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Fire truck visit Plant City High star heats up fun at T.J. Chase transfers learning center. to IMG Academy.
Plant City churches serve up summer fun at faith-filled VBSes.
OUR TOWN
+ Meet our new staff writer The Plant City Times & Observer has added a new writer to its staff. This week, we welcome Catherine Sinclair to our team. Catherine graduated cum laude in May 2014 from the University of Richmond (Virginia) with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and music, and a minor in biology. Please welcome Catherine to Plant City if you see her out and about.
leadership by Michael Eng | Editor
City Commission narrows search for new city manager
Plant City commissioners will begin interviewing the candidates within the next few weeks. After initial candidate screenings for Plant City’s next leader were met with mixed reactions, city commissioners have honed in on their top seven prospects and should begin interviewing them within the next few weeks.
The candidates, in alphabetical order, are: James Drumm (former city manager, Zephyrhills); Robert Michael Herr (public works and utility services administrator, Tampa); Douglas Hewett (former assistant city manager, Winchester,
Va.); Wayne Saunders (finance director, Port Orange); John Schneiger (former city manager and community redevelopment director, New Port Richey); Gary Shimun (chief administrative officer, Plantation); and Isaac Turner (former
, 3&
This week’s winner is
Mimi Nguyen
See her photo on PAGE 15.
pulled from the group’s initial pool of 76 candidates. All currently reside in Florida. “I’m very encouraged,” Mayor Rick Lott said. “Once you go through all the résumés we
SEE MANAGER / PAGE 5
by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
P.C. organizations spearhead school supply drives There are many different ways to donate supplies to children in need.
Representatives from several Plant City businesses will test their mental mettle at the Plant City Kiwanis Club’s Second Annual Business Spelling Bee at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Building, 605 N. Collins St. Americare Ambulance will defend its title against spellers representing South Florida Baptist Hospital, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, Family Care Pharmacy, Haught Funeral Home, Hopewell Funeral Homes and more. Editor Michael Eng will represent the Plant City Times & Observer. Tickets are $10; donations of school supplies also will be accepted. All proceeds support the Stuff the Bus and Read Around The World programs. For more, contact David Wolf, (813) 717-9300.
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city manager, Venice, Fla.). Of those, three — Drumm, Saunders and Shimun — are from the list of nine finalists Mercer Group Senior Vice President W.D. Higginbotham Jr. presented to city commissioners July 14. The others were
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It’s that time of year again, when school supply lists from every grade in every county in every state are neatly organized in pop-up cardboard carousels at every major retailer. The result is a frenzy of excited mothers — and less excited kids — trekking the aisles for that perfect “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” folder or the bubble-gum-pink ruler. But, not all families can afford to check every item off the list. That’s why several organizations in Plant City have launched school supplies drives to help local students transition from the pool float to the desk chair.
HOPE NOW THE HAY EXCHANGE 4950 U.S. 92 (813) 754-5405 Donations will be collected through Aug. 13.
Justin Kline
Taylor Goethals, right, held signs with friends Callie Hevall and Bre Huffman to greet passing motorists during a benefit car wash fundraiser July 27, at Walden Lake Car Wash. The fundraiser, organized by car wash owner Frank Cummings, the Plant City Lions Club and several local businesses, raised $6,500 to help pay for Taylor’s cancer treatments. See more photos at PlantCityObserver.com
killing the competition by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Couple enters Project Greenlight
For several years, The Hay Exchange has held schoolsupply drives, in addition to its holiday food drives. This year, however, the store has teamed up with Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit that serves poor and homeless families. Called “Hope Now,” locals can bring in school supplies to The Hay Exchange, 4950 U.S. 92.
SEE SUPPLIES / PAGE 4
Matthew and Nikki Glover are submitting their short film to the competition, which produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Matthew and Nikki Glover might be the only people in Plant City to have gallows in their backyard. Yes, gallows. Complete with a swinging rope noose. It’s not illegal for the couple to have the gallows. They made sure to check before they started construction on the haunting device they are
using as a movie set — and not actual executions. The aspiring filmmakers are entering Project Greenlight, a contest produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to find the next great filmmaker. The winners will receive a shot to create their own feature film with the help of industry veterans.
The Glovers’ three-minute short film, “Under The Gallows,” revolves around their home-built set. “We want to be different,” Matthew said. “Most people try to do drama to tug at heartstrings, or comedy to make people laugh. … We are
From spirited cheers to full-on mascot mayhem, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s New Teacher Coffee is always a show. The decades-old event welcomes new teachers at Plant City area schools by having them put on skits after a breakfast meet-up. “It’s our way of making these new teachers feel comfortable and part of the community,” chamber President Marion Smith said. “Some have never been to Plant City.” The New Teacher Coffee will take place at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Florida Strawberry Festival Expo Hall, 2301 W. Oak Ave., Plant City. The coffee takes place less than a week before school starts Aug. 19. Last year, about 200 teachers attended. Superintendent MaryEllen Elia spoke before roll call. Because of its popularity, other areas of the county have created their own coffee. In addition to the skits, the festivities continue with door prizes, gift certificates and goodie bags. The chamber always needs help with donations to make the new teachers feel at home. Donations can be anything from spa packages to restaurant deals. Cash donations also will be accepted. To donate, drop off items at the chamber, 106 N. Evers St., or call (813) 754-3707. — Amber Jurgensen
SEE FILM / PAGE 4
INDEX Calendar.......................2
CHAMBER NEEDS DONATIONS FOR NEW TEACHER COFFEE
Vol. 2, No. 1 | One section Crossword...................15
Obituaries...................10
Sports.........................11
Weather ......................15
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