Plant City Manager Greg Horwedel honored 11 fire rescue team members during the City Commission meeting, July 8, at City Hall. Each first-responder received a letter of recognition of outstanding service for their actions on the scene of a May car crash accident.
“They did perform very well as a team,” Horwedel said. “They worked hard to protect our citizens.”
The two-car crash occurred May 19, at the intersection of Trapnell Road and James L. Redman Parkway. All 11 victims required rapid treatment. Two victims had to be extricated from their vehicles.
An 11-month-old baby had to be transported, via helicopter, to Tampa General Hospital. Without the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the first-responders, the baby might not have survived, Horwedel said.
Assistant City Manager of Public Safety Bill McDaniel and Interim Fire Chief David Burnett gave remarks before the presentation of awards.
“This incident is a shining example of the outstanding abilities and dedication of the department,” McDaniel said. “It’s demonstrative of the teamwork they do every day. I’m extremely proud of these individuals and the department as a whole.”
The recipients include James Maxwell, William Saunders, Reggie Smith, William Wimberly, Vince Kiffner, Stacy Stearns, David Jackson, Jimmy Riley, Wilfred Hargrove, Jason Mesa and Jake Elliott.
“We truly, truly, truly appreciate what you do every day for our citizens,” Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• Mayor Mary Mathis has declared 2013 the Year of the Youth. In honor of the proclamation, Vice Mayor Rick Lott was asked to find a youth who demonstrates outstanding ability. He selected Omar Castro.
Castro, 17, has just been signed to a Division 1 European soccer team in Germany. He got his start on the Plant City Lancers recreation team at age 3. Technically, the talented tot wasn’t supposed to start until 4, but his talent blew the organization away.
Castro hasn’t had an easy road to success. He’s only one of two Americans this year to sign with Division 1 European teams. And he’s been legally adopted by the Lancer’s president, Stephen Rossiter.
From a humble background, Castro’s parents are migrant workers. When the family fell on hard times, his parents asked Rossiter for help. Rossiter assumed guardianship over the player when Castro was 11.
Castro contract includes a clause that for every 10 games he plays, his team will donate 25,000 euros to the Lancers program. Castro’s first game is Aug. 15. He plans to continue school through Florida Virtual School and graduate next year. He holds a 3.9 GPA.
• The commission voted to approve a public hearing scheduled for July 22, to consider a small-scale map amendment.
The amendment includes 12 parcels that have been developed with eight duplexes/triplexes and three single-family homes on 1.97 acres, located west of North Plant Avenue, north and south of West Charlotte Street and north of West House Street.