of Every Month

The 3rd Monday of Every Month

Wells Memorial and Event Center, The Tranquility Room

Wells Memorial and Event Center, The Tranquility WellsRoom Memorial and Event Center

1903 West Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563

LIFT is Open to All Widows and Widowers

Please RSVP to: Wells Memorial 813-752-1111

LIFT iscremation Open to and All Widows Widowers Sponsored by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cemetery and providers, the LIFT program is both educational and entertaining. There are no fees or dues to participate.

Dignity Memorial LIFT members are only responsible for their own meals or personal expenses.

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Light refreshments will be served www.wellsmemorial.com

Sponsored by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers, the

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

SPORTS

FIELD OF

Do you have a good sports scoop for us?

Email Justin Kline at jkline@ plantcityobserver.com.

DREAMS

Check out game results Due to complications from Hurricane Irma, all three Plant City-area schools moved their Sept. 29 games back.

Because results from Wednesday’s and Thursday’s games were not available at press time, they can be viewed online at plantcityobserver.com. Durant played at Newsome Wednesday and Strawberry Crest played at Plant City Thursday.

Roy Schmidberger hopes to help Plant City’s football program achieve goals set 10 seasons ago.

PCHS XC wins North Port Invite Plant City’s boys varsity cross country team took home the gold at the Sept. 23 North Port Invitational at North Port High School.

The Raiders beat out 28 other teams for the trophy with four top-25 finishes. Wyatt Kroeger led the team with an 11th-place finish at a time of 18:06.70. Danny Ramirez (14th, 18:23.50), Jorge Cardona (18th, 18:39.50) and Tyler Carter (19th, 18:42.70) rounded out the rest of the Raiders’ top finishers.

The Plant City girls placed seventh in the tournament, led by secondplace finisher Cassie Highsmith’s time of 19:35.00.

The Raiders will compete today in the FLRunners.com Invitational at Holloway Park in Lakeland.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Photos by Justin Kline

TCYFCC SCORES

Roy Schmidberger works hundreds of hours behind the scenes for the Raiders every year.

(home teams marked with *) SEPT. 23 MIGHTY MITES

Brandon Broncos 32, Dover Patriots* 0 Turkey Creek Trojans 25, New Tampa Wildcats* 24 Plant City Dolphins* 46, Brandon Cowboys 0 PEE WEES Broncos 39, Patriots* 7 Wildcats* 19, Trojans 0 Dolphins* 21, Cowboys 6 MIDGETS Broncos 27, Patriots* 0 Trojans 18, Wildcats* 12 Dolphins* 25, Cowboys 0

The numbers of deceased players Corey Pine, Russell Kemp and Adam Riber will never be worn again.

JUNIOR VARSITY Broncos 38, Patriots* 0 Trojans 31, Wildcats* 19 Dolphins* 24, Cowboys 19 VARSITY Patriots* 36, Broncos 0 Wildcats* 40, Trojans 0 Dolphins* 1, Cowboys 0

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? JUSTIN KLINE

Ten seasons, five head coaches, three athletic directors and two principals ago, Plant City High School’s football program committed to change. Head coach Jason Strunk wanted to give the school’s football facilities major updates, from new turf on the field and a Lakeland High School-esque scoreboard, to a field house overhaul with a new equipment room and weight room.

Though some changes were made, other projects thought of back then are still in limbo. The funding to help Plant City’s facilities compete with the best in Hillsborough County is not there, but there is hope within the football program for that to change in due time.

Equipment manager Roy Schmidberger, now in his 10th season with the team, stays busy taking care of the team’s needs already. He keeps the fields in good shape, procures, cleans and repairs gear, maintains the facilities and handles any other projects he’s asked to work on. Known as “Coach Schmiddy” by virtually everyone involved with the football program, he has had as much a hand as anybody in bringing the Raiders’ facilities to where they are now and he doesn’t expect to stop working toward Strunk’s visions anytime soon.

“I think once we get there,” Schmidberger said, “this place could be a powerhouse.”

The Raiders’ facilities have come a long way in Schmidberger’s time with the team, though. It began with Strunk’s request to furnish the coaches’ areas with cabinets and other furniture it didn’t already have, painted floors and other overhaul in the locker areas. The team’s uniform inventory system was redone to salvage gear for the future, as Schmidberger said there was initially a problem with players taking their team-issued helmets and gear home at the end of the season. He also did the team’s laundry at the drycleaning business he owned until the school installed a washer and dryer.

“It started to come together then,” he said.

Subsequent coaches kept building on the plans after Strunk left for another coaching job. Schmidberger and Wayne Ward implemented things to help the team form a stronger identity within the field house. They painted a team logo in

Friday Night Notes

One of the touches Roy Schmidberger helped add to Plant City’s locker room is a floor logo which no one is allowed to step on, a common feature in professional sports locker rooms.

Justin Kline weighs in on the Sept. 22 Game of the Week and other area football action.

Durant, Crest back in action

D

urant sure didn’t look rusty on the football field Friday night, even after two Friday nights off.

The Cougars played about as well as anyone in the home stands could have hoped for last week, what with that 35-2 win over Strawberry Crest. Other than the safety, there really weren’t many miscues on their end.

Durant looked bigger, faster and stronger than Crest on the field, which isn’t surprising given how young the Chargers are. The Cougars forced mismatches all over the field and, mainly in the first half, had little trouble guiding the ball wherever the offense wanted it to go. Sure, they didn’t put up any points in the second half, but that’s not something Cougar fans should be concerned about.

SEE SCHMIDBERGER PAGE 22

The Cougars used a 35-point first half to beat the Chargers Sept. 22.

JUSTIN KLINE SPORTS/ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The two-week hurricane layoff didn’t look to affect Durant much at all on Sept. 22.

The Cougars hosted Strawberry Crest for their homecoming game and cruised to a 35-2 victory on the strength of an explosive first half.

Durant scored all 35 of its points in the half and would have held the Chargers scoreless if not for a safety with 2:34 left in the third quarter.

It was a particularly big night for running back Cameron Myers.

Justin Kline

SEE KLINE PAGE 22

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 22

Durant and Strawberry Crest played under a colorful night sky Sept. 22.

22

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

Old

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PlantCityObserver.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

- S c h o ol B ar b er S h o p

Se H ab Española l

Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM 2806 James L Redman Parkway The Village Suite 206, Plant City, FL 33566 (407) 616-0026

EdgeofRazorINC

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www.edgeoftherazor.com

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC AUCTION STORAGE SALE In accordance with the provisions of the Florida Self Storage Act (sections 83.801 - 83.809), there being due and unpaid charges for which the undersigned is entitled to satisfy an owner and/or manager’s lien of the goods hereinafter described and stored at the Life Storage location listed below.

And, due notice having been given, to the owner of said property and all parties known to claim an interest therein, and the time specified in

Photos by Justin Kline

Roy Schmidberger is responsible for acquiring, repairing, organizing and maintaining all of the Raiders’ equipment.

Schmidberger

such notice for payment of such having expired, the goods will be sold

FROM PAGE 21

at public auction at the below stated location(s) to the highest bidder

the center of the varsity locker room, which no one is allowed to step on, in 2012. They added a “Wall of Fame” just inside the varsity locker room’s doorway, highlighting Raiders who have gone on to play college ball and, in Markese Hargrove’s case, won the coveted Guy Toph Award. They added a wall to honor players who died during or shortly after they played for the team, framing their jerseys in shadow boxes and destroying the other jerseys of those numbers before officially retiring them. In Greg Meyer’s year as head coach, Schmidberger was able to get enough volunteer help and funding to keep the Raiders’ flag logo painted on the field each week, a five-hour process that was completed every Thursday.

Since then, both volunteer numbers and program funds have dwindled. Schmidberger said he hopes to see both numbers increase in time but knows that that will probably only happen when boosters are sure they’ll have a coach in place for the long haul.

He believes James Booth could be that coach, and the two are already working on a secret project for the players that will likely be realized next year.

It may not be a new scoreboard, but

or otherwise disposed of on Wednesday, 9:00 am, October 11, at 1005 South Alexander Street, Plant City, FL 33563, 813-759-9526.

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “I like when things are hard; I’m very competitive. If something feels difficult or impossible, it interests me.”

– Jennifer Lawrence Puzzle Two Solution: “One of the things I want to do that’s outside the realm of acting ... is ending childhood hunger here in America.”

– Jeff Bridges

This week’s Sudoku answers

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Every varsity Raider’s locker features the team logo and message, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”

he expects everything from this point forward to be a step in the right direction.

“Hopefully, with (Booth) being here, we’ll be able to bring it to what Strunk visualized,” Schmidberger said.

Roy Schmidberger has worn many hats in his 10 seasons with the team.

He started in 2008 as the junior varsity offensive coordinator, later became JV head coach and moved up to varsity assistant wide receivers and special teams coach. While doing these duties, he also oversaw the equipment and fields.

Schmidberger has been as bad at retiring as Brett Favre. He said he “semiretired” in 2015, after Wayne Ward stepped down from the program, but came back at Greg Meyer’s request. He attempted to retire when Meyer stepped down, but came back at Robert Paxia’s request. He then attempted to retire when Paxia stepped down — he even wrote a manual for his replacement to consult from January through December — but came back this year at athletic director Tim Leeseberg’s request.

Schmidberger doesn’t know when he’ll actually retire but, as long as he’s able to work with the players, he’s happy to stick around.

“One day I’ll retire,” Schmidberger said. “I don’t know when, though. But I enjoy it because the kids are good, I like seeing them come up from when they’re little kids, JV, then they’re big kids and they become grown men.”

Football FROM PAGE 21

Durant’s lead back scored three touchdowns, starting with a quick run at the 7:38 mark of the first quarter and following up a minute and a half later with a smooth, 62-yard run to put the Cougars ahead, 14-0. Several minutes after Jory Cole hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass from Carlton Potter with 11:16 left in the second quarter, Myers scored on an 11-yard run to put Durant ahead, 28-0.

Potter and wideout Casey Flouro wrapped up Durant’s scoring effort with 2:17 left in the first half, giving the Cougars a second-half running clock by linking up for a 47-yard touchdown pass. Potter finished the game with two touchdown passes.

The Chargers’ offense had difficulty moving downfield all night, save for its final drive of the evening. Jarrett Rappe found Rio Oliver with a deep ball to put the Chargers in Durant’s red zone with about two minutes left in the game, but the Cougars’ defense held steady and forced a turnover on downs by stuffing Rappe on a keeper play just seconds before time ran out.

Justin Kline

David Tabakovic attempts to push through Strawberry Crest’s front line. ©2017 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

Kline FROM PAGE 21

2017

If you like football enough to go watch teams other than your own play, I recommend checking out a Durant game this season to watch Cameron Myers work out there. That guy’s getting a reputation for being one of the smoothest running backs in Hillsborough County and can pull off the big plays. I’d say Myers is the most fun Plant City-area football player to watch since Markese Hargrove was tearing it up for the Plant City Raiders a couple of years ago.

I don’t want to come down hard on Crest here because this was always going to be a tough matchup for the Chargers. No team in this stage of a rebuild could handle a group as good

JUSTIN KLINE

as Durant’s, at least not without an astounding amount of luck, so I’d say this was a good learning tool for the younger guys to see where they went wrong and how to improve in the long run. I know for a fact that one of the long-term goals out in Dover is to achieve program stability and onfield consistency at a level around where Durant is and has been.

You know who else had a good Sept.

22 game? The Plant City Raiders, who picked up their first win of the 2017 regular season over East Bay, 27-7, at home. Those guys deserve some props.

Plant City’s defense shut down the Indians’ run game, its offensive strength, holding the team to 94 yards on 31 carries. Plant City’s offense was sparked by the passing game, specifically quarterback Braxton Plunk’s three-touchdown, 182-yard perfor-

mance. That’s the kind of play James Booth has been looking for from his signal-callers, as well as a perfectlytimed confidence booster.

With games against Strawberry Crest and Lennard following the East Bay win, the Raiders have had and will have plenty of time to help the offense develop a steady rhythm before an Oct. 6 showdown with Armwood that will put Plant City’s skills to the test and an Oct. 13 game with Durant for the Redman Cup, which I know the Raiders want to win back.

Justin Kline is the Sports Editor at the Plant City Times & Observer.

Email: jkline@plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY TIMES & OBSERVER

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Do you have a photo that speaks to the heart of Plant City? Send it to Associate Editor Justin Kline at jkline@PlantCityObserver.com

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SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

High: 90 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 20%

Friday, Sept. 29

7:20a

7:16p

Saturday, Sept. 30

7:21a

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Sunday, Oct. 1

7:21a

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Monday, Oct. 2

7:22a

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Tuesday, Oct. 3

7:22a

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Wednesday, Oct. 4

7:23a

7:10p

Thursday, Oct. 5

7:23a

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SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 High: 88 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 40%

SUNDAY, OCT. 1

23

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Sunrise Sunset

MOON PHASES

High: 84 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 60%

Oct. 20 New

Oct. 15 Last

Oct. 24 First

Oct. 5 Full

MONDAY, OCT. 2 High: 85 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 60%

RAINFALL

OKRA Shipping point: Orlando $10.35 to $10.95 Blake Bennett was so impressed with an August sunset over Knights Griffin Road, he had to snap a photo. Bennett wins this week’s I Love Plant City photo contest.

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