In two decades on the Plant City Commission and as former and current mayor, Mike Sparkman has met plenty of outstanding people throughout his career in public service.
But none quite like Plant City Police Department officer and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tony Christy.
Christy was injured Dec. 2, 2012, while serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Taliban forces detonated a 400-pound vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which began a three-hour battle. During the attack, the Taliban detonated two more VBIEDs and utilized rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, mortars, rocket attacks and two fighters wearing suicide vests.
Christy was among 12 American service members injured during the attack.
Sparkman and the rest of the Plant City Commission honored Christy May 13, with a proclamation. Many of his fellow officers and friends attended the ceremony.
“I have never had the honor of recognizing someone of this stature,” Sparkman said. “We thank you for your service — not only to our country but also to our city.
“We are so proud to have this type of individual serving in our police department,” he said.
Christy thanked the commission for the recognition but asked that the community remember the heroes who died in combat.
“I am so fortunate to have my personal family, my police family and my military family,” he said. “Just keep in your prayers and thoughts those who were hurt much worse or who lost their lives out there.”
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobsever.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The Plant City commission approved a rezone request for the parcels at 209 and 303 S. Frontage Road from M-1 (Industrial) to C-1A (Neighborhood Business).
• City Manager Greg Horwedel reported the contractor for the Mendonsa Road reconstruction project has asked for another extension, because of weather delays. The new deadline is June 30, but Horwedel said he expected work to be completed by the end of May.
• Florida Home Partnership, the non-profit organization behind the Alexander Woods Townhomes development, received recognition at the 43rd annual Spring Parade of Homes. FHP’s Cypress model at the Plant City community received a Grand Award for homes priced under $150,000.
• City commissioners approved an agreement with the School Board of Hillsborough County to use the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center to host the district’s Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension program. The center has hosted the program since 2002.
• The annual State of the City address will be at noon June 10, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.