Safety Harbor Centennial Committee solicits public input for commemorative event

The newly formed Safety Harbor Centennial Committee met for the first time last week, as representatives of the five nonprofits chosen to lead the group, as well as community leaders and members of the public, discussed how to spend the $50,000 the City Commission recently earmarked for commemorative events to mark the occasion.

After agreeing to elect Nadine Nickeson as chair, the committee discussed whether all the money should be put towards one big event or dispersed to several, centennial themed happenings throughout the year.

“The city needs one signature event at the Waterfront Park, with music and fireworks, and also piggyback on other events,” Safety Harbor Historical Society board member Joe Caisse said at the start of the meeting on Wednesday, March 15.

“I like the idea of a signature event that involves everyone,” committee vice-chair Charrie Moscardini concurred.

While most everyone, including all five members of the city commission, agrees the city needs a signature event to mark Safety Harbor’s 100^th birthday, others want the committee to share the wealth.

“I am highly opposed to using all this money for one event,” business owner, city historian and community activist Caryl Dennis said when the committee took public comment. “I think we need to spread it out.”

Dennis, who runs a walking ghost tour of the town and has been vocal about the city establishing a centennial committee for more than a year, suggested hosting a talent show, making a timeline to highlight the city’s history and using tents, TV spots and videos to bring attention to the centennial.

“The point of this is to get the community involved,” she said.

Resident Sarah Ladelpha perhaps put it best, stating, “I think it needs to be big and different and show off Safety Harbor. It needs to benefit everybody and not just one group. It doesn’t need to generate revenue. This is supposed to be a fun time for everybody.”

After discussing the topic for about an hour, on short notice the day after the city’s municipal election, and with no clear-cut consensus as to which direction they should go, the committee elected to host another workshop on Tuesday evening to solicit ideas for the centennial festivities.

“We will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 to hear proposals for events and how to utilize the money,” Nickeson said. “After that, we will bring the proposals before the commission for their approval.”

Following the meeting, Nickeson and City Manager Matt Spoor spoke about the initial centennial committee meeting.

“I was very pleased with the response from the community” said Nickeson, who in addition to being a former commissioner is heavily involved in community organizations like Paint Your Heart Out and Kiwanis. “We now know people want a unique event that encompasses now and then, a unique event that takes place over a weekend.”

“Next meeting, we hope more Safety Harbor citizens and residents can be heard, and if they have additional ideas to bring to the table, we encourage them to come with their ideas.”

“I think the meeting set the tone for future discussions to get collaboration and input from the citizens of Safety Harbor on the centennial,” Spoor added.

“They’re looking for one large event over a three-day weekend and to use some of the funds to infuse other historically themed events. After the next meeting, they’ll present the ideas to the commission in April, and then we’ll start planning.”

Related content:

• SHCC designates centennial committee, earmarks $50K for signature event
• City, community collaborate on centennial celebrations
• Where are all the Safety Harbor centennial events?
• Commission selects Centennial logo(s)