Police Officers
Story & Photo by Ken Lawrence There are not many of us who have not muttered something profane under our breaths when a policeman issues us a traffic citation. Yes, that 100 bucks, or whatever, can be annoying, but were it not for police, our society would be facing anarchy, as is evident throughout much of the so-called Third World today. Here in Plant City, the police force is highly respected because the man at the top, Bill McDaniel, has long ago removed the one time stigma of the local police force being a typical small-town operation.
Lieutenant Gerry Stwan preparing to head out to meet his day-shift patrol.
Technicians
The quality of the men and women in black is equal to any force and a good example of that type of person is Lieutenant Gerry Stwan, a Brandon native who has been on the Plant City Police Force since 1991. Gerry Stwan says he echoes Police Chief McDaniel’s view that “everyone, no matter the circumstances, must be treated with respect and dignity.”
Story & Photo by Sophia Dedon
When the average American’s car breaks down, they simply think they need to take it to the mechanic and get a tune-up. In today’s world, with the effects of the computer age, cars are not as simple to work on as they once were. Because auto repairmen have to frequently attend classes to stay up-to-date on the changes in the industry, the title “mechanic” does not suffice, hence they are called technicians. Having opened his own repair shop 35 years ago, Frank Powell, owner of American Auto Service, has witnessed a dramatic change in the car industry. “Every car that comes in is so different,” said Powell. “We have to hook the cars up to diagnostic equipment, which is a computer that tells us how the car is operating.” Therefore, it’s nearly impossible for the average person to fix their own car, which makes us thankful we can trust our vehicles in the hands of qualified technicians.
Sanitation Workers
Frank Powell has seen the automobile repair industry change dramatically with the arrival of the computer age.
Story & Photo by Ken Lawrence There is a saying that a person can be judged by the type and amount of garbage they leave by the curbside. If that’s the case, then Everett Hackney must have the “scoop” on many residents in Plant City. Everett is a sanitation worker for the city, and five days a week he picks up trash throughout the city. “I like my job,” says the six-year veteran of the Sanitation Department, whose only complaint is the heat, especially at this time of the year. Everett says he and his colleagues go through gallons of Gatorade and water every day, but there are times, especially at high noon, when the heat can be almost unbearable. He tells Focus that in spite of the heat the job is good, especially because of the people he works with.
Everett Hackney (left) collecting trash in Walden Lake.
Public Works
Story & Photo by Ken Lawrence
There are so many interesting stories about folks who have either lived in the Plant City area all of their lives, or moved here at an early age. Such is the case of Jon Stroud, employed by the city of Plant City in the Waste Water Collections Department, the operation that handles the millions of gallons of sewage each and every day. Jon and his twin sister were born and raised in the Austin, Texas area. They later moved to Plant City where he began as a Maintenance Assistant in the Public Works Department and within a short time, two years to be exact, was promoted to Waste Water Collections Foreman. He now holds the responsibility for eight fulltime people. “It’s the best job I’ve ever had in 25 years of working in various types of construction”, says Stroud. “I never had a paid holiday until I became a city employee, and the job has given me long term stability”.
Jon Stroud with one of the many tools to keep the sewers moving.
FOCUS PLANT CITY EDITION • August 15 • 2006 - September 15 • 2006 PG 43