Three candidates vying for the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na raised more than $36,000 for their community through fundraising efforts.
This is the most ever in the friendly but competitive contest that has been held since the mid-1950s, according to Linda Mitchell, chairwoman of the annual July 4th parade.
Rob Brooklyn succeeded in raising more money than the other two candidates and was named the 2024 Lutz Guv’na. He was presented a colorful sash and a “key to the town” during an inauguration ceremony at the Old Train Depot on Lutz Lake Fern Road following the parade.
Brooklyn has owned and operated Hardrock Landscape Services in Lutz since 1998.
The winner of the race is able to designate a specific charity in the community to receive 10% of the money they raised. Brooklyn designated the Learning Gate Community School in Lutz as the recipient of those funds.
The other two candidates for Lutz Guv’na were Joanna LaChance and Linda Mitchell — both retired educators.
LaChance is a former Exceptional Student Education (ESE) coordinator who worked for a combined 16 years in Palm Beach and Polk counties, before retiring. She and her husband own and operate the Lutz Pinch A Penny pool store at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41.
Mitchell was an eighth grade language arts teacher at Adams Middle School in Tampa for 25 years before retiring. She is currently the first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.
Paul Vahue, associate pastor for administration at First Baptist Church of Lutz, said the opening prayer at the patriotic event.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol conducted a flag ceremony, and Annabelle Depolis sang the National Anthem. Depolis finished in fifth place in the vocal category during the 41st annual Spotlight on Talent held earlier this year at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts.
Individuals marched in the parade, along with numerous floats. An estimated few hundred people looked on while enduring the sweltering hot weather.
Several prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the parade. The category winners were:
- Best Vehicle – Guv’na candidate Rob Brooklyn
- Bicycle – West Coast BMX
- Classic Car – Peyton Rose
- Commercial Entry – Mission BBQ
- Golf Cart Entry – The Citizens of the Old Lutz School House
- Most Patriotic – The Miss Susie Fire Truck
- Most Spirited – The Lutz Chiefs
- Themed Entry – Stark Farms
- Walking Unit – Lutz Family Church
- Youth Entry – Learning Gate Community School
- Judge’s Favorite – Elite Ink
- Grand Marshal’s Choice – First Baptist Church of Lutz
Prizes also were handed out to bakers who showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest. There were 43 entries in the contest, according to Barbara Booth, treasurer of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.
Categories winners in the contest were:
- Guv’na’s Choice – Melba Pineiro
- Adult Best Decorated – Heather Garry, first place; Sarah Robison, second place; and Laura Konga, third place.
- Adult Best Tasting – Kay Taylor, first; Jeannie Mills, second; and Jan King, third.
- Youth Best Decorated (11-18) – Jennings May
- Youth Best Decorated (10 and under) – Nicholas May, first; and Rylee and Dixon Kleme, second.
- Youth Best Tasting (11-18) – William Leahy
- Youth Best Tasting (10 and under) – Jake Kosior, first; Juniper Parker, second; and Colette Henderson, third.
- Most Patriotic (all ages) – Dee-dee Hancock, first; Gloria Russell, second; and Jennifer Rankin, third.
- Cupcakes Best Decorated (all ages) – Deborah Robison, first; Aribella Grande, second; and Abigail Rankin, third.
- Best Pie (All ages) – Katelyn Payne, first; Karin D’Amico, second; and Erin Kuma, third.
Activities preceding the parade included an early morning warmup with Jazzercise and a 1-mile fun run and 5K race with awards presented at the Old Train Depot.
Guests could also bid on baked treats at an auction in the air-conditioned comfort of the Lutz Community Center.
Published July 17, 2024
