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Monday, 08 September 2008 |
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Safety Harbor’s Public Library Foundation set a high bar with its inaugural event honoring local volunteers. The first two residents honored as “Treasures of the Harbor” each have devoted literally thousands of hours over the course of nearly three decades to serving their community. Luella Myrick and Jane Hussar indeed are outstanding examples of community treasures. While the first two recipients are outstanding, it should be noted that 11 names were placed in nomination by local residents and each was deserving of recognition. Considering this was the first time this event was held, it was an impressive slate and bodes well for future selections.
Luella Myrick has been a resident of Safety Harbor for nearly a half-century and has played a critical role in improving her neighborhood, Lincoln Heights. She is credited with providing key leadership on a wide variety of projects ranging from neighborhood beautification to critical infrastructure improvements. The list of improvements is a catalog of how badly her neighborhood was neglected. Lincoln Heights suffered devastating floods in 1979 and 1981 and Myrick tirelessly lobbied city commissioners until the situation was addressed. Drainage problems have been corrected, sidewalks and streetlights installed and Daisy Douglas Park constructed. Along the way, Myrick called for establishing a Neighborhood Crime Watch program for Lincoln Heights and worked with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department to deter drug dealers. She also helped get an entrance sign identifying the neighborhood and worked to initiate the renaming of Fourth Street North to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. She credits and demonstrates the role of family and church in improving the community.
Jane Hussar has been honored by many groups, particularly those associated with the GFWC Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs, where she has played a key role locally and statewide for more than 25 years. The time she has devoted to volunteer activities is staggering. When the Library Foundation nominees were introduced, it was noted that they cumulatively represented more than 60,000 hours of volunteer contributions. When Hussar was introduced, it was noted that she personally represented 20,000 of those hours. Hussar has been the quintessential “soccer mom.” She was a PTA member in four schools as her sons grew up and helped create “Parent University,” an award-winning PTA family support program. Her activities have not been limited to schools and sports. She created the Kendale Neighborhood Watch program and served as president of her homeowners’ association. She served on the city’s 80th anniversary committee, participated in activities at the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center and Paint Your Heart Out Safety Harbor. She also was one of the founders of the Fall Festival of Arts and Crafts Show at Heritage United Methodist Church. Her nominator noted, “…when Jane asked if you want to help or volunteer you could be doing anything.”
Luella Myrick and Jane Hussar are indeed “Treasures of the Harbor” and the community would be a lesser place without them.
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