Zephyrhills Main Street leader stepping aside

Despite heavy criticism, the woman who has led the effort since October 1999 says she is glad downtown merchants are showing signs of unity.

By BRADY DENNIS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 6, 2001

ZEPHYRHILLS -- In a surprise announcement Tuesday, Zephyrhills Main Street director Betty Kennedy resigned effective June 19.

It wasn't exactly a sad farewell.

Despite several Kennedy supporters, a steady stream of criticism and near-insults about her performance dominated the discussion in a packed conference room in City Hall.

"Our livelihood depends on what happens on Main Street," said Debi Spanger, co-owner of Spanger Design. "We are oblivious a lot of times to what the board and the director are doing. There's a lot that could be done to generate activity downtown that's not being done."

Spanger drew applause when she suggested merchants start their own association and save the $20,000 a year that the city gives to Main Street.

"We need as many events as possible downtown," said Sue Lynn Miller, owner of Miller's Leap of Faith. "That's what the director is for, to promote downtown and be there. That hasn't happened."

City manager Steve Spina even hinted that he might suggest the organization be dissolved.

"From my personal perspective, I have to question where Main Street is going," Spina said. "We keep hearing from people downtown that business owners are being excluded from Main Street, that the Main Street people are not visible. There's no newsletter. There's no correspondence. We're going to have to ask if it's in the city's best interest to put $20,000 into something and see no return."

Kennedy sat silent through the meeting, smiling much of the time. Outside after the meeting adjourned, it was clear that the criticism had rolled off her. She said her $20,000 a year salary was not worth the constant criticism from business owners and the stress of organizing four major downtown events a year.

"I gave enough," said Kennedy, who took the job in October 1999.

"I'm happy. I think I accomplished the goals I set forth to do."

Kennedy said her greatest accomplishment was brokering a partnership with the University of South Florida to research ways to revitalize the downtown business district.

That study, valued at about $300,000, will commence this summer. Because of a grant, it will cost the city only $20,000. Main Street board member and City Council member Michael Bussell also chastised Kennedy's detractors.

"She took over an organization that was $2,000 in debt," Bussell said. "Now there is $14,000 in the bank account. She's done something right."

Kennedy said she hasn't decided what she will do next. Likewise, the Main Street board of directors has no candidates to replace her. Still, despite the bickering, Kennedy said she liked what she saw at Tuesday's meeting. Though many merchants banded against her, at least for once they were unified, she said.

"No matter how negative these people's comments were, that was a great thing," she said. "I understand where they're coming from, that's their livelihood. The merchants finally came together. When you see unity, that means you're moving in a positive direction."

- Brady Dennis can be reached at (352) 521-5757, ext. 23.

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