By Michael Eng | Managing Editor
Plant City voters made international news this week after a broadcast crew from the Al Jazeera network featured the community as part of its coverage of the presidential election.
Andy Gallacher, a correspondent for the English version of the Arabic-language news network, along with a crew of four set up shop Nov. 5, outside of Parkesdale Farm Market, as part of the network’s package spotlighting the Interstate 4 corridor. The eight-week assignment began in Daytona Beach, and the crew also made stops in Pine Hills and Kissimmee before reaching Plant City.
The crew then completed its assignment on Election Day in Tampa.
“We wanted to focus on the diversity of the I-4 corridor — it’s the battleground within the battleground,” Gallacher said. “In Daytona, we were there for Biketoberfest, so we interviewed some folks in full leathers.
“We’ve definitely met some real characters along the way,” he said.
The crew also matched each location with a different demographic. In Daytona, Gallacher focused on seniors, in Pine Hills, African-American voters, and in Kissimmee, Puerto Rican voters. For Plant City, the crew searched for those who still were undecided the day before the election.
“At first, the I-4 corridor doesn’t look like much, but beneath the surface, you begin to see all the little nuances,” Gallacher said. “Here, we’ve been just pulling people off the street, and everybody has been passionate and well-informed, and I think that’s a reflection of just how polarizing both of these candidates are.”
Gallacher said Parkesdale’s history as a must-stop location for candidates made Plant City a natural stop. The market has a rich tradition of attracting attention, including former President George H. W. Bush, 2008 Republican nominee John McCain and former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. President Barack Obama also made a surprise visit to Parkesdale during his 2008 campaign.
Before taking his position with Al Jazeera’s Miami-based bureau, Gallacher worked for more than 15 years as a correspondent for the BBC. He covered the 9/11 attacks from New York City.
During their stay in Plant City, Gallacher and the crew had an opportunity to sample the local fare, including lunches at Buddy Freddy’s and the corner store, and, of course, Parkesdale’s famous strawberry milkshakes.
“It’s by far the best milkshake I’ve ever had,” Gallacher said. “I’ve never tasted anything quite like it.”
The crew also enjoyed Plant City’s signature hospitality. While they were there stationed at Parkesdale, Public Relations Manager Xiomara Meeks made sure to keep them fed with the market’s strawberry cookies and bread.
“Everyone has been so friendly,” Gallacher said.
Al Jazeera reaches an estimated 250 million households.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.