DID YOU KNOW
PAUL SIDNEY BUCHMAN PLANT CITY’S LONG-TIME CITY ATTORNEY AND
DEVOTED FAMILY MAN (1923 – 1991) - PART 2 OF 2 Article by Plant City Photo Archives & History Center
Buchman acquired many accolades during his illustrious career. To name a few, in 1961 he received the Distinguished Service Award of the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his public service. In 1977, he was awarded the Ralph A. Marsicano Award by the City, County, and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar. This was given to an individual who over a period of time had made “significant and outstanding contributions” to the development of Local Government in Florida. He was the second recipient of this award, following Ralph A. Marsicano himself. Also in 1977, Governor Rubin Askew appointed Buchman to the Florida Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations. In 1980 and 1984, Governor Bob Graham reappointed Buchman to this position for two additional consecutive four-year terms.
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n Part 1 of the story of Paul Sidney Buchman, we covered the timeline of his early years. This included his graduation from Plant City High School in 1941; his service with the U.S. Army Infantry from 1943-1945 and his accompanying Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Purple Heart Medal; his graduation from the University of Florida in 1948, his private law practice in Plant City later in 1948; his appointment as City Attorney in 1949; and his tireless work with various Bar committees. Part II of the story picks up where we left off...
community and families with as many as 12 people were living in units barely adequate for four.
In 1957, ground was broken for the construction of 200 public housing units at a cost of $1,679,000, the single largest building project in Plant City up to that time. By November 1958, more than 30 acres were acquired as public housing sites, 20 acres were cleared of slums, and 105 substandard dwelling units were demolished. The 200 new units were built as follows: 60 units in Larrick Court on East Alsobrook Street, 78 in Maryland Buchman not only contributed greatly to Heights in the Lincoln Park area, and 62 in the area of municipal law, but also made Madison Park. time to serve his community. A great part of his legacy is his instrumental work Buchman’s connection with the Housing in establishing the Plant City Housing Authority brought him additional Authority in 1956, for which he served as opportunities to serve. He was president attorney and executive director from 1956- of the Florida Association of Housing and 1984. The goal of the Housing Authority Redevelopment Officials from 1967-1968 was to assist the City in replacing unsightly and a member of the executive council of slums with safe and sanitary housing for the Southeastern Regional Conference of low-income families. The majority of these the National Association of Housing and families were in the African-American Redevelopment Officials from 1968-1970.
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Buchman was a life member of Rodeph Sholom of Tampa’s congregation and served on its board of directors since 1952. He was elected its president in 1972 and served as chairman of its board of directions from 1974-1975. Finally, he was an active member of B’nai B’rith. Buchman died on October 9, 1991, three days after suffering a stroke at the age of 68. He was buried at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park (also known as Myrtle Hill Cemetery) in Tampa, Florida. He was survived by his wife Beryle, sons Miles and Kenneth, brother Manuel, sister Pearl, and grandchildren Katherine Elizabeth and Stephanie Leigh. Grandson Paul would arrive after Buchman’s death.
Posthumous recognition certainly would be a given. The Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar named its Legal Public Service Award the “Paul S. Buchman Public Service Award” in March 1992. (This entity is now known as the City, County, and Local Government Law Section). Also in 1992, the Florida Municipal Attorney’s Association named the Municipal Attorney of the Year Award (its highest honor) the In addition to his professional activities, “Paul S. Buchman Award.” Buchman was active in the Masonic order since 1945 and served as worshipful master The Florida Legislature paid further tribute of the Olin S. Wright Lodge No. 79, Free to Buchman in 1994 when it designated and Accepted Masons, in 1966. He also a portion of State Road 39 the “Paul was a member of the Tampa Consistory of S. Buchman Highway.” This section of Scottish Rite Masons, Plant City Chapter highway runs from I-4 in Plant City to No. 16 of Royal Arch Masons, Tyler Council Highway 301 in Zephyrhills. No. 4 of Royal & Select Masters, and Egypt Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of In 1991, Buchman’s son Kenneth would Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In 1962, he follow in his footsteps and take over the was a worthy patron of Plant City Chapter helm as Plant City’s city attorney, a position No. 81 of the Order of Eastern Star. He he holds to this day. Buchman’s mother was also a member of Lions International Lillian, a widow for nearly 46 years and and the Benevolent and Protective Order residing all the while at 805A West Baker of Elks. Street, died on March 13, 1993, at the age of 96. She joined her husband at Rodeph Being a World War II veteran, Buchman Sholom Cemetery in Tampa, Florida. was active in several veterans’ organizations. He served in various offices of the American We are grateful to Paul Sidney Buchman for Legion Norman McLeod Post No. 26. his tireless work in the area of municipal law He also was a member of the Disabled and in serving his community. The “badge” American Veterans and the Veterans of he wore is remembered, appreciated, and Foreign Wars. From 1956-1957, he served honored. As to the love of his family, it is as Chef de Gare of Voiture Locale No. 199 certainly an enduring legacy. Kenneth said of the Forty and Eight. The Forty and Eight of Buchman’s grandchildren in particular, is an organization of veterans of the United “I know he would be proud of them today.” States armed forces. Its official name is “La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit In 1982, he was the Plant City Citizen of the Year. He also was recognized for Outstanding Leadership in Municipal Law by the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, of which he was a charter member. In 1989, Buchman received the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers’ Award for Outstanding National Public Service by a Municipal Attorney.
Paul Sidney Buchman, Plant City’s long-time city attorney (1923-1991). Photo courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
Chevaux,” which is French, and translates as “The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses.” The Forty and Eight was founded by veterans of World War I.