SEMINOLE — A local fishing club is asking for the city's help inhonoring one of the four teens killed last month in a horrific trafficcrash by sponsoring a perpetual fishing trophy.
The one-time cost: $454.75.
Seminole council members aren't sure they'll do it. But they will hold a workshop to discuss the possibility.
Theboys — Nate Richardson, Joey Ruzecki, Keith MacCollom and LeShawn Smith— were killed April 10 when the car in which they were riding glancedoff another car, hit a tree and exploded in flames. Another teen, CoreyLePore, survived the crash. Richardson, Ruzecki, MacCollom and LePorelived in the unincorporated Seminole area and were students at SeminoleHigh. Smith lived in Largo and attended Largo High.
"It hit ourclub very hard," said Robin Fancher, of the West Coast Anglers fishingclub. "Those four kids, actually five kids, fished with us, and (NateRichardson) was a member of our club. It's very tough for us."
Fanchersaid the club wanted to honor Richardson by creating a perpetual trophyfor the club's annual tournament, the Tarpon Roundup. The award wouldgo to the person who won the junior — under 16 — division. Like theStanley Cup, the winner would have his name engraved on the trophy andwould keep it for a year. The sponsor's name would be on the cupforever.
The club asked whether the city would like to be thesponsor for the one-time fee. Also there were Richardson's parents, whosat in the front row waiting for the council's decision.
SeminoleCity Manager Frank Edmunds said the normal procedure is for the councilto consider all such requests during a workshop and that one would bescheduled.
"Council will get back to you," Edmunds said.
