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Letter to the editor

Naming park in Lutz ignites controversy

Some opposed calling the future site Carolyn Meeker Park and offered alternate suggestions.

By BILL COATS
Published July 4, 2004

LUTZ - None of the 50 people at a meeting last week wanted to criticize Carolyn Meeker, the late civic leader. But they managed to have a dandy argument over whether to name a future park for her.

The bickering prompted Hillsborough County parks officials to remind the debaters that they were being videotaped. And after an hour, the department's spokesman tried to close off the discussion by saying, "Ya'll can continue this until 11 o'clock tonight, or you can duke it out outside."

But the officials said they would continue accepting comments on the Meeker question by mail or e-mail until July 14. Then they will make a recommendation to the Hillsborough County Commission, which has the final decision.

Meeker, who died of cancer last August, had been a pillar of the Lutz Civic Association for three decades. She was one of Hillsborough County's earliest and most durable crusaders for better controls on growth.

After Meeker's death, her friends suggested attaching her name to 11 acres of undeveloped park property south of Lutz's old downtown. Three of Lutz's largest civic groups - the Civic Association, the Lutz Community Council and the Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club - endorsed the idea. Then, the staff of the county's Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department suggested it to the County Commission.

But the commission balked after hearing objections from Gaye Townsend, the most persistent critic of the Civic Association. Thursday's meeting resulted.

"Lutz never gets a consensus. We found that out a long time ago," said Denise Layne, president of the Civic Association. "But this is supported by the majority."

Meeker's supporters, who seemed to outnumber opponents at the meeting, included members of the three groups that had suggested the park-naming, plus several relatives of Meeker and a contingent from the bell choir of St. Mary Catholic Church, with whom Meeker had performed.

Three vocal opponents emerged.

Elizabeth MacManus, the area's venerable historian, suggested naming the park for her father, Mike Riegler. In 1911, Riegler was the first in a wave of Lutz settlers, and he went on to become the dean of the area's citrus growers.

Townsend and Larry Padgett, another critic of the Civic Association, suggested the park receive a neutral name in deference to other deserving people.

"How can you possibly take one person when we have so many other people?" Townsend asked.

By that logic, Layne retorted, Lutz should remove longstanding names from its busiest parks. The Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex was named for the organizer of an all-volunteer effort that developed the park. Nye Park was named for Bobby Nye, a Lutz Navy pilot who was killed in World War II.

Meeker's sister, Betty Banks of Tampa, said Meeker would have been embarrassed by all the fuss over her but would have appreciated the civic involvement.

"Even if you're opposed," Banks said, "thank you for coming out."

Until July 14, Hillsborough County will accept comments on whether a future park in Lutz should be named for Carolyn Meeker. Those can be mailed to Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County Communications Department, P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601, or e-mailed to valdezs@hillsboroughcounty.org

[Last modified July 3, 2004, 09:02:07]