- April 19, 2024
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Heatwole honored for longtime service
Gary Heatwole, tennis coordinator for 35 years at the Ormond Beach Tennis Center, said some people have a career, some have a job, but he had a life.
“I blinked my eyes and 35 years went by,” he said. “It was a labor of love.”
In a proclamation honoring his service, Mayor Ed Kelley called Heatwole a “beloved tennis icon in the community.”
Heatwole, 64, was honored for his “decades of service to the community and lifelong achievement” at the Sept. 15 City Commission meeting.
Ironically, at the same meeting, the commission awarded the contract to manage the center, located at 38 E. Granada Blvd., to another company, Forehand Factory LLC, because the city and Heatwole could not agree to a new contract.
“I’ve been working six years without getting paid,” Heatwole said.
In 2008, a year of cost-cutting moves, the city decided to stop operating the center and have an outside company run it. Heatwole said the city had been supporting the center with $100,000 annually.
Heatwole’s position at the center as a city employee was eliminated. He had 30 years in as a city employee, so retired and took over management of the center.
For the contract that would begin Oct. 1, Heatwole asked the city to provide $35,000 per year, to help pay for staff salaries and maintenance. Under the current contract, the city pays for major repair items, but utilities, insurance, salaries, routine maintenance, etc., are expected to be taken from money received through fees at the center. Currently, Heatwole’s two assistants receive minimum wage.
Heatwole said he hasn’t earned enough money at the facility.
“We don’t work eight-hour days, we work 14-hour days,” he said. “We work for weeks and weeks without a day off. There a lot of little things you have to do. Tournaments take a lot of time. Whatever it took, we did.”
He said he earns Social Security, so wouldn’t want to earn more than $15,000 in a salary.
“Most of that money would go right into the Center,” he said.
He’s doubtful the new company will make a profit.
“The next guy is in trouble,” he said. “I think the city will need to decide if they want a tennis center or not.”
Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin said the owner of the new company believes he can make the tennis center a money making entity through new marketing techniques and promotions.
Carolin said the contract is for three years, but both the city and the company have opportunities to get out of the contract if things don’t work out.
Heatwole said with his experience and contacts in tennis all over the state of Florida, he knew another window would open. He will start work in October at the Trails Racquet Club, Ormond Beach, where he will be on the payroll.
Heatwole said he has enjoyed being a part of the community and getting to know the people. He said kids he taught in the 1970s are now in their 40s.
“It’s hard to believe,” he said.
City sets tax rate
In other action at the Sept. 15 City Commission meeting, the officials approved a tentative property tax rate and budget for the coming fiscal year. The final approval will be at a public hearing on Sept. 29.
The proposed millage rate, 4.1181, is 4.1% above the rolled back millage rate, which would bring in the same amount of money. The millage required to pay debt on voter-approved items, 0.2879, makes the total millage 4.4060.
The proposed total budget for the city is $61,585,979, which is funded by many sources including fines, charges for services, licenses, permits, franchise fees, etc., as well as property tax.
