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They'll Promise You Anything

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By B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

LUTZ - LUTZ - In a community that cherishes its traditions - and in the midst of one of its favorite celebrations - a new Lutz Guv'na will be proclaimed Friday.

But who will don the Dr. Seuss-style hat, put on the red sash, claim the key to the community and take the oath of office over a copy of "Green Eggs and Ham"?

This year, four candidates are vying for the honor: Terri Burgess, a second-grade teacher at Lutz Elementary; Sandy Elmore, a volunteer for the Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club; Denise Hopkinson, the owner of Scraporium; and Terri Williamson, an advertising saleswoman for The Community News Publications.

It's anybody's guess who will win the annual contest, which dates to 1991. The winner is expected to be announced around 11:20 a.m. at the Train Depot in Bullard Park, at the northwest corner of Lutz-Lake Fern Road and U.S. Highway 41.

It all began when the community was looking for ways to raise money for its volunteer fire department and annual Independence Day festivities.

People always talk about how the politician with the most money wins, so organizers of the Guv'na race decided to hold a mock election based entirely on that premise, recalled Jan Smith, who was there at the beginning.

The race draws entrants from all walks of life.

Over the years there have been a private eye, a pediatrician and a soda pop guy.

There have been people who sell things: insurance, flowers, homes, janitorial supplies.

Even Sticky the Duck waddled into the act one year, raising $125.17, according to one news account.

Some candidates have given themselves nicknames, such as "Funky Diva" and "Style Kitten."

Others have dressed the part. As Uncle Sam, a French chamber maid and Elvis.

Vince Arcuri used a different approach: He stripped off his pink, button-down shirt, while dancing to "Respect" during the Guv'na's 2000 debate.

Arcuri won the debate and eventually, was named Guv'na.

Some contestants join the race willingly. Others are recruited.

Marilyn Wannamaker was the newest member of the woman's club when Auralee Buckingham tapped her to run for Guv'na. Earl Smith was on vacation when the fire department "volunteered" him.

Winners have been young and old, male and female. But so far, only one family has claimed the title twice: Betty Neeley in 1992 and her son, Danny, seven years later.

The younger Neeley was a trooper. Not even kidney stones could keep him from marching in the mile-long parade, but the pain did force him to delay taking the oath of office until the civic association met a month later.

Like some politicians, most Guv'na candidates have made promises they had no intention of keeping.

Helen Kinyon, the owner of a janitorial supply company, didn't wait long to renege on one campaign pledge: "Those of you who gave me a dollar so I'd come to clean your house - it was a lie," she told the crowd, minutes into her 2001 term.

Joni Cagle, who was crowned Guv'na five years ago, didn't make good on her promise, either. She vowed to bring the Super Bowl to Lutz. It hasn't happened, and residents there are probably glad.

In keeping with the community's contrarian nature, the race itself has had a bit of controversy.

It happened 10 years ago, when Sandy Ruberg, an Avila resident with a flower shop in Lutz, raised $6,207 to become Lutz Guv'na.

Some protested, murmuring Ruberg didn't live in Lutz "proper."

Others complained the Guv'na campaign wasn't fun anymore, that it had become too focused on money.

The woman's club - which had been running the race for years - grew tired of the bickering and decided to relinquish its role. Not wanting the event to die, the Lutz Civic Association assumed the reins and has been running it since.

The campaigns tend to be silly, but candidates work tirelessly to raise money.

They use various methods.

Chicken dinners, spaghetti dinners, luncheons and car washes have been popular choices, through the years.

Other approaches have included kissing booths, karaoke, psychic readings, golf tournaments, luaus, barbecues and flea markets.

This year's efforts to drum up donations have included a motorcycle rally, an ice cream social, a scrap and sew night and a family fun day.

The fundraisers tend to bring friends and neighbors together, to eat, play, shop and socialize. And, in the end, they raise money that touches a lot of lives.

Proceeds from Guv'na campaigns have gone for tents and camping equipment for Scouts, plants for a butterfly garden at Nye Park, batting helmets for the Lutz Leaguerettes, insurance for the Old Lutz School, equipment and uniforms for the volunteer fire department, scholarships for cancer survivors and numerous other Lutz causes.

Giving back to the community is what it's all about, said Michele Northrup, the reigning Guv'na, who alone raised $16,912 in last year's campaign - which topped $27,000.

Of course, it's fun, too, Northrup said, noting she'll miss telephoning people and announcing: "It's the Guv'na."

Besides having bragging rights, the Guv'na is a big shot at various community gatherings, at new store openings, at the annual lighting of the Lutz Christmas tree and in the following year's Independence Day celebration.

The Guv'na campaign is important because it helps bind the community, said Edwina Kraemer, who grew up in a small town and felt like she had come home when she moved to Lutz.

The Guv'na campaign reminds people of the importance of giving back to their community - a value that sometimes is forgotten in larger, more anonymous places, said Kraemer, who served as Guv'na two years ago.

"Without these traditions, you become one of those lost big towns."

IF YOU GO

Lutz Independence Day

Celebration

WHEN: The event begins with a 5K run at 8 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m. The event also includes a parade, a Cake Bake contest and auction, the election of the Lutz Guv'na, barbecue chicken dinners, pony rides, a water slide, booths and games. Call (813) 949-7481 for information,

WHERE: Most activities begin in or near Bullard Park, which is at the northwest corner of Lutz-Lake Fern Road and U.S. Highway 41. Good places to watch the 10 a.m. parade are along Lutz-Lake Fern Road and in front of the Lutz Library.

Other Fourth of July Festivities

Carrollwood

Fourth of July parade and picnic in Original Carrollwood:

Event starts with a parade and is followed by an old-fashioned picnic with hot dogs and watermelon.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Friday

WHERE: The parade starts at the Carrollwood Recreation Center at 3515 McFarland Road and winds down to White Sands Beach. The picnic will follow at Lake Carroll. For information, call Cary Brown at (813) 932-1257.

Lutz

Idlewild's Family Night On The Fourth

It includes a classic car show, children's games, musical entertainment and fireworks. Families can bring a picnic, or purchase barbecued dinners, snacks, water, soda and ice cream.

WHERE: At Idlewild Baptist Church's athletic fields off Van Dyke Road, at North Dale Mabry Highway. The church is at 18371 N. Dale Mabry Highway. For information, call (813) 264-1515.

WHEN: The event begins at 5 p.m. and concludes with the fireworks, which are scheduled to begin around 9 p.m. and last about 30 minutes.

South Tampa

Bayshore Presbyterian Church, Fourth of July Community Celebration.

Free event includes a clown, disc jockey, games, cotton candy, hot dogs, games, crafts and more. For information, call (813) 253-3771.

WHEN: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: 2515 Bayshore Blvd.

Channelside

The SS American Victory celebrates Independence Day with special pricing for its Restoration Tours and offers front-row seating on the ship's deck for the fireworks, which begin around 9 p.m. at Channelside. For information, call (813) 228-8766 or go to www .americanvictory.org.

WHERE: The Victory is moored at 705 Channelside Drive, directly behind the Florida Aquarium.

WHEN AND HOW MUCH: The ship opens at 10 a.m. Admission is $10 per person all day; $5 per person after 5 p.m. Refreshments will be sold.

The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is reducing its admission price to $10 after 3 p.m. and is extending its hours until 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Visitors also can take a sunset cruise to view the fireworks aboard the aquarium's 64-foot catamaran, the Bay Spirit, which departs at 7 p.m. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine; tickets are $55. For details, call (813) 273-4568.

WHERE: 701 Channelside Drive

PAST GUV'NA WINNERS

Jo Van Bebber, 1991

Betty Neeley, 1992

Leslie "Pete" Dennison, 1993

Lorraine Dabney, 1994

Kay Dahman, 1995

Ben Nevel, 1996

Earl Smith, 1997

Sandy Ruberg, 1998

Danny Neeley, 1999

Vince Arcuri, 2000

Helen Kinyon, 2001

Brett Montegny, 2002

Joni Cagle, 2003

Dean Rivett, 2004

Liz Iaconetti, 2005

Edwina Kraemer, 2006

Michele Northrup, 2007

Information from The Tampa Tribune archives was used in this report. Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampa trib.com.

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