Bartow City Commission proclamations: Lady Jackets volleyball, Rotary, Halloween parade and Home Rule Heroes among 10 Oct. 19 honors
It was a lengthy Bartow City Commission regular agenda meeting on Oct. 19, one that didn’t conclude until shortly past 9 p.m. Contributing to that hours-long session were a total of 10 presentations and proclamations that took approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Although it was eighth scheduled for recognition, a proclamation recognizing Oct. 21 as Lady Jackets Girls Volleyball Team Championship Day was moved to the top of the list. The 14 players and three coaches were cited for having bested the Lakeland High School Dreadnaughts on Oct. 15 to capture the 5A District 8 Championship. It was also an opportunity for commissioners, staff, and those in the audience to applaud and to root the team on as it vies to win in the regional quarterfinal round to be played in Bartow starting at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
That was followed by a presentation of the Bible that was read from in the Bartow Reads the Bible event that took place Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 at Fort Blount Park. This was followed by a presentation to Assistant City Clerk Kaylee Fussell, who recently earned a prestigious designation: Certified Municipal Clerk.
Then came the other proclamations.
Proclamation recognizing Oct. 26 to 30, 2026, as Just Say No and Red Ribbon Week, accepted by the Bartow Rotary and the Just Say No Committee members.
When invited to speak, Bartow Rotary President Wayne Harrison gave a brief background about Just Say No.
It began, he said, with Ernie Cooper, and it led to an annual parade by fifth-grade students from various schools. It was halted as a result of COVID-19, and the program languished. This year it is being revived, albeit without a parade. It will take place Nov. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Center and will feature activities as well as guest speakers.
Proclamation recognizing Oct. 24 as World Polio Day, also accepted by the Bartow Rotary
As read by City Attorney Sean Parker, the Rotary Club organization launched PolioPlus in 1985. It then helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. As a result, polio cases have dropped 99.9%, and Rotary has contributed more than $2.9 billion and countless hours.
When called upon to speak again on behalf of the Bartow Rotary, Harrison added that of all the nations involved, only Pakistan and Afghanistan remained, mostly because of remote terrain, tribal customs, and unrest.
Proclamation recognizing Oct. 29 as Bartow Community Parade and Carnival Day (the annual Halloween parade), accepted by several participating civic clubs
The parade and carnival began in 1942 and was formerly the project of the Crickette Club. As its popularity grew, other community organizations joined the Crickette Club, as well as other entities, including the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, both the police and fire departments, and others.
Filling in for Committee Chairperson Jennifer Hall of the Crickette Club, Anita Stasiak of the Rotary Club of Bartow accepted the proclamation.
Proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Florida Greenways and Trails Month, accepted by Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer
“Bartow was very fortunate to have the opportunity of a trail come through it,” Pfeiffer said. She mentioned there already is the seven-mile Fort Fraser Trail, and that the city is slated to be connected to a 200-mile trail that starts in Everglades City and comes up to North Lakeland.
That wasn’t all in the works. She briefly touched upon the ongoing construction of the overpass that will enable people to cross over that portion of State Road 60/U.S. 98 known as Van Fleet Drive.
“We’ve already applied to become a trail city. Right now, in Polk County, only Winter Haven has that designation. But we will be seeking that as soon as the bridge is done next year.”
Proclamation recognizing October 2026 as National Community Planning Month, accepted by Planning Director Joshua Cheney and Assistant Planning Director Charlette Rodriguez
That wasn’t all in the works. She briefly touched upon the ongoing construction of the overpass that will enable people to cross over that portion of State Road 60/U.S. 98 known as Van Fleet Drive.
“We’ve already applied to become a trail city. Right now, in Polk County, only Winter Haven has that designation. But we will be seeking that as soon as the bridge is done next year.”
Proclamation recognizing October 2026 as National Community Planning Month, accepted by Planning Director Joshua Cheney and Assistant Planning Director Charlette Rodriguez
In accepting the proclamation, Cheney underscored its importance.
“Planning is essential for helping a growing community make thoughtful long-term decisions,” is part of what Cheney said. Further, planning allows a city to guide growth in an orderly and efficient way rather than reacting to development pressures. “Planning is also important because it helps create places where people want to live, work and spend time.”
Presentation of the 2026 Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Award to City Manager Mike Herr and Commissioners Trish Pfeiffer and Leo E. Longworth
Called down from the dais to the floor to accept the award, Pfeiffer spoke on behalf of the three of them. The Florida League of Cities advocates for municipalities during the legislative session in Tallahassee, as well as throughout the year. This includes trainings, conferences, legislative days at the state Capitol and policy meetings, among other activities. Locally, during the time the Legislature meets, some bills can be challenging for Bartow, said Pfeiffer, hence the award from the Florida League of Cities.
“They recognize people via their time and effort with the Home Rule Award,” she concluded.
In another piece of business before commissioners tackled other matters on the agenda, it was announced that the October 2026 Beautification Awards went to Joseph and Ariel Forker in the residential category and Tom’s Chicken Shack in the commercial category.
Steve Steiner can be reached at [email protected].
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Bartow Community Parade and Carnival? The city proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, as Bartow Community Parade and Carnival Day. The event began in 1942.
When is the Bartow Just Say No rally? The Just Say No Committee rally for fifth graders is Nov. 5, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Center.
Who received the 2026 Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Awards in Bartow? City Manager Mike Herr, Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer, and Commissioner Leo E. Longworth.
Who won Bartow’s October 2026 Beautification Awards? Joseph and Ariel Forker in the residential category and Tom’s Chicken Shack in the commercial category.
Sources: City of Bartow City Commission Regular Meeting agenda, Oct. 19, 2026, Item 4, Proclamations and Special Presentations, a through j; City of Bartow City Commission meeting video transcript, Oct. 19, 2026; Florida Department of Transportation, Project 440272-1, Fort Fraser Trail Over SR 60
