Aug. 12th meeting of the Dade City City Commissioners
A historic event occurred during the Aug. 12 meeting of the Dade City City Commissioners when Acting City Manager Marieke vanErven administered the oath of office to Maxine Ann Starling as Dade City’s new Chief of Police.
Miss vanErven said before swearing Starling in that the City’s first female Police Chief had been known previously for integrity, strong leadership, and building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community that she serves. Starling had a 21-year law enforcement career with the Largo Police Department (LPD) before becoming Chief of the Dade City Police Department (DCPD). She had previously served as Deputy Chief at LPD.
Starling, who is a Florida native, has earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Law Enforcement Administration from the University of South Florida.
“It’s an incredible honor to be sworn in as Chief of Police,” Starling said, adding it was also a great honor to become the first woman to hold that position. “To the officers of DCPD I am proud to stand beside you and to lead with integrity, transparency, and purpose,” she said.
Chief Starling then expressed her heartfelt thanks to Margaret Angel for having been the first female member of DCPD several years ago. “I just want you to know that it’s an honor to follow in your footsteps,” she told Angel. The two women then briefly embraced in front of the crowd of more than 100 people who had gathered to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
In other business, the Commissioners awarded a bid to Ryman Construction of Florida, Inc. for a new facility to house the City’s Building Department and Community and Economic Development Department. Ryman, based in Zephyrhills, has completed several additional construction projects in Dade City. Plans call for the new structure to be constructed at the site of the former DCPD building located at 38052 Pasco Ave. This is across the street from the backside of City Hall and the DCPD. The former DCPD building will be demolished and the site cleared before construction of the new building for those two City departments. The proposed 4,500 square foot building (plus or minus) will be located toward the eastern portion of the site, adjacent to the existing storm water detention area, according to the bid document.
Commissioners also discussed but didn’t vote on a resolution outlining requirements for citizens to be members of the Dade City Historic Board.
PHOTOS Courtesy of Joe Potter.
Chief Stanley, fourth from right, is shown with City Commissioners James "Jim" Shive and Kristin Church, Mayor Scott Black, Commissioner Ann Cosentino and Mayor ProTemNormita L. "Angel" Woodard.
