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Welcome, World Travelers! Why Was Splash Mountain Controversial?

Staff Reporter
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Welcome, World Travelers! Why Was Splash Mountain Controversial?

by James Coulter

After 30 years of sending riders splashing into the briar patch, Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World has closed. The ride will undergo extensive refurbishment to be re-themed as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” based on the popular 2009 animated film, Princess and the Frog. The new ride is expected to open in 2024.

Previously, the former attraction was themed to the animated Brer Rabbit segments from the 1946 movie, Song of the South, a film deemed so controversial due to racially-insensitive elements that Disney has yet to release it on either home media or streaming.

The problematic nature of the ride and its source material is partially the reason why the attraction will be changed. The re-theme was announced in 2020 shortly following the protests of George Floyd’s death. For this reason, the announced change has been accused by some detractors of Disney pushing “political correctness” and a “woke” agenda.

But is the Splash Mountain re-theme necessary? Does the old ride deserve to be tossed into the briar patch? And does Tiana deserve to take its place as the princess of her bayou adventure? Answering that question will require delving into three quarters of a century’s worth of history. So, strap yourself in because this is going to be a wild ride.

Note: This article will be citing and summarizing information as presented by two YouTube videos: Tony Goldmark’s “Splash Mountain: Why Tiana’s Almost There (And Why That’s Okay)” (https://youtu.be/U5hIamKrdxk) and DreamSound’s “Disney’s Racist Ride.” (https://youtu.be/1iz4FwBUN2M) Please watch both of those videos if you want a more thorough in-depth analysis.

Part 1: Song of the South

Released in 1946, Song of the South was Disney’s first live-action film and its first full-length feature to combine live-action with animated elements. The movie is based on the Uncle Remus tales as written and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris—a childhood favorite of Walt Disney.

The film is about Johnny, a young boy who has been sent to live with his wealthy mother on her southern plantation. Initially, Johnny does not care for his new home, but he soon grows to love it after meeting Uncle Remus, a kindly old plantation worker who tells him stories about Brer Rabbit. Unfortunately, Johnny’s mother does not take kindly to him befriending the elderly black gentleman (because racism) and has Remus sent away. Johnny chases after him, gets hit by a bull, and only recovers after Remus returns and promises to stay.

On a technical level, Song of the South was praised for its blend of live-action and animation, a technique that would be later perfected in 1964’s Mary Poppins. However, the film has also received criticism for its portrayal of African-Americans. Most of the movie’s black actors play workers on a Southern (post-Civil War Reconstruction-era) plantation portrayed as happily serving under its white owners, and the characters speak in racially-insensitive broken English (which, unfortunately, was common during movies at the time).

Even when it was first released in 1946, Song of the South sparked controversy for its racial insensitivity. The movie was protested with picket lines, denounced by the NAACP, declared an “insult to American minorities” by a U.S. Congressman, and decried by one movie critic as “as vicious a piece of propaganda for white supremacy as Hollywood ever produced.” (This was only a few years after Hollywood produced Birth of a Nation, an infamous movie that glorified and helped revitalize the Ku Klux Klan!)

In fairness, the movie attempted to convey a progressive message about racial tolerance. In a time when most movie theaters were segregated (to the point where not even the actor who played Uncle Remus was allowed to watch its premiere), a movie about a young white boy learning to overcome the racial prejudice of his elders by befriending people marginalized as a “lower” race and class and treating them as his equal is somewhat radical.

The movie also provided prominent acting roles to James Baskett (Uncle Remus) and Hattie McDaniel, a black actress who had previously starred in the equally controversial Gone with the Wind a few years prior. And while Baskett was unable to attend the movie’s opening night, Walt Disney did campaign relentlessly for him to be given an Academy Award for his performance, claiming that the man deserved it for his hard work.

Regardless, due to its negative reception, Song of the South was re-released theatrically in 1956, with no re-release during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s (for obvious reasons). The movie would only be shown later in 1972, 1980, and 1986 (more on that later). Since then, it has never had a theatrical release, and it has never been released on home media or streaming in America.

So why did this controversial film become the basis of a thrill ride? Well…

Part 2: Splash Mountain

Flash forward to the mid-1980s. Michael Eisner took charge as the new Disney CEO, and he had big plans for Disneyland. To change its public perception as being a park for “little kids”, he wanted to build new thrill rides to draw in an older teen demographic. Star Tours, which opened in 1987, was one of those attractions.

Another ride he proposed would be a log flume ride. Disney did not have an outdoor water ride, and something like Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knotts Berry Farm would most likely draw in guests during the hot summer months. As Critter Country (then Bear Country) was the only place in the park with enough available space, the ride would have to be built there and themed to the area.

Initally, the ride was proposed as “Moonshine Run”, a combination log flume/shooter ride that would have had guests using laser guns to shoot at redneck bears making and smuggling moonshine. However, that initial plan was scrapped, and a new proposal was pitched to theme the ride after Song of the South.

The new ride would re-use animatronic animal characters from the defunct America Sings attraction. As the characters were designed by Marc Davis, who had also worked as an animator for Song of the South, the rustic southern animatronics would fit right perfectly alongside Brer Rabbit and the other animated Song of the South Characters.

To ensure it still had brand marketability to build an entire ride around it, the movie had a limited theatrical release for four weeks in 1986. If it received any protest or boycott, then the ride would be scrapped. The theatrical re-release proved successful, and construction went underway.

Originally pitched as Zip-A-Dee River Run, Splash Mountain (re-named to strangely tie in with the 1984 live-action movie Splash) opened in the newly re-themed Critter Country in Disneyland in 1989. Three years later, the ride would be built in Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

While the attraction focuses primarily on the animated Brer Rabbit segments from the movie, quotes from Uncle Remus can be seen posted through the queue, and, of course, the main headline song is the movie’s famous “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah!”

Part 3: The Controversy

Being based on a controversial film like Song of the South, Splash Mountain has received criticism. Some fans insist the attraction preserves the story and characters of the Brer Rabbit animated segments while stripping away and toning down the other problematic elements of the movie. Other fans, however, claim the ride merely sanitizes those problematic elements.

In her video essay, Dreamsounds explains how many of the movie’s songs, which are also played in the ride’s queue, were based on racist blackface minstrel songs. In fact, the movie and ride’s most popular song, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah!”, was influenced by the minstrel song, “Zip Coon.”

“Disney definitely tried to separate the ride from the movie,” she said. “Although Disney tried to sift out the film’s problematic elements when making Splash Mountain…Song of the South would not exist without problematic racist traditions, so thinking it’s possible to separate the movie from them to make a ride is missing the point.”

Many fans have called for Splash Mountain to be changed. One Change.org petition, created in June 2020, requested the attraction be re-themed to Princess and the Frog, not only to remove the ride’s problematic origins, but also to give a ride to Disney’s first black princess. That petition received 21 thousand signatures.

“Disney parks should be a home for all to enjoy,” the petition read. “There is a huge need for diversity in the parks and this could help fill that need. Princess and the Frog is a beloved princess movie but has very little representation in the parks. Tiana could be one of the first princesses with a thrill ride, as well as giving her a much-deserved place in the parks.”

Nearly a month later, Disney officially announced it would re-theme Splash Mountain to Princess and the Frog. But while some fans were excited and others mildly disappointed, others complained the Walt Disney Company was kowtowing to “political correctness” and a “woke agenda.” Complicating matters was how the announcement was made shortly after the death of George Floyd and amidst the ensuing nationwide Black Lives Matter protests.

But is this all true? Did Disney really decide to change the ride due to an online petition? Was Disney succumbing to a “woke agenda”? Most likely not. The blog post announcing the change claimed the Imagineers had been working on the ride concept since last year. Even then, as Tony Goldmark explained in his video essay, the timing between the petition and the announcement was too short for Disney to develop the new ride concept.

“This has all the earmarks of something that was pitched like a decade ago and the executives never quite thought it was worth the cost until now, but when the [petition] campaign went viral, it loosened their purse strings,” he said.

Since then, other petitions have been created to #SaveSplashMountain. One petition, at more than 100,000 signatures, even received four times the support than the petition to change the ride. Unfortunately, with the ride having recently closed for refurbishment, Disney seems set on its initial decision.

But was Disney’s decision inspired by an attempt to appear “woke”? Again, most likely not. The real reason seems to be the same reason Disney had re-themed the former Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride to Winnie the Pooh: to theme the ride on a more relevant (and thus more lucrative) intellectual property.

After all, which seems more profitable? Keeping a ride themed off an old movie deemed so controversial it still hasn’t been released on home media or streaming? Or re-theming it to a more recent and more popular princess movie? In the end, Disney seems to care less about “Black Lives Matter” and more about seeing green.

On a more positive note, Tony Baxter, the original Imagineer who designed Splash Mountain, has given his blessing on the ride’s retheme and will even be coming out of retirement to serve as a consultant on its redesign.

Overall, Disney seems set on the re-theme from the controversial Song of the South to the more popular Princess and the Frog. Only time will tell how well the new attraction will be. But even if you’re blue about Splash Mountain, you can take solace in knowing that it’ll be the same old ride with a new coat of paint.

It’s the truth. It’s actual. Everything is satis-factual!

What do you think? Do you think it was right for Disney to close Splash Mountain? Are you looking forward to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Or are you going to miss Brer Rabbit and friends too much? Tell us what you think in a comment on our Facebook page.

Bartow Man Killed In Early Morning Winter Haven Crash

Carl Fish
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Bartow Man Killed In Early Morning Winter Haven Crash

A crash involving two vehicles on Thornhill Road in Winter Haven early Sunday morning, January 22, 2023 resulted in the death a Bartow man.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at 5:15 a.m., to the crash scene near the intersection of Thornhill Road and Sugar Creek Road.

Upon arrival of first responders, a 63-year-old Bartow man was found deceased. He was the driver of a blue 1999 Mercury Grand Marquise.

The second driver, 37-year-old Keith Lawson of Bartow, was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. He was driving a red 2002 Ford Explorer.

Based on evidence and interviews at the scene, Traffic Homicide investigators determined that the 63-year-old man was traveling north on Thornhill Road, while Mr. Lawson was traveling south. Mr. Lawson swerved across the center, double-yellow line of Thornhill Road and crashed into the front driver’s side of the Grand Marquise.

Detectives are investigating if excessive speed, impairment, and/or distracted driving are factors in the crash; this investigation is on-going. A small portion of Thornhill Road was closed in the area of the crash for approximately three hours.

54 Yr Old Man Killed In Polk Crash

Carl Fish
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54 Yr Old Man Killed In Polk Crash

A crash involving two vehicles on U.S. 27 in Davenport Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2023 resulted in the death of one of the drivers.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at 2:28 p.m., to the crash scene at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Minute Maid Ramp Road #2. 

Upon arrival of first responders, 54-year-old Patrick Corrao of Davenport was found unresponsive in his vehicle and transported to a local hospital where he later died. He was driving a gold 2005 Toyota Highlander.

The second driver, 29-year-old Cody Hurt of Winter Haven, was uninjured. He was driving a 2022 Peterbilt Box Truck.

Based on evidence and interviews at the scene, Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Mr. Hurt was traveling southbound in the outside (right) lane and approaching a traffic signal well below the speed limit. At the same time, Mr. Corrao was in the same lane behind the box truck also traveling below the speed limit.

Witnesses told detectives that Mr. Corrao’s vehicle drifted off the right side of the roadway, reentered the outside lane, and then drifted to the right again. He then failed to stop, and his Toyota struck the rear of the box truck. 

There was very little damage to either vehicle. It is believed Mr. Corrao may have suffered a medical episode which possibly caused the crash. The investigation is on-going, but no criminal charges are anticipated.

Slam The Brakes at Brake Burger Garage for Great Burgers

Staff Reporter
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by James Coulter

My New Year’s resolution (which most other people commonly make) is to lose weight. More than two weeks in and I’ve succeeded in losing four pounds. So, what better way to celebrate than splurging on fast food? And what better place than Lake Wales’ newest (and hottest) burger joint?

Brake Burger Garage is the brain child of Dwyane McQuillen, owner of Crazy Fish Bar and Grill and Harry’s Old Place. Despite being someone who normally specializes in serving seafood, McQuillen wanted to open an eatery that, as What Now Orlando put it, “grills a better burger than the usual fast food offering.”

His idea manifested itself into Lake Wales’ newest burger joint, which, true to its name, is built inside an old gas station next door to Locorrito along US Highway 60. The eatery recently started with a test opening on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I (along with my publisher, Carl Fish) was one of the lucky “taste testers.”

Brake Burger Garage’s menu is typical burger joint fare: burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and tenders. If you’re craving a burger that isn’t your run-of-the-mill McDonalds and Burger King, this new place will offer you something familiar with enough of a new kick and twist to make you at least want to give it a try—or even two.

During my visit on Tuesday evening, I decided to break my New Year’s resolution by ordering the eatery’s eponymous Brake Burger with grilled onions, pickles, and signature Brake Sauce (more on that later) with a side of waffle fries and cole slaw. I also added jalapenos because I like my food with an extra kick.

I also placed an order for loaded waffle fries as an appetizer. I had the option to top those fries with bacon, beef, or chicken, but I didn’t want to break my resolution that badly (or break the servers there that busy evening with extra ingredients).

Glancing over the menu, I was tempted to order some of the spicy chicken sandwiches, especially the Nashville Chicken tenders. However, as this is a burger joint, it was only proper to judge it based on its burgers. (But if the chicken is anything like the Nashville Chicken at Locorrito next door, then I’m sure they were finger-licking good!)

Both the burger and loaded fries were served with the signature Brake Sauce, a tangy mayo-based sauce with cumin, onion, and chili powder. The best comparison I can make is either to Guy Ferrari’s Donkey Sauce or to Zaxby’s signature sauce–enough of a tang to kick it a real kick but not too spicy to set your mouth blazing.

As for the burger patty, it was equal parts meaty and greasy. In other words, the best kind of diner-style burger, seeping with enough finger-licking grease to make you thankful you’re eating it in an absorbent-enough bun. Though diners be warned: the grease does drip, so make sure you’re eating it over your fries and not over your shirt.

The best way I can describe the burger is that it’s about the size and quality of a Checker’s or Culver’s burger served with the greasy, smash-burger goodness of Five Guy’s and with a tangy sauce like Zaxby’s. In other words, excellent!

As for the overall atmosphere, I admit, judging it based on a busy test eater’s evening is slightly unfair. In its favor, the setting inside and old garage with hubcaps and car logos on the walls has very rustic, old-school burger joint feel.

However, you can tell it was built inside an old gas station with its small dining room that holds a handful of tables. Because of the busy evening, customers were asked to wait ten minutes before being assigned a seat. I doubt it will be that busy moving forward, but unless they plan on adding outdoor seating, I’m curious whether they will be able to accommodate the lunch hour rush.

The only major complaint I have (or rather, minor complaint) are the condiments. As a typical burger joint, each table offers the standard salt and pepper shakers with ketchup and mustard. The only thing missing was a small bottle of hot sauce (like tabasco). This is just me, but I prefer having the option to spice up my meal. At the very least, I was able to order an extra side of Brake Sauce, which is nice.

Overall, Brake Burger Garage certainly makes me want to slam on the brakes next time I pass by in Lake Wales. The selection may be slim for now, but what little they have packs real old-fashioned burger joint flavor. You’ll certainly want to put the pedal to the metal and head over there to give it a chance.

Now, if you excuse me, I have four extra pounds to re-lose and a resolution to unbreak.

Brake Burger Garage is located along 206 E. State Rd 60, Lake Wales, FL 33853. For more info, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076151152963

EV Chargers, Microgrids Discussed at Duke Energy Franchise Agreement Reading for Lake Wales

Staff Reporter
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by James Coulter

The possibility of electric vehicle chargers and microgrids coming to Downtown Lake Wales was discussed by Lake Wales City Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday evening.

Commissioners voted unanimously on the approval of the first reading of a new franchise agreement with Duke Energy. The agreement will allow the electric company to continue using the city’s right-of-way for the continued operation of its electric utility infrastructure.

Duke Energy approached the city for a new agreement as its former 30-year-agreement had expired, the ordinance memo explained. The franchise agreement will allow Duke Energy to operate within the same boundaries as the city limits, and thus will be able to expand or contract its services along with those limits, the memo states.

Approximately $1.6 million in revenue for the city’s general fund is estimated to be generated through this new franchise agreement. Also, the possibility of renewable energy options from providers other than Duke Energy was presented through this new agreement, as, according to the memo, it “provides for the use of the City’s rights-of-way for the purpose of construction or installation of solar-generating facilities by [other] entities.”

“Understanding that innovations in energy-generating technology may arise in the future, DE has agreed to a 10- year agreement term that will be renegotiated in a much shorter timeline than the previous Franchise Agreement,” the memo states.

Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson discussed the possibility of renewable energy, both provided through Duke Energy and other providers. He mentioned how the company will have exclusive rights to provide electric power, and how other companies have done things through such exclusive rights.

For example, he floated the possibility of installing electric vehicle chargers in Downtown Lake Wales. These installations would help facilitate the vision of Lake Wales Connected, an $18.5 million project to revitalize and redevelop the downtown and northeast city districts.

“We want to do everything we can to make this place a destination, [to] come, enjoy, spend money, and leave,” he said. “One way to do that is to have electric vehicle charging stations. Those are utilized with people with disposable income, which is what this [project] is designed to attract.”

Gibson mentioned how Duke Energy had implemented programs in other cities to help install EV chargers. One such program was the Park and Plug pilot program, which has helped install more than 600 stations throughout the state of Florida, including the city of St. Petersburg, according to the company website.

“This large EV network promotes cleaner energy and improves access to EV charging for everyone,” the website states. “Park & Plug chargers also collect data on EV charging behaviors

and analyze the effects EVs have on the grid. This insight will help determine the best way to further expand EV charging.”

Gibson inquired about implementing such a program for Lake Wales, and asked if it were possible to add a provision for it within the franchise agreement.

Kris Tietig, a Duke Energy representative, answered that, while such a provision could not be added to the franchise agreement, the city would be eligible for such a program. In fact, Duke Energy could potentially incorporate other programs to install fast-charging stations and even provide rebates.

Another idea floated during the discussion was microgrids, which are local grids that are capable of disconnecting from traditional electric grids and operating autonomously as their own isolated utility.

Gibson asked if a test program for a microgrid were possible if the city were to provide its own land. Tietig replied that an engineering analysis could be implemented and that a pilot program was possible.

City Commissioner Terry Howell moved to approve the ordinance, and her motion was seconded. The city commission voted unanimously to approve with a 3-0 vote.

Uncle Bucky’s Southern BBQ Wins Inaugural Blues, Brews, and BBQ in Bartow

Jody
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Uncle Bucky’s Southern BBQ Wins Inaugural Blues, Brews, and BBQ in Bartow

by James Coulter

What makes a perfect barbecue? Some people owe their success to their dry rub. Others, to the way they smoke the meat. For Eli Buford, owner of Uncle Bucky’s Southern BBQ, the success behind his award-winning barbecue is the love put into preparing and cooking it.

“I take pride in everything that I do,” Buford explained. “I cook the old school way versus the modern way. So, I take my time to season it, cook it with love, rub it with love, to make sure it is a good product every time you taste it.”

Buford won first place in the rib competition at the inaugural Brews, Blues, & BBQ, hosted in Downtown Bartow last Saturday. The competition was among five other food trucks and vendors parked outside Front Page Brewery, which assisted with the event alongside the main host, Main Street Bartow.

Buford has been barbecuing for two years. Originally, he started with a tent and a table alongside the road before upgrading to his current food truck. Often, he would be invited to park it in front of Front Page Brewery in Bartow. For that reason, he was invited to attend this inaugural event.

Blues, Brews, and BBQ was the first barbecue event Buford ever attended, as well as the very first barbecue award he had ever won. So being able to attend such a momentous event proved to be quite the honorary milestone for him.

“[Front Page Brewery] told me they love my barbecue and thought it would be a great opportunity for me,” he said. “It was a nice event…the community came out with great support, great atmosphere, the music is good, drinks are good, food is good, everything is good. And most of it is due to God for everything, and just the blessing he blessed us with. [It’s] another day to live, and another moment to share with family and friends is awesome.”

Hosted by Main Street Bartow, Blues, Brews, and BBQ is the inaugural hometown barbecue competition for Bartow. This year’s kickoff event showcased five barbecue teams that congregated along Summerlin Avenue and South Florida Avenue outside of Front Page Brewery.

Along with Uncle Bucky’s BBQ, the other teams included Bad Dob BBQ, Legacy Craft Barbecue, PJ’s Barbecue, and the Cultivated Pig. The event also showcased several dozen arts and craft vendors and hosted musical acts performed by local country, blues, and clogging groups.

Johnnie Levin, owner of Front Page Brewery appreciates when her business participates in community events like this. As for the inaugural event, she claimed: “We are amazed at how phenomenal it turned out, especially for a first-time event.”

Linda Holcomb, Executive Director of Main Street Bartow, wanted to start a hometown barbecue festival like the ones hosted in other cities in Polk County. Despite the cold weather

that morning, which she feared would keep attendees away, the overall turnout more than exceeded her expectations. She owes its success to the great barbecue prepared that day.

“It is pretty good,” she said. “For a first-time event, we had an awesome crowd out here, and the music has been wonderful. This is the first annual, so expect the second annual to be bigger and better.”

Haines City Pastors Give Praise in the Park for MLK Week

Jody
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Haines City Pastors Give Praise in the Park for MLK Week

by James Coulter

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who believed in changing hearts and minds. Where he saw adversity, he saw the opportunity to overcome it; and as a reverend, he often prayed to God for spiritual guidance.

So, it only seemed fitting that Anthony Baker, Pastor of Faith Kingdom Church, spoke a prayer for repentance, asking God to help change the hearts and minds of the Haines City community moving forward into the following week commemorating MLK’s legacy.

He prayed that God would grant the power to open doors, opportunities, and career paths for people, that they have hope and optimism during these bleak times, and that they can tell their families, children, and community that there is hope.

“We go through tests and trials, not to make us bitter, but make us better,” he said. “Lord, repent us from a mind that says we can’t and to that, we can say we can.”

Baker was one of 12 local pastors who helped pray over the Haines City community during Praise in the Park, the opening event for the week of city events commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr.

Praise in the Park was hosted in Lake Eva Park in Downtown Haines City at 3 PM. The program included inspirational devotionals hosted by pastors from local churches, as well as musical performances by St. Mary’s Choir.

Each pastor appeared on stage at the podium to pray over different aspects of the city, from its government officials and leaders to its schools, families, and children. They prayed for repentance, forgiveness, wisdom, and love.

Pastor Jarvis Marshall of Spirit Life Ministries prayed that the community and city leaders have the wisdom to lead and represent the best interests of their constituents. He prayed for God to anoint every leader and grant them divine wisdom in their decision-making.

“[Lord, I pray] that they can come together as one vision to progress this community…that when they come together and reason, that they can walk together in power,” he said.

Pastor Webb of New Beulah Baptist requested that God grants forgiveness to those who ask, for he knows that many people in the community have not been the best person that they could be. As such, he asked that people have the power to improve themselves.

“We are thankful you look beyond our faults and see our needs, for we needed a savior,” he said. “We ask that you have a heart [and have us] continue to do what you have asked us to do…[and]

let us not be so quick to withhold forgiveness from others. Help us to show that same love and mercy to others.”

Praise in the Park was the opening event for “Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Unity Week,” a week of events honoring MLK Jr. hosted by the City of Haines City in conjunction with Haines City Northeast Revitalization Group. The other events range from painting projects to a scholarship breakfast and all conclude with the big parade and festival on Saturday.

Event Coordinator Peaches Brown commended the event for its significant turnout and for opening their week the way Rev. Martin Luther King would have opened it: by calling on the name of God and asking for his divine guidance.

“I thought it was a great success,” she said. “[I hope] that God answers these prays and that we will find ourselves in a better place, especially with prayers for our children, for healing, and our community. I hope that God answers these prayers…and we are going to see it. This is a good start…it has to start with God. We have to acknowledge God first.”

2023 Central Florida Comic Con Morphs Up For Power Ranger-Centric Year

Allison
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2023 Central Florida Comic Con Morphs Up For Power Ranger-Centric Year

2023 Central Florida Comic Con Morphs Up For Power Ranger-Centric Year

by James Coulter

“Go, Go Power Rangers!” to Lakeland this weekend for a real “morphin time” at Central Florida Comic Con. This year’s event, hosted at the RP Funding Center, will include not one but three Power Rangers: Steve Cardenas, Nakia Burrise, and Jason Faunt.

These three actors will be one of the 22 guests in attendance to meet fans, take photos and autographs, and speak about their experiences performing their roles on the Power Rangerstelevision show.

Furthermore, this year’s Central Florida Comic Con will also be hosted in dedication to the memory of Jason David Frank, the original green and white ranger who tragically passed away last year. As its website states: “We want everyone to remember the love and support that JDF poured into the fan community.”

Power Rangers will be one of the many popular franchises represented at Lakeland’s annual two-day comic book convention. Fans, geeks, and nerds alike will be able to gather to celebrate their love of their favorite comic book, movie, television, and video game franchises with cosplay, vendors, and special guest stars.

Aside from three Power Rangers, this year’s attendees will also be able to meet Vincent Martella and David Errigo, Jr., the voice actors of Phineas and Ferb from the hit Disney Channel animated series, Phineas and Ferb.

On Saturday only, attendees will be able to meet and greet comic creators Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn, Supergirl) and Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn, Painkiller Jane).

Other special guests during the weekend include:

X-Pac (2x WWE Hall of Famer)

Sonny Strait (Voice actor for Dragon Ball, One Piece, & Fullmetal Alchemist)

David Matranga (Voice actor for My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Angel Beats, & Fairy Tail)

George Lowe (Voice actor Space Ghost, The Brak Show)

For the full guest list, visit: https://www.centralfloridacomiccon.com/guests

For nearly a decade, Central Florida Comic Con has been Lakeland’s premier comic convention. Ben Penrod, the promoter of CFCC, started the event utilizing his experience of attending and hosting other conventions in the past. He wanted to bring his own convention to Central Florida, and it has grown immensely ever since.

“This year’s CFCC is going to be our fifth event, and we wanted to make sure that it would be the biggest edition yet,” Penrod said. “We’ve expanded to two huge rooms of exhibitors, artists, and celebs, and we’ve also added more panels than ever before! The fans in Central Florida have really taken to this event and we’re just giving that energy back to the fans. They keep asking for more and we just keep growing the show!”

He owes its success to the event being hosted as a big town event in a small-town environment. Admission is also ensured to be affordable for everyone, especially families, which helps draw in a good crowd, he said.

“We are really lucky to have some amazing fans who have supported us every year, and told their friends and brought their friends in,” he said. “We work really hard to make sure our con is super fun and that we deliver above expectations.”

Central Florida Comic Con 2023 will be hosted on Sat., Jan. 21, and Sun., Jan. 22 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the RP Funding Center, located at 701 W Lime St. Lakeland, FL 33815. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.centralfloridacomiccon.com/

Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches $18.5 Million Redevelopment for Downtown Lake Wales

Staff Reporter
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Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches $18.5 Million Redevelopment for Downtown Lake Wales

by James Coulter

In 1985, Robin Gibson remembers when the Lake Wales community redevelopment agency (CRA) was founded. Unfortunately, since its inception, the CRA was underutilized by the city, who, Gibson claimed, “ignored it, misused it, and accomplished no redevelopment.”

When he ran for city commissioner, he discovered that many of the commissioners felt the CRA was not being utilized properly, and from there on out, they decided to make better use of it to improve their local community.

Nearly 40 years since the CRA’s inception, Gibson, who now serves as a Lake Wales city commissioner and as CRA Chairman, has seen its initial vision come to fruition with a real plan to redevelop Downtown Lake Wales.

He made that vision official by signing a bond resolution for an $18.5 million project to revamp the downtown area with new pavement, streetscaping, and more space for pedestrians and city events.

He signed the document in front of a crowd seated outside The Ranch Taproom & Coffeehouse along Park Avenue during a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Main Street Lake Wales on Thursday evening.

“Onward and upward,” he exclaimed after signing the resolution. “Let’s get to work.”

The $18.5 million for the construction project will come from city and county money, with the county covering most of the payment, Gibson explained: “We have city commissioners who are careful with public finances.”

The project will revamp the downtown area near and around Park Avenue with new brick pavement, special benches with oak-insignias, streetscaping, and overall wider space for pedestrians and city events. This construction is expected to start in February and be completed by next fall.

This redevelopment is part of a larger downtown revitalization plan adopted by the City of Lake Wales. “Lake Wales Connected,” true to its name, seeks to revitalize both the downtown and northeast district as to beautify the city as a whole.

According to Chastain-Skillman, an organization commissioned to develop the plan, Lake Wales Connected will “provide civil engineering design for improvements to Park Avenue from Scenic Highway to Westmore Street.”

These improvements, according to the website, will include converting the “one-way street with angled parking to a two-way street with wider parking,” as well as wider sidewalks and additional landscaping such as trees, planter, and rain gardens.

Lake Wales Connected officially started last Thursday with a special groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Lake Wales Main Street. The event was attended by city officials and citizens alike, and local businesses celebrated the occasion by remaining open after hours. The ceremony concluded with a show-stopping dance number to Footloose as performed by a local dance group.

Karen Thompson, Executive Director of Lake Wales Main Street, commended their board of directors for the effort to making this vision a reality: “It is their hard work and dedication of five years that got us here to this moment in time, to this moment in history. They have been here with us through this every step of the way.”

James Slaton, Lake Wales City Manager, boasted about how this groundbreaking ceremony will be remembered by everyone involved as a historic day. He commended the city and public officials for giving their all towards this project.

“We have a unique downtown that is by far superior to what our neighbors have,” he explained. “All your businesses are thriving, and the visitors are coming down to Lake Wales to see what we have done…There will be a point in time when this will be a case study for other communities on how to redevelop. I promise you that.”

Rusty Ingley, Past President of Lake Wales Main Street, commended the most important people for making the vision behind Lake Wales Connected a reality: the residents who live in the city.

Through community workshops and meetings, the local community has provided their input for what they want to see their city improve, and their suggestions were implemented into the plan.

“The success of this project comes from the fact that the community was involved every step of the way,” he said “We were exclusively inclusive.”

To learn more about Lake Wales Connected, visit their website at: https://www.lakewalesfl.gov/919/Lake-Wales-Connected-Plan

Mother, 2 Children 8 & 10 Years Old Critically Injured In Lakeland Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Crash

Carl Fish
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Mother, 2 Children 8 & 10 Years Old Critically Injured In Lakeland Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Crash

On Sunday, January 15, 2023, at approximately 8:55 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near Socrum Loop Road and Fernery Road in Lakeland. Preliminary evidence shows that just prior to the crash, a 1996 Ford Explorer was traveling southbound on Socrum Loop Road, approaching the area of Fernery Road, when three pedestrians, an adult female and two children, darted into the roadway directly in the path of the SUV. The driver applied the brakes and attempted to avoid the pedestrians but was unsuccessful and struck all three.

The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on scene and began providing life-saving measures. Both children were transported to Tampa General Hospital via helicopter, and the adult was transported to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment. All appeared to have critical injuries at the time of transport. As of this morning, no additional updates have been received on their conditions. The driver of the Ford suffered no apparent injuries.

Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately three hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. Neither speed nor impairment appears to be a factor in this crash.

This remains an open investigation. If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at [email protected]. 

The SUV operator was identified as:

Jimmy Kasapis 

Age 20

Lakeland, FL

The pedestrians were identified as:

Catherine DeClaire (mother)

Age 36

Ruskin, FL

Child one

Age 10

Ruskin, FL

Child two

Age 8

Ruskin, FL

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