With the new train-viewing platform and updated exhibits to the train depot, the Robert W. Willaford Museum will be getting a new executive director, also.
Plant City Commissioner Mike Sparkman, who helped spearhead the platform project, urged the city and commissioners to allow Benny Lubrano to serve in the paid position.
Lubrano helped design the platform and has been volunteering his time for the past six months at the museum. Now, he will be reimbursed for it. Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners approved July 28 an amendment to the CRA budget to pay Lubrano $12,000 for this fiscal year. Another $25,000 will come out of next fiscal year’s budget.
“Benny’s been involved with it completely,” Sparkman said.
The CRA commission’s decision comes after Interim City Manager David Sollenberger eliminated the special events manager position to save the city some money. that manager, Deanna Hurley, who brought a popular Food Truck Rally to downtown among other events, made $45,000.
Sparkman believes the money will be put to better use at the train depot.
“It’s very important to have someone promote it, oversee fields trips,” Sparkman said. “Deanna, at one time, thought she would work out of the depot, but the (former) city manager moved her. Benny is just $25,000, so it’s much more economical.”
Lubrano is working at the museum four days a week and filling in for volunteers who can’t make it on the other two days. He also is overseeing the field trips, volunteers and general management of the museum.
When the city and the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce first started working towards building a new train platform, they had had plans to hire an executive director upon completion, Sparkman said.
When it came time to hire someone, the chamber couldn’t use its tourist development funds from Hillsborough County. They largely are used for the welcome center on Park Road.
“Those funds are so restricted,” chamber President Marion Smith said.
Instead, the money will come from the CRA, which was established in 1981 to remove conditions of slum and blight that existed within a large portion of the city’s core, including the downtown business district and surrounding neighborhoods. Other projects planned and funded by the CRA include Midtown, the new Dr. Hal and Lynn Brewer Park and the Wheeler Street realignment.
In the future, however, the position will be paid for by the Robert W. Willaford Museum Society Inc.
“Using the CRA funds is just to get off the ground,” Sparkman said.
The society has filed for non-profit status, which can take six to 18 months to be approved. Once approved, the organization will be able to accept donations and use the funds for the position and other costs. The society has five committee members.
“We are working real hard on that to get monies for advertising to get schools out in the fall for field trips,” Sparkman said. “It’s educational.”
A railroad enthusiast, Robert W. Willaford spent decades growing his collection of memorabilia. Last fall, he donated much of his collection to the city. Appraised at $220,000, the collection includes a 1963 red caboose, signal lights from crossings, benches Willaford made out of steel wheels and wood pallets and different types of carts and service vehicles among other things.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.