Hannibal Square Heroine
Hannibal Square Heroine
Won’t Take No for an Answer
At the October 24 Commission Meeting, Winter Park learned (if it didn’t know already) that Martha Bryant Hall is a force to be reckoned with. Since early summer, Mrs. Hall has sought to have the home she shared with her late husband, the Reverend Jerry Hall, placed on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places.
First, City Staff Recommends in Favor
A Staff Report prepared by City Planning Manager Jeff Briggs for the July 13 meeting of the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) recommended in favor of listing the Hall house at 331 Lyman Avenue. Mrs. Hall’s application was based on the age of the home – 58 years – and the significant contributions to the community of Reverend Jerry Hall.
HPB Tables the Request
Reverend Jerry Hall Residence
The minutes of the HPB meeting show that Mrs. Hall’s application was “continued,” however, and would not be heard at the July 13 meeting.
What the Ordinance Said At the Time
At the time of Ms. Hall’s application, the Historic Preservation Ordinance, No. 3024-15, stated, “The eligibility of any potential historic landmark, resource or district shall be supported by meeting applicable (sic) criteria based upon the National Register of Historic Places guidelines criteria (sic) for evaluation at the local, state or national level.”
(1) A quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and associations; and
(2) At least one of the following:
i. That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history, or
ii. That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past, or . . . .
Five additional criteria follow which are not applicable in this case.
Then City Staff Recommends Against
Mrs. Hall’s request came to the HPB again on August 24, with a staff recommendation that the home at 331 Lyman Ave. not be placed on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places. The report, prepared by City Planning Director Dori Stone, stated the home had no architectural significance and that Reverend Hall had not been dead long enough.
“While Reverend Hall was an important figure to the community, he passed away in 2008,” Stone wrote in the report. “It is still too early to know how his legacy and contributions to the city, especially in the Hannibal Square area, will be determined.”
When Hannibal Square resident Mary Daniels rose to ask HPB members whether they knew of any document that stated a person had to be dead a certain length of time to be considered significant, she was told they did not.
Ordinance Was Under Review
The Historic Preservation ordinance was undergoing review at the time of the August meeting. It had been the widest plank in the campaign platform of Commissioner Peter Weldon, who had vowed to revise the ordinance if he were elected, which he was.
The minutes of the August 24 HPB meeting show that Ms. Stone stated: “. . .the initial staff report that Mrs. Hall received was a draft that did not properly cite the new historic preservation ordinance, and the final staff report was rewritten to cite the criteria of the new historic preservation ordinance.”
The HPB unanimously denied Mrs. Hall’s request for historic designation.
Perseverance Pays
On October 24, Mrs. Hall requested the City Commission reconsider her case and overturn HPB’s denial of her request for historic designation. Mrs. Hall and those who spoke on her behalf elicited a range of responses from the Mayor and Commissioners.
Sprinkel: “It’s the Merits of the Man, Not the House.”
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Cooper: “It’s a Great Day for Winter Park.”
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Weldon: “This Sets a Precedent that Will Be Difficult for Us.”
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Seidel: “I Just Want to Apologize That You’re Even Here.”
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Leary: “I Have Trouble Supporting This because of the Experts’ Opinions.”
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The Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve Mrs. Hall’s request to place the home at 331 W. Lyman Ave. on the Winter Park Register of Historic Places.
WP High Pays Tribute to Roger Trindade
WP High Pays Tribute to Roger Trindade
Part of Homecoming Celebration
A tribute to Winter Park High School student Roger Trindade, who died October 18, will take place at the Central Park main stage tomorrow, October 26, at 6:00 p.m.
The tribute is part of Winter Park High School’s Homecoming celebration, which will include a parade down Park Avenue from Webster to Lyman from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Side streets to Park Avenue will be closed during that hour for the passing of the parade.
Police Investigation Ongoing
The Winter Park Police Department investigation into Roger Trindade’s death continues. Police Chief Michael Deal told the Voice, “The Winter Park Police Department is committed to doing a thorough, unbiased investigation regarding the tragic death of Roger Trindade.
“Since day one, we have treated Roger’s death as a criminal investigation. As such, we have dedicated the significant amount of resources necessary to present a prosecutable case. As in all cases of criminal investigation, especially those involving juveniles, our investigation must proceed with care and discretion – and this may take some time.
“We are maintaining contact with Roger’s family and will continue to make the privacy and interests of the family a priority. We are aware and understand the safety concerns of our citizens to include parents and students, and we are committed to ensuring Park Avenue and all of our schools remain safe places.”
WPPD Updates Roger Trindade Case
WPPD Updates Roger Trindade Case
Suspects Identified – Investigation Continues
At 11:23 this morning, the City of Winter Park Police Department (WPPD) provided the following update regarding their investigation into the death of 15-year-old Winter Park High School student Roger Trindade.
What Happened
On October 15, 2016, at 9:48 pm, Winter Park Police Officers were dispatched to Central Park at the corner of Park Avenue and Morse Blvd. Police and Fire/Rescue personnel arrived on scene within two minutes. They arrived to find Roger Trindade unconscious. The suspects had already fled the scene. Roger Trindade bore no physical signs of injury and no physical evidence that would suggest he had been beaten.
Investigation Still Active
“This remains an active investigation,” stated Lieutenant Pam Marcum. “The Winter Park Police Department will continue to work directly with the Trindade family through the developments of this investigation.”
WPPD investigators have identified all of the individuals involved and are continuing their criminal investigation into what happened. Because those associated with this incident are juveniles, their identities cannot be released.
Park Ave. Patrols Upped
WPPD has increased patrols in and around Central Park.
Cause of Death Still Unknown
Exactly what caused the death of Roger Trindade is still not known. “Until we know what caused his death,” said Marcum, “we cannot make an accurate assessment of what criminal charges are appropriate.” The Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner is continuing to investigate the cause of death, and their investigation will take several weeks.
State, County Agencies Involved
Other agencies, including the Joint Homicide Investigation Team, the Medical Examiner and the State Attorney’s Office are assisting WPPD in their investigation. In criminal cases where juveniles are arrested, there is a very short window between the arrest and the prosecution. If a law enforcement agency makes a premature arrest, the prosecutor will not have the benefit of the Medical Examiner’s results or any potential forensic examinations at trial.
If You Have Information . . .
Lieutenant Marcum emphasized that the WPPD appreciates everyone who has provided a tip or information about this case. Even though police have identified all parties involved, she said, if you have any information regarding this case, you should contact WPPD at 407-644-1313 or Crime Line at 407-423-TIPS.
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