HOSPITAL UPDATE
“The demolition of the legacy hospital is ongoing and expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year, after which the property will be sold,” Karen Kerr, President of South Florida Baptist Hospital said. “BayCare is currently in negotiation with a prospective buyer and can share more after agreements are reached.”
Scholarships FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
The Plant City Garden Club will award two $1,000 scholarships in May. To be eligible for consideration, students must be a local high school senior enrolling in college to pursue one of the following six fields of study: Biology, Botany, Conservation and/or Forestry, Environmental Studies, Horticulture, or Landscape Design. Scholarship application forms are available online at plantcitygardenclub.com. The deadline to apply is May 1. Applicants are required to submit a personal letter describing their background, goals, commitment to their chosen career, and how their goals support the Plant City Garden Club’s mission statement. Two letters of recommendation from instructors at a student’s school or college are required. A list of honors, extracurricular activities, military service, work experience, as well as a copy of transcripts from the school or college are also required.
ELECTION ATTACKS
The City of Plant City municipal elections are slated for April 8, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Early voting is open on April 4 and 5, 9:00 a.m. t0 5:00 p.m.. Camryn Henry and Jason Jones are running for the Group 1 seat. An outside Political Action Committee based in Tampa has inserted itself in the non-partisan contest. Floridians for Senior Care, which has connections to Strategic Image Management—an influential political consulting company, has targeted Henry with inflammatory attack text messages and mailers. Floridians for Senior Care pursued a similar strategy before the Lake Wales mayoral election. “The claims being made are false, misleading, and politically motivated,” Henry commented. “I’ve never made the statements they’re pushing, and they have no relevance to the role of City Commissioner. I won’t be bullied or distracted by dishonest tactics. My focus remains on serving this community with integrity.”
Plant Citians have been asking questions about who is behind these attack ads. “….I want to be clear,” Jones commented. “I am not aware of this organization, nor who is behind it. Furthermore, I have had absolutely no connection to their material, and reject any attempt to be associated. My campaign has always been about honesty, respect, and focusing on the issues that matter most to us.”
DIAPER DRIVE
The Children’s Board Family Resource Center Plant City is holding a diaper drive until April 14. Those who want to donate can drop off diapers, wipes, and baby essentials to support local families in need. The address is 301 N. Palmer St. For more information, call (813) 752-8700. Center hours are:
Mondays and Saturdays – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PLANTS, PLANTS, PLANTS
Metals & Nature will hold its Sip & Sprout Plant Festival on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vendors will bring in unique and rare plants and seeds. Keel Farms products, food trucks, and Island Drip Coffee & Tea will be on hand. There will be animal petting, and garden rock painting for the kids. The address is 1501 W. State Road 60 in Plant City.
