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Smiths Speed Up Project With $100,000 Gift

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By GEORGE WILKENS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

PLANT CITY - The gazebo at Veterans Memorial Park will be named for the prominent longtime Plant City family headed by former Navy pilot and retired auto dealer B.M. "Mac" Smith Jr.

During the Aug. 11 Plant City Commission meeting, the Smiths were introduced as donors of $100,000 to the long-discussed park and monument intended as a tribute to veterans of all branches of the military.

Jennifer Closshey, chairwoman of the Plant City Armed Forces Memorial Foundation, said Smith has worked tirelessly since plans for the memorial were first discussed.

"Our family is happy to take part and support the park as we start now with raising funds so this will be the best veterans park in the country," Smith said after Closshey's announcement.

At his side were his wife, Cookie, and daughters Marion Smith and Debbie Petrina. They also have another daughter, Kathy Wood of Nashville, Tenn.

The committee of more than two dozen residents working to make the memorial a reality announced earlier this month that a "well-established and successful Plant City family" had pledged $100,000 toward the project but didn't identify them further.

A longtime community leader, Mac Smith has served on many boards, including the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. He was Plant City's 1984 Outstanding Citizen of the Year and recipient of last year's Plant City Photo Archives Heritage Award.

He returned to Plant City after a 10-year military career during which he attained the rank of lieutenant commander and, in 1958, became president of B.M. Smith Motors, the auto dealership his father founded 15 years earlier. He built it up to become one of the area's largest Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealerships before selling it in March 2001.

Contributions so far to the Veterans Memorial Park at Courier Field total $292,709, Closshey said.

In addition to the 14-by-24 gazebo, the redesigned 2.2-acre park at the northwest corner of Wheeler and Herring streets will have many features - including gardens and benches - suitable for dedication to donors, whether an individual or family, she said.

"It is important for everyone to realize that this is the kickoff; there are multiple opportunities for everyone to get involved," Closshey said.

The initial phase of the project - estimated to cost $1 million - is about to begin. Completion is tentatively scheduled for November 2009, Closshey said.

The city commission, which in May 2007 approved Courier Field as the location for the monument, has appropriated $250,000 to remove the basketball courts and make other improvements to the property north of Bruton Memorial Library. The city will build courts at Mike Sansone Park on Park Road to replace the ones lost at Courier Field.

"The plan you have in place is going to be a major improvement to our community," Mayor Rick Lott told the many committee members present for Closshey's announcement.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com

IF YOU WANT TO HELP

Donations for the project payable to the Plant City Armed Forces Memorial Foundation Inc. can be mailed to Joe Sedita at Sedita & Co., CPAs, 104 N. Evers St., Suite 202, Plant City FL 33563.

To get involved with the project, call foundation spokeswoman Cassandra Banning, (813) 759-1638.

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