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Community Lauds Lotts For Service

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By KEVIN BRADY, TBO.com

Published: September 5, 2007

PLANT CITY - More than 300 community leaders turned out Aug. 28 to honor Mayor Rick Lott and his wife, Di, for their service to Plant City.

The YMCA Strong Leader Award Dinner, in its fifth year, recognizes individuals whose contributions to Plant City civic life echo the YMCA's commitment to building the community. Past recipients include Plant City notables Mike Sparkman, Betty Chambers, Randy Larson and Cindy Churchill.

Sparkman, a former mayor, was on hand for the ceremony at the Red Rose Ballroom.

'It's a very well-deserved award,' Sparkman said.

It was the first time the award went to a couple.

'That makes it special for us,' Rick Lott said. 'We are a couple; a team. Di and I believe in strong families. The children are the foundation of everything we do.'

The Lotts have four children.

'We are strong supporters of the YMCA,' Di Lott said. 'They are helping build a strong community and strong families and helping make Plant City what it is today and what it will continue to be.'

The master of ceremonies for the evening, former Mayor John Dicks, said he was impressed with Lott when he worked with him as a commissioner.

'He was always very well prepared and there was always his wife, Di, sitting a couple of rows back taking notes during the city commission meetings. They are a great team.'

The Lotts have been married 17 years, and their children are Trent, 13, Ericka, 11, Chase, 9, and Rex, 6. Rick Lott owns three car dealerships in the Tampa Bay area as well as Xeno Office Solutions and Matrix Medical. He is in his second three-year term on the city commission and his first year as mayor. Di Lott has worked on several local charities, including the Rainbow Ball, a benefit for the Child Abuse Council. She is also an active volunteer in local education.

'We are delighted to recognize this dynamic couple who has given so much to the citizens of Plant City,' said Jack Holland, the 2007 planning committee chairman. 'We wanted to honor both of them because their strong partnership enables them to have an even greater impact on our community by working together to make a difference.'

The event also featured live and video testimonials from friends, colleagues and family.

Although the criteria for the award - a commitment to building strong communities and families - may be short, it reflects a lifetime of effort, said Laurie Ellis, chief operating officer of the Tampa YMCA.

'Everything that was said tonight about the Lotts was well deserved. It's one of the things that makes Plant City special, the way people support the community.'

Marion Smith, president of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, added her accolades.

'They are a great couple,' Smith said. 'Rick is a visionary. He could get an Eskimo to move to Florida, and the guy would thank him.'

Accepting the award, Lott said he was more than thankful.

'You can't imagine how our hearts feel tonight.'

'We are extremely honored,' Di Lott said. 'There is no greater honor than to be honored by your peers.'

Community producer Kevin Brady can be reached at (813) 545-8731 or kbrady@tbo.com.

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