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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 01 01 History of the City of Winter Springs. .r ;r •~'. ' ~~~ ~- HISTORY OF THE CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS Often referred to by the news media as the "sleeping giant" because of its land size, Winter Springs can trace its history back to the sixteen hundreds. The tract of land now known as Winter Springs was historically designated the Levy Grant when it was deeded in 1611 to Moses B. Levy by the King of Spain for supplying horsefeed for the king's cavalry in the war fought over the Florida penninsula. Messers Moss and Edgemon From that time till 1956, the land lay dormant, a placid area of scrub pines, palmetto trees, and swamps, until Raymond Moss and William Edgemon surveyed the tract for its financial potential. Moss and Edgemon purchased the land under the name of North Orlando Company in the year 1957. The North Orlando Company was a subsidiary of the Silver Creek Precision Company, Silver Creek, New York. Village of North Orlando The first residents, some 300 in all, moved into homes in 1959. The area was incorporated that same year by the Florida Legislature, as the Village of North Orlando. The chief reason for the incorporation originally was to benefit the developers as their instrument for establishing their own ordinances and regulations. The North Orlando Company also developed water and sewer utilities at that time. First Mayor Truly a "company town", even the political scene was controlled by the North Orlando Company for some years. From 1959 thru 1961, the Company appointed the five council members'. By secret ballot, those five members selected a Mayor. The Village`s first Mayor was Roy Liddieott. It wasn't until 1962 that the villagers had an opportunity to selecfi members of council who would represent their needs. In 1952, Robert Stephenson and Woody Anderson were elected by the people, to seats on council. However, the majority vote, the three other council seats,were still appointed by the. Company. The following year, and for several years thereafter, a full council was elected by the people, but the Mayor was still being selected by secret ballot from the .five councilmen. First Elected Mayor In 196b, by a Referendum Charter change, it was decided to have a Mayor who was elected by the people. The Village's first "people's Mayor" was George Fuller. First Store and City Hall The year 1970 marked the beginning of the Village's most dramatic changes. North -?." Orlando contained at that time, 300 or so homes located on either side of State Road 434, an area of 1-5 acre lots known as the Ranchlands,- one store known appropriately :~~ as the North Orlando Super Market, and one building on State Road 434 owned by Florida _' Land Company, which housed the Water Company's office, offices for Florida Land ~ Company employees, and an office used by the Village as City Hall. ~i°' .6r ~ ~ . ` Folks who remember "back when", still talk of the cramped smoke-filled room that r served the Village as a City Hall, Building Department, Fire and Police Station, Public - Works, and Court. Many a night, if there was an important matter under discussion, all windows and doors in the room were opened so that the citizens who could not fit into the small room, could stand outside and see and hear the proceedings! Rapid Growth/Tuscawilla From 1971 through the next few years, progress really took an upswing. Building boomed with Meadowlark, the Terraces, Hacienda Mobile Home Park, and other areas of construction taking shape. During that same period, the area now known as Tuscawilla, was annexed into the City, thereby almost doubling the City's land area, making it the largest land area in Seminole County. Jack's Mini Market at Five Points asked to be annexed into the City. Construction began on the Sheoah Golf Course, the Condominiums, the Highlands, and other areas of the City. The political scene was not being neglected during. this time. Fed up with a charter that was designed to aid the developers rather than the citizens, both new and old residents banned together in an inspiring community effort to make some changes. North Orlando Became Winter Springs A new city charter was drawn up, and in a city-wide election held the new charter was adopted, new city officials were elected, and most the Village of North Orlando became the City of Winter Springs. First Mayor of Winter Springs in March of 1972, importantly, At the helm of the City during that transition period, was Mayor Granville Brown. Successfully winning a bid for re-election at the Special March Election, Brown became the last Mayor of the Village of North Orlando, and the first Mayor of Winter Springs (1971-1973). According to the new Charter, that first election designated that five Council Seats would be open, the Seats to be called Seat 1-2-3-4- and S. The candidates seeking election to the odd numbered seats, would be elected for a two year term, and the candidates for the even numbered seats and the Mayor's seat would be for a one year term. All elections held thereafter would be for a two year term. The Charter also specified that future elections shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in the month of December of each year. (This has since been changed to the month of November). Successful candidates shall take office on the first Monday after the first day of January following their election. (This has since been changed to the month of December). First Church Building, which generally constitutes progress, peaked during the year 1973, permits issued for 300 homes and 17 mobile home sites. The City received its first church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, located on Moss Road, and construction wa going on everywhere. 2 aa• ': `: 4 , with .r? -s n• 1' ~ r Te.~ephone Tolls In 1973 there was a heated controversy over toll call charges to residents ~ serviced by Southern Bell Telephone Company to the Orlando area. Most of the new home owners were under the impression at the time of purchase, that they could call Orlando. When they found that this was not possible, they appealed to their Council for help, as this fact would create a financial hardship. Council Action The Council responded by passing a resolution to appeal to the Public Service Commission to force Southern Bell to allow toll free calls to the Orlando areas. Southern Bell came before the Council to request a 90 day extension to allow them time to research the feasibility of this proposal. They explained that ten or so years ago, the City had been given a choice between toll free service to either Sanford or Orlando. Since at that time, most residents were stationed at the Sanford Naval Air Station, or did business in that City, the residents chose Sanford. Council explained to Southern Bell that this situation no longer was true; that the majority of the new residents had moved from, or did business in the Orlando area, and needed toll free service to that vicinity. After ninety days, Southern Bell came before the Council and agreed to the proposal. In February of 1976, toll free service to Orlando became a fact! First School By 1974, building decreased rapidly. Winter Springs as well as the rest of the nation found itself in the grips of an energy crisis, soaring inflation, and other related problems. Despite this fact, that year saw construction begin on the City's first school, Winter Springs Elementary, the City's first Fire Station/interim City Hall, and a second church, the Redeemer Moravian, located in the Tuscawilla area. First Property Tax The year 1974 also marked the introduction of the City's first ad valorem (property) tax, set at 3.5 mills. In 1975 the County reassessed house valuations, and that figure was cut back to 2.43 mills, but the City still received the same amount o€ revenue. Building permits for residential areas hit a low in the year 1975 with only 57 home and 13 mobile home permits issued. Major projects, e.g. water treatment plants, club houses, etc., managed to keep revenue at a reasonable level. A second fire station was donated by Gulf Stream Land Development Corporation, located on Northern Way in the Tuscawilla area. In October, 1978, the Police Department moved into the Fire Station on Moss Road, and the City Hall offices were moved into the Community Center on North Edgemon Avenue. No history would be complete without mentioning the City's Police and Fire Departments. Their history is as colorful and controversial as the City's. Fire Department The Fire Department was started in 1960, but only lasted a few months. In 1962, under the direction of Fire Chief Bill Hahn, the City finally had its first real department. At that time, the City assumed all management costs. This situation continued until 1963, when due to politics, the Fire Department broke away from the. City and became a Volunteer Department entirely on its own without any financial 3 ,~;.• ':, t-~, i~r. ,. ~,,. i*_„. •.• ~~. r' ~ ,~;ssistance from the City. . IC wasn't until 1974 when an ordinance was passed creating; a City managed Fire ~_ Depar.tment, that this situation was resolved. At that time, Charles Holzma~n~~ was . appointed the first Fire Chief of the City of Winter Springs. Police Department The history of the Police Department shows a total of thirteen Police Chiefs, most of whom were part time and unpaid. According to City records, the first patrolmen who were appointed by the Nortlt Orlando Company, worked a full time job and then patrolled the City. Throughout the first ten or so years of the Department, various citizens joined the Department as unpaid reserves. Arthur Devoe seems to be the first paid Police Chief for the grand sum of $200 per month. Records indicate that he didn't work full time. That was in the year 1965. The City didn't have a full time fully paid police chief until the year 1971 when Walter Bachelor. became Police Chief at a salary of $6,000. Bachelor was Police Chief from 1971 - 1972, making him the City of Winter Springs' first Chief. He h<zd two patrolmen at that time, and one vehicle. John Govoruhk has been Police Chief since 1974. In the early seventies, a trailer was purchased and placed on State Road 434 near Hacienda Village. When the Fire Station was opened, the trailer was moved to that site. A communications center and the Chief's office were located in that building. (In 1979 the trailer was sold due to its need for repairs, and the entire Department was housed in the Fire Station). Appointed City Manager In April of 1979 Richard Rozansky was appointed Che first City Manager. This was a major change in the operations of the City. r` Charter Changes Voted In 1981 a Charter Revision Committee was appointed. They made many recommendations to the City Council. Council accepted some of the recommendations and rejected others. An ordinance was drawn up, voted on by the citizens, and was passed. The Council was then changed to Commission, and the terms were changed to three years instead of two. In 1982 Troy Piland resigned as Mayor. He had been Mayor since 1974. He resigned to run for Florida House of Representatives. John V. Torcaso was elected Mayor of Winter Springs in the November election. On August 22, 1984, Mayor John V. Torcaso signed the Agreement to purchase the North Orlando Water and Sewer Corporation. Municipal Complex Groundbreaking for the Municipal Complex was held on Friday, November 30, 1984 at 11:00 A.M.. The employees moved into the new complex on September 9, 1985. The opening festivities for Mayors and officials was held on September 20, 1985, and for the general public, on September 21, 1985. Civic Center •^ Renovations were made on the old City Hall on North Edgemon Avenue, to convert the building into the Winter Springs Civic Center. The Grand Opening was held on ~., February 21, 1986. 4 ~ ~ .. • - _• E3rst Woman Mayor Ate the November 3, 1987 election, John V. Torcaso was defeated by Leanne Grove in • tt~i~s bid for re-election. Leanne Groveis the first elected woman Mayor in the City of Winter Springs. ~ Super Park Early in 1989, fifty-four acres were purchased for a "super park" located near Wagner's Curve on Route 434 to enable the City to accelerate its recreation programs to meet the City's growth. Second Utility: On April 26, 1990 the City closed on the purchase of Seminole Utility Company, the Utility which serviced the Tuscawilla area, for $10,500,000 for the Utility, $1.5 million for a sprayfield owned by the Housing Corp. and $300,000 in various professional fees. Senior Center: The groundbreaking for the addition to the Senior Center was held on Wednesday, June 30, 1990 at 11:30 a.m. Super Park Commission authorized Phase I of Construction Drawings on Oct. 15, 1990. Mr. Bob Raider, Senior Building Inspector retired. Service was from Sept. 18, 1978 to Dec. 19, 1990. Senior Center: the dedication and ribbon cutting of the new Senior Center was held on Saturday, Feb. 2, 1991. Super Park On Jan. 14, 1991 prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners of "Name the Park Contest". Michael Cunningham, first place winner, named the park "Central Winds Park." Groundbreaking for the construction of the park was held on August 14, 1991. Groundbreaking for the construction of the Tuscawilla Middle School (Indian Trails} was held on Wednesday, October 9, 1991. December 1991 Fire Chief Holzman retired. He was hired in December 1973 and was the City's first fire chief. Tim Lallathin was appointed new Fire Chief. First Police officer to retire: Lt. Wesley Dowell, Community Relations officer; service-5-1-76 to 12-14-91. Lead Wastewater Plant Operator James McCracken retired March 25, 1992. Worked for Seminole Utilities since 2-22-77 and transferred to Winter Springs 4-27-90. January-l3, 1992 Commission authorized City Manager to proceed with the addition to Fire Station No. One on Moss Road. Fire Department Union formed 1992. City Planner/Director of Administrative Services, was terminated Feb. 21, 1992. She was hired May 7, 1979. Dedication Ceremonies for the Central Winds Park were held Saturday Dec. 5, 1992 at 10:00 a.m. ;x ,~ ... ~~ On Feb. 8, 1993, motion was made by Commissioner Kaehler to terminate Richard Rozansky as City Manager. Seconded by Commissioner Langellotti. Police Chief John Govoruhk was appointed Acting City Manager. Charles Sexton was appointed Acting Police Chief. On Sept. 13, 1993, John Govoruhk was appointed City Manager of the City of Winter Springs. June 25, 1994 the City Celebrated its 35th Anniversary with a celebration at City Hall. July 14, 1994 the groundbreaking for the new Winter Springs High School was held at 8:00 a.m. k.~