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INSIDE
EXCLUSIVE
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City dedicates Dr. Hal & Lynn Brewer Park.
OUR TOWN
Meet the 2014 Blueberry Pageant contestants.
Attorney General Pam Bondi receives warm welcome in Plant City.
back in the saddle by Michael Eng and Amber Jurgensen
Sollenberger reprises role David Sollenberger again will assume Plant City’s top post following City Manager Greg Horwedel’s resignation.
+ Garren wins in ‘other’ P.C.
Plant City’s own Victoria Garren earned another pageant crown — this time in Florida’s “other” P.C. Garren was crowned Miss Palm Coast March 22, at the 2014 Miss Palm Coast, St. Augustine and Flagler County Pageant.
FREE • THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014
It seems David Sollenberger may be experiencing a little déjà vu these days. Twelve years ago, Sollenberger came out of retirement to serve as Plant City’s city manager to replace the outgoing Phil Waldron. What was supposed to be an in-
terim position lasting only a few months turned into eight years of service, until Sollenberger re-retired in 2010, handing the reins to his protégé, Greg Horwedel. Now, just one week after Hillsborough County poached Horwedel to be-
come its new deputy county administrator, Sollenberger finds himself back at the city’s top post. Plant City commissioners approved March 24 to hire Sollenberger as their interim city manager. Under the terms of the agreement, Sol-
RELAY FOR LIFE by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
lenberger will hold the post until a permanent replacement is appointed — but for no longer than six months. Sollenberger took the position March 26, at Horwedel’s current annual salary, $130,000. The commission also released Horwedel from his contract and waived its 90-day-notice clause. His last day will be March 28. In
his final days, Horwedel will help Sollenberger transition back into the role. “He knows a lot about the city but not a lot about the projects that are ongoing,” Horwedel said. One of Sollenberger’s primary duties will be to find candidates and consulting firms to seek a permanent
SEE SOLLENBERGER / PAGE 7
NEW LOOK by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Sweetbay to convert to Winn-Dixie store New owners Bi-Lo Holdings will need just six days to convert the Plant City store to the new Winn-Dixie brand. Sweetbay’s lone location in Plant City will close its doors for the final time this weekend. When they reopen six days later, they will reveal Plant City’s first Winn-Dixie. Starting March 29, members from Winn-Dixie’s marketing, operations and other departments will descend on the location to complete the conversion, which will be complete April 4. “You’re talking about coming in on Saturday and then opening back up on a Friday,”
Photo by Dr. Dan Middlebrooks
+ Truck raffle benefits city
Ocala resident Maria Humbarger, the winner of Stingray Chevrolet’s annual Florida Strawberry Festival drawing, received her 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD LT Crew Cab truck during a ceremony March 25, at Stingray Chevrolet. “We look forward to this opportunity every year because it’s a win for everyone,” says Florida Strawberry Festival Assistant Manager Lee Bakst. For the past five years, Stingray Chevrolet has donated a new vehicle to be raffled off on the festival grounds to benefit Unity in the Community, which contributes to local youth organizations and other groups.
+ I-4 Power thanks customers
I-4 Power Equipment customers enjoyed a feast fit for a king March 21, during the company’s customer appreciation event. The event featured a barbecue lunch prepared by Robert and Diana Cooper, along with giveaways, raffle prizes and special promotions.
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Ashley Chrisman See her photo on PAGE 15.
said Winn-Dixie spokeswoman Mayra Hernandez. “So, there will be large groups of people coming in and making stuff happen.” To change the store over, there will be reshelving and restocking with Winn-Dixie brand products. And although some of the aisles may feature different products, most of the services will be located in the same areas — including the bakery, liquor store next door and cus-
SEE WINN-DIXIE / PAGE 7
voices carry by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
MESSAGE
OF HOPE
Amber Jurgensen
Joshua Fishbein hopes his story inspires and strengthens others battling cancer.
Joshua Fishbein was diagnosed with cancer when he was just 17 years old. Today, he is an art teacher at both Burney Elementary and Simmons Career Center. His mother pleaded with him. Just go to the other hospital. But, 17-year-old Joshua Fishbein wouldn’t budge. He already had been delivered a death sentence once. At least that’s how everyone— his family, his friends, the nurses and doctors — were treating it. What was the point?
“I didn’t want to go to another doctor to hear someone else say I was going to die,” Fishbein remembers. Fishebein lay in a New York hospital. He thought back over the past several months. The memories — sore throats, fatigue, inquisitive medics — all streamed through his consciousness.
SEE FISHBEIN / PAGE 4
Durant choir hits high notes in Washington
Choir teacher Susan Durham took 39 students to perform in Washington, D.C.
It was 34 degrees outside, but the Durant High School choir put on the layers and warmed up their vocal cords March 7 to sing at the World War II Memorial, in Washington, D.C. While other high school students were enjoying their spring break at the sunny beach, the 39 choral students from Durant were performing and sightseeing in the nation’s capital. The group was part of a special choir organized by choir teacher Susan Durham.
SEE CHOIR / PAGE 7
ABOUT THIS STORY
In the weeks leading up to Plant City’s Relay for Life, the Plant City Times & Observer will spotlight different organizations and residents who make the local Relay one of the largest in the state.
Courtesy photo
The Durant High School choir members toured many of the historical monuments in Washington, D.C.
INDEX Calendar.......................2
When she taught at other schools, Durham had taken students on trips to Europe. But, this was the first time she took Durant students out of state. “It was a lot of fun,” Durham said. “Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.” In addition to the World War II Memorial, the students also performed at the amphitheater at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Two se-
Vol.1,No.35 | Onesection Crossword...................15
Obituaries...................10
Sports.........................11
Weather......................15
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