Sally Burns will guide downtown Dade City's civic efforts. She replaces Ginny Solberg, who is retiring.
By ANNE BROACHE
Published April 9, 2004
DADE CITY - A new leader will be steering Downtown Dade City Main Street's civic efforts when its office reopens April 19.
Sally Burns, a project manager for Progress Energy in Crystal River, will take over as executive director, replacing the retiring Ginny Solberg, Main Street's board of directors announced in a meeting Thursday morning.
Burns declined to comment on her new position Thursday, saying she wanted to be sure the board of directors had notified the other candidates.
Main Street president Dennis Alfonso said the board was excited about Burns' arrival. He added that he found Burns very sharp and organized - "one of those people who gets it immediately."
"We were all just reeling about losing Ginny Solberg, who has been absolutely fantastic," Alfonso said. "But Sally seems like she might be a really good fit."
Solberg, 61, announced in February that she planned to retire from her post after directors found a replacement for her. She said then that she enjoyed the work but thought the city would benefit from the fresh ideas a newcomer might bring.
Under Solberg's guidance, the March Affair on the Square, a new downtown event featuring fine art and flowers, came to life March 27. During her three years with Main Street, Solberg also helped to expand Monster Mash, an all-day Halloween festival downtown, and supported other downtown events. She and her husband moved to Dade City 10 years ago from North Miami.
Solberg could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Michael Hodges, who runs Hodges Family Funeral Home, headed the committee that searched for the new director.
"We're very excited to have her coming," Hodges said. "We think her talent and experience will be an asset to the community."
Hodges' committee was made up of board members Kathy Britton, Linda Babb and Pete Brock.
The search began in early March with a newspaper ad calling for resumes. The committee interviewed candidates during the weekend of April 3. In a special meeting Tuesday, Hodges secured the board's permission to offer Burns the position.
"She apparently was one of many applicants and the one who seemed to have the greatest depth of experience," Alfonso said.
They finalized the deal over lunch Wednesday.
Burns comes from a "longtime Dade City family," Hodges said.
