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DAR outlines America250 plans as Dade City swears in officers and hears merchant feedback on parade timing
Summary
At the Dec. 9 meeting, the Ekabuk Sasa chapter of the DAR presented America250 event proposals for Dade City; the commission also swore in/pinned officers, accepted a foundation gift, and heard public comments urging clearer parade/road‑closure communications for downtown merchants.
The Daughters of the American Revolution’s local chapter presented a slate of community events and requested city and county support for the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, while the commission also staged a swearing‑in and promotion ceremony for new and promoted police officers and heard public comment about recent parade communications.
Karen Gaskin, chair of the America250 committee for the Ekabuk Sasa chapter, told the commission the DAR has coordinated with civic groups and merchants for lead‑up events beginning in February and a main July 4 program that could include music, military participation and fireworks if county and city support are confirmed. “Our goal was to raise awareness, provide suggestions, solicit civic merchant and service organizations’ participation to adopt, lead, or support one or more of these events, making this a community wide event,” Gaskin said. She noted the chapter has committed to sponsoring 10 lamppost banners and that Pasco County has approached the committee about using the old courthouse for July 4 celebrations and fireworks.
Earlier in the meeting, Police Chief Sterling introduced new hires and promoted officers; two hires (Officer Nager Smith and Officer Terry Winthrop) and promotions to sergeant (Michael Madolo and Devon Greenwald) were recognized and pinned by family members. Jeannie Germain, president of the Dade City Police Foundation, presented a small gift from the foundation to the new officers and praised their service. Officers recited the oath of office, affirming their duties to the U.S. and Florida constitutions and to the city.
During public comment, Vicky Wiggins, CEO of the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce, invited commissioners to several chamber events and noted a breakfast featuring the Pasco County Schools superintendent. Merchant Jessica Boris thanked the city for outreach around the Christmas parade but said the downtown merchants received mixed messages on street‑closure timing — she said staff told merchants streets would close earlier yet the streets remained open until about 6:00 p.m., which she said likely cost her business a few hundred dollars. She asked for clearer, earlier notification about closure times for upcoming events such as the Saturday Christmas Stroll.
What’s next: DAR planning meetings continue (Gaskin said a committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Dade City Chamber building). The police promotions and foundation presentation were ceremonial and completed during the meeting; city staff said photos and family recognition followed.
