Former New Port Richey mayor receives public servant award

Wendy Brenner was honored by the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Several others also received awards at an annual chamber banquet.

By JENNIFER GOLDBLATT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 20, 2002

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Over the past decade, Wendy Brenner has worn the titles of New Port Richey mayor, City Council member, Chasco Fiesta coordinator, board member of the Tourist Development Council and Tampa Bay Water, and president of the Florida League of Cities.

Now, she has one more title: Outstanding Public Servant.

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce bestowed that honor on Brenner at its annual banquet Friday.

"Not only did she work in the governmental end of things, but she was so much more involved in the community with a number of different organizations," said Joe Alpine, president of the West Pasco Chamber. "She has always found the time to be involved in other areas outside of her job responsibilities."

Brenner was elected mayor in 2000 and finished her term last April. She was diagnosed with cancer and did not run for her seat again.

The chamber presented seven other awards to the following individuals and service organizations:

Chuck Grey was given the Eminent Pioneer Acknowledgement Award. The award is for someone who has demonstrated outstanding service in West Pasco for more than two decades. Grey, co-owner of Coldwell Banker F.I. Grey & Sons, was honored for the leadership roles he has taken in the New Port Richey Rotary, the chamber, the American Cancer Society, Leadership Pasco and other groups.

Robert Judson, president of Pasco-Hernando Community College, was named Outstanding Innovator. The award is for someone who, through work and voluntary effort, has made a meaningful and lasting change to the quality of life in Pasco.

Judson is commissioner of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the chairman of Gov. Jeb Bush's Nursing Shortage Task Force. He has previously served on the Governor's Committee on Minority Affairs and the Reorganization Committee for Health and Human Services. He has been named Outstanding Administrator of the Year by the Florida Association of Community Colleges.

John Mann, principal of Chasco Elementary School, was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year. The award is for an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to West Pasco. Mann has volunteered for the chamber, Business Development Week and the Salvation Army, among other groups.

Craig McCart and Dr. Ken Martin each received the Outstanding Community Service Award, which is given to someone who has provided community service to many different areas of the county.

McCart, who serves as executive director of the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida, was honored for the fundraising and volunteer work he has done for Bayonet Point Middle School, the American Cancer Society, the chamber, Hudson Water Works, Chasco Fiesta and the Hudson Seafest.

Martin, who owns Dentistry by Ken Martin & Associates, has given his time and energies to the Trinity Rotary, the chamber, Hope United Methodist Church, the Good Samaritan Clinic and Pasco County schools.

Chris Masseo was named Ambassador of the Year for the second year in a row. The award goes to a member of the chamber's ambassador group, which hosts ribbon cuttings and welcomes new businesses into the chamber. Masseo is owner/broker for Florida Luxury Realty.

The YMCA of the Suncoast was named the Outstanding Area Youth Organization. The YMCA has served more than 6,000 youth from Trinity to Hudson through swim lessons, youth sports, child care and summer camps.

The Trinity Rotary Club was named Outstanding Service Club for the fundraising efforts of its 43 members for local nonprofit agencies that include Lighthouse for the Blind, Youth and Family Alternatives, the Boys and Girls Club and the Pasco Pediatric Foundation.

-- Jennifer Goldblatt covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is goldblatt@sptimes.com.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright