Community Corner
Jack Bartlett Of Lithia Named Honorary Mayor Of Brandon
As is the tradition, the 2013 honorary mayor of Brandon was named before the start of the Fourth of July Parade.
Jack Bartlett has been named the 2013 Honorary Mayor of Brandon after collecting the most money for charity in the month of June.
As is the tradition, Bartlett heard the news at the law offices of B. Lee Elam, at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parsons Avenue, where the 2013 Greater Brandon Fourth of July Parade was set to begin at 10 a.m.
The naming of the mayor took place shortly after 8 a.m., with all four candidates in attendance. Collectively, Bartlett, Pearl Chiarenza, Dawn Galia and Grita Perry raised $79,882.11 for the charities they represent, minus 10 percent, which goes to support the Community Roundtable.
The Community Roundtable runs the annual race and parade and names each year the Alice B. Tompkins Community Service Award, Nonprofit of the Year Award, Father of the Year and Maureen Krzanowski Scholarship honorees.
In second place was Galia, executive director of the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association, who raised $25,068.80 on behalf of her charity, Center Place.
Bartlett, owner of Bartlett Custom Homes, said he was encouraged to run by Love, at a chance meeting at the Outback in FishHawk.
"I've been coming to the parade since 1978, and in 1998, 1999, I started bringing my kids, Brooke and Brice," Bartlett said. "I know a lot of the past mayors so I've got to do a good job and raise more money for charities, and not just mine."
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2013 Candidates For Honorary Mayor Of Brandon
- Jack Bartlett ran on behalf of the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center and A Kid's Place in Brandon.
- Pearl Chiarenza ran on behalf of the GFWC Brandon Service League and the Sylvia Thomas Center for Foster and Adoptive Families.
- Dawn Galia ran on behalf of the Center Place Fine Arts & Civic Association in Brandon. Galia is Center Place's executive director.
- Grita Perry ran on behalf of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA Brandon Sunburst) and the YMCA. Perry was the honorary mayor in 2002.
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