Plant City Times &
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
A PARTNERSHIP WITH
INSIDE IN THIS ISSUE
SPORTS
Otis M. Andrews hosts 2013 UYFL Championships.
Hundreds clash Hospital foundation with Mud Titan celebrates annual in Plant City. Lights of Love.
PAGE 11
OUR TOWN
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just say no by Michael Eng | Editor
Downtown parks to remain dry Plant City commissioners took no action regarding a change to the city’s alcohol policy, effectively killing the proposal.
+ Observer names contest winner We received dozens of amazing entries for our “Win Two Tickets to Christmas Town” contest, but James A. Beier’s entry stood out from the others. “My favorite Christmas carol is ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town,’” he wrote. “My reason is I recently had an encounter with a little girl named, Brooklynn Santos, who was featured in a frontpage article in the Plant City Times & Observer. “She is 5 years old and suffers from a rare medical condition that has rendered her unable to walk,” Beier said. “The article mentioned that a fundraiser was scheduled to help the family meet expenses regarding her care. This included modifying the inside of their house, so Brooklynn can navigate her wheelchair through doorways and down halls. “I was unavailable to attend the fundraiser, because of travel, so I made a donation directly to the family,” he said. “When I returned from my travel, there was a postcard from Brooklynn and her family thanking me for my support. “I served in the U.S. Marines many years ago and have regularly supported (its) long-established Toys for Tots program,” Beier said. “I decided I should purchase Brooklynn a Toys for Tots present and deliver it to her, personally. I bought a large teddy bear and wrapped it in Christmas paper with images of Santa Claus all over the paper. Last week, I was invited to her home by her mother to deliver the present to Brooklynn. When she unwrapped the present, she hugged the bear around the neck, her voice was filled with joy, her eyes lit up, and the smile on her face melted my heart away and nearly brought me to tears. And, I’m supposed to be a tough Marine.
Opponents of a proposed change in Plant City’s alcohol policy say city commissioners saved the very heart of the community when they opted not to allow beer and wine to be sold at events held at McCall Park and the newly named Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum. Twenty residents, business
This week’s winner is
Chris Luke
See the photo on PAGE 14.
owners and church leaders spoke during the commission’s Dec. 9 meeting against the ordinance change, which would have given non-profits and charitable organizations an option to sell beer and wine at their fundraisers. Before a standing-roomonly crowd that spilled out into the hallway of the Nettie
Berry Draughon Municipal Building, they begged commissioners to see the proposal not as a simple change in city statutes but rather as a strike against what makes the community great in the first place. Chaplain Ret. Maj. Daniel Middlebrooks, who returned home to Plant City a year ago
following 25 years serving in the military, said the proposal was a threat to what makes Plant City so special. “The heart of Plant City is up for bid tonight,” Middlebrooks told the commission. “I ask for you to consider, that in the midst of many voices that you hear tonight ... that you would hear, simply, one voice, and that is the voice of history. “Not just of past history but of future history,” he said.
“In five years, will that voice speak kindly of you tonight? Will it say that you stood and defended the heart of Plant City by saying the hard, ‘No,” rather than the easy, ‘Yes?’” Dub McGinnes said the idea of adding alcohol to Plant City events is one he has considered as a member of the board of directors of both the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation and the Florida
SEE ALCOHOL / PAGE 4
EDUCATION
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS by Michael Eng | Editor
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Robinson teacher wins two awards Kelli Rowland is Teacher of the Year for Robinson and Reading Teacher of the Year for all of Hillsborough County.
Of course, Santa Claus concluded the parade. Left; The Plant City Police Department kicked off this year’s parade.
The Plant City Dolphins showed plenty of energy during this year’s Christmas Parade.
PRAISE ON PARADE Plant City celebrated the beginning of the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade Dec. 6, throughout downtown. The
parade featured more than 100 participants, including floats, local businesses, churches, high school bands and much more.
Parade-goers were eager to cheer on the performers and call out for candy, beads and other giveaways.
It’s been a good year for Kelli Rowland. Some may venture to say she’s earned an A+. The Robinson Elementary teacher won two awards, Teacher of the Year for her school and Reading Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County. So, it’s not hard to see the passion she has for her students. “I want to make a difference in the lives of children,” Rowland said. That goal has been one she’s held onto since she was a student at Robinson herself. Up into last year, she even worked alongside her former kindergarten teacher. “It’s a real close, family-oriented school,” Rowland said. “It’s a great place to work.” Her family of fellow teachers nominated her for the school award. As a selfcontained teacher, Rowland teaches all subjects to her third-grade students. But, it’s reading that stands out as her favorite. “I just have a passion for reading,” Rowland said. “Reading is the heart of all subjects. If you can’t read you won’t be successful in math or science or other subjects.” With a genuine interest in her students’ abilities, Rowland has made reading fun. Her trick: Find articles and books that actually interest her students. She calls it her “hook.” From movies to sports, Rowland can reach any student. She specifically remembers one student who loved baseball — but not read-
SEE TEACHER / PAGE 4
FOR MORE PHOTOS, SEE PAGE 8 AND VISIT PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM.
OUR TOWN / PAGE 4
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Plant City Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis loved waving to residents at this year’s parade.
Ooh La La Hair Studio paraded in pink.
Members of Durant High School’s marching band donned Santa hats.
INDEX Calendar.......................2
Courtesy photo
Of course, Kelli Rowland also loves having fun with her students.
Vol. 1, No. 20 | One section Cops .............................5
Obituaries...................10
Sports.........................11
Weather ......................14
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