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Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2008

The Sun City Center committee charged with finding companies capable of assessing the golf courses in Sun City Center has identified 16 vendors who are certified in the field or otherwise considered fit to do the job. Letters to these companies were mailed on Oct. 21 and a "Bidder's Conference" was scheduled for Oct. 29.

Presentations would be due back on Dec. 3, and after review, would be presented to the board of directors on Jan. 12.

It's a good start to a sticky wicket, and the committee which developed the statement of work is to be commended. This is a highly charged and difficult assignment and is sure to attract supporters and detractors in sizeable numbers.

While credit is due to the whole task force: Mike Brock, Cyrille Cobe, Chuck Collett, Anne Cross, Tom Culliton, Martin Hurwitz and Lyle Watson. But particular kudos go to CA vice president and committee chair Ed Barnes for steering this disparate group. The makeup is golfers, non-golfers, those who live on golf courses, those who do not live on golf courses, those who live north of 674 and those who live south of 674. Getting an agreement at all, much less getting an agreement in a very short period of time, must have taken a style of management we are not used to seeing in local government.

I do not always agree with Ed Barnes in matters coming before the CA Board - of which it must be admitted I am a member - but no one can fault him on this job. With Paul Wheat retiring as CA president and from the board at the end of the year, he's my choice to succeed Wheat. This former submarine officer gets things done quickly and without making enemies. Maybe living in tight quarters in submarines makes you more conscious of other people's feelings and how to get stuff accomplished without fuss and the ruffling of feathers.

This, of course, could be the kiss of death for Barnes. It may be incredibly hard to believe, but I am not totally beloved by my fellow board members.

All of us are faced with choices in what charities to support these days. The economic upheavals we have been experiencing put charities to the test and our own savings subject to consideration. But I think one of the most worthy groups around is the Susan G. Komen Rally for the Cure - the breast cancer foundation.

And one of the reasons I like the Rally for the Cure here in SCC is that the people who put it on are us. "We have met our friends," to paraphrase Pogo, "and she is us." The SCC Women's Golf Association 18 Hole Division, the 9 Hole Division and the Caloosa Greens Ladies Golf Association are the sponsors, the worker bees and, in many cases, the breast cancer survivors.

This year's golf tournament is on Nov. 21 and sponsors are needed. They are badly needed. In past years, the rally has raised between $30 and $40,000. But in good years, sponsors are out there. Now, with many businesses taking a beating, it's a tough slog to get sponsors.

Brandon Honda has signed on as a gold sponsor, so has the Center for Radiation Oncology, Fox & Friends Animal Hospital, H&R Block, Price-Tuberosa, M&M Printing/Observer News and Royal Doulton Neighbors. But there's a long way to go this year to even get close to the past.

Base Sponsorship is $150-$299, Bronze is $300-$499, Silver $500-$999 and gold is over $1,000. Contact Karen Stanhope at 2234 Platinum Drive, Sun City Center, 33573 or call (813) 633-2232 for more information.

Bob Black is a member of the board of directors for the Sun City Center Community Association. He has been published in numerous publications, including The New York Herald Tribune and the New York Times.

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