Plant City Observer
y Observer
YO UR HOMETOW N. YO UR NEWSPAP ER .
YOUR HOMETOWN. YOUR NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 6, NO. 137
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FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021
TWO PROJECTS SET TO IMPACT THE CITY BREANNE WILLIAMS
Commissioners moved ahead to phase two of the Emergency Vehicle Traffic Preemption System in town and also approved a contract to have a new facility designed for Utilities Maintenance and Solid Waste.
STAFF WRITER
Commissioners approved two projects last week that are sure to have a large impact on residents. The first phase of a two-year plan to install a secure GPS, radio-enabled Emergency Vehicle Traffic Preemption System at key I-4 intersections was completed in September and the results of the impact of the system have encouraged commissioners
to purchase the second and final phase of equipment. Essentially the Glance Preemption System lets first responders safely cruise through intersections by altering the operation of the traffic lights when they are responding to emergency calls. The cameras that were installed in September have “reduced response times by two minutes, 90 percent of the time,” according to the city report.
“Every minute we trim off the response goes a long way toward saving lives,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “I think the data that we already have coming in from this first phase proves that this is a successful program.”
FESTIVAL 2021:
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UNTIL NEXT YEAR Juan Alvarez
The annual Florida Strawberry Festival came to a close Sunday. While much had changed, in many ways the year was still filled with longstanding traditions.
Signs encouraging attendees to don their masks, hand sanitizing stations, socially distanced seating and many other alterations made this year’s Florida Strawberry Festival unlike any other. People had the chance to walk through a sanitizing tunnel, hand-washing stations saw frequent use and the grandstands housed at a much smaller crowd. The lack of headline concerts opened the door for many local bands to have their time in the spotlight. New vendors popped up to show off their homemade items while some old favorites decided to sit this year out. Yet through it all, the character of the Florida Strawberry Festival remained.
Locals in their bright red vests and face masks helped attendees find their next favorite snack or gave them directions to an upcoming show. Mr. and Miss Berry posed for photo ops near the gazebo. An abundance of strawberry shortcake was eaten and on Sunday evening one lucky winner got the news that their ticket had been drawn for a 2021 Chevrolet C8 Corvette 1LT. Kids still screamed on neon rides and adults still treated themself to corn dogs and chocolate-covered bacon. For many reasons, 2021’s festival will be one to remember. Here’s to 2022.
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