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published: Friday, April 17, 2009
Remember When
By Ann Dupee
20 Years Ago - 1989
-- The City of Mascotte paid final respects to former Police Chief Don Page following Page's sudden death from a heart attack. Page had served as Mascotte Police Chief since September 1987, following the termination of former chief Mike Brady after his personal and unauthorized investigation of city officials.
Page worked hard to rebuild stability and confidence in the department and throughout the community, which was shaken by the arrest and conviction of former officer James Duckett for the May 1987 murder of 11-year-old Teresa Mae McAbee, as well as the October 1988 school sniper attack which wounded 3rd grader Leah Wilbanks.
At the time of his death, Page was compiling evidence in both cases, and he stated to South Lake Press reporters he felt he had sufficient evidence to help clear Duckett and to charge a juvenile suspect, already being held in a detention center for other crimes, in the sniper shooing.
-- More than 250 South Lake residents were on hand for a special Town Hall meeting and public hearing hosted by the County Commission at the newly remodeled Groveland High School Auditorium to hear a proposal to build a medium security federal prison, with a minimum security camp, in Lake County.
The majority of those present were prepared with speeches and petitions to protest the proposal before even hearing the presentation.
Although initial talks were not centered on any specific site, county officials are tentatively looking at a 250-acre tract near the U.S. 27, SR 19 and Florida Turnpike interchange that does not front the highway, as a possible site.
According to County Commission Chairman Chick Gregg, the site is being considered because construction of a federal institution would facilitate installation of necessary infrastructures, including utilities such as sewer and water, initially paid for by the federal government, which would help to bring other businesses and industries to the area.
-- Novelty Crystal broke ground at a site approximately 11/2 miles north of the Florida Turnpike on O'Brien Road, east of U.S. 27. Novelty Crystal will employ 25-30 people to start production of hundreds of molds for the many plastic items for home use in the 61,000 square foot building.
-- County Commissioners voted 3-2 (Don Bailey and Richard Swartz opposed) to spend $5,000 annual dues for membership in the Institute of Resource Recovery.
-- The sisters of Beta Theta ESA celebrated St. Patrick's Day at its monthly social at the home of Barbara and Bill Eyerly. Leprechauns had planted gold nuggets around the back yard area. The winning team that found two pounds total were Jim Mayer, Andrea Lewis, Rosa Sullivan , Richard Bell and Social Chairman Carol Andrews.
-- Karl Shoemaker, son of Merilyn Kuharske Shoemaker of Lake Worth and grandson of Charles G. and Nita Kuharske of Groveland, has been named a National Merit Scholar finalist for high school students.
-- Grand Opening of Ultimate Home and Kitchen, a Division of Kelly Woodworking, 838 W DeSoto Street, Clermont (next to the Police Station Downtown).
-- Clermont High School junior Tonya Berry grabbed top honors as Basketball Player of the Year for both the All-Area and All-County teams selected by the Daily Commercial and Orlando Sentinel. The talented Lady Highlander led her team to a 25-6 record, a 5th place state ranking and a District 2A-10 championship.
