Thank you! It is a privilege to serve as your Mayor, and I am willing to provide a second term if our community desires.

Here are significant reasons, from my perspective, why experienced continuity matters:

Lakeland is Growing at the Fastest Pace in its History. We are one of the most robust US real estate and job markets and must continue planning growth strategically and wisely. It is not easy, and yet, being nimble is essential to seize the best opportunities.

Concurrently, we must preserve the vital public safety and quality of life, ensuring safe living as we expand our unique City’s growth opportunities. Our Commission has strongly supported both the Lakeland Police and Fire Departments and will continue to do so.

As in life, it is rarely a single big decision that conquers complicated priorities, but instead hundreds of little choices and nuances made on a timely basis and within balanced priorities. This exacting process requires experienced decisiveness, as has been exhibited during the past four years.

Regional Cooperation is Increasingly Essential, and I Work Collaboratively with Surrounding Cities. The Polk County Regional Water Cooperative is a visible example of this critical value as we protect existing water allocations and source additional water options for the next two decades’ anticipated growth needs. In addition, I openly exchange information on housing, homelessness, and the impact of state-level mandates.

Job growth and innovation are not limited to our City’s borders, and it is my goal for Lakeland to remain cooperatively influential while also supporting overall county needs as we consider required enhancements for education, healthcare and transportation needs.

Guiding Excellent Working Relationships by Governance with City Staff Accelerates Our Success. Building trust and having confidence in our productive City Staff was an early and now accomplished priority. This attitude affords great openness to listening and proactive responses to changing Citizen needs. It allows for excellent planning and collaboration with City Commissioners, increased use of public-private partnerships (which multiplies taxpayer dollars,) and accelerates wise decision-making for our future.

As Governance and Staff work together, we develop a more thorough understanding of complex issues and complicated infrastructure requirements finding the most optimal solutions. As a result of attaining this goal, our City has witnessed increasing Commission respect, and Lakeland Citizens have a cost-effective quality of life satisfaction during an otherwise very challenging era.

Finally, and most importantly, I am a People-Focused Mayor. Whereas all factors above are important considerations for re-election, the most critical value I strive to observe is to Honor Everyone. My decisions keep this priority foremost in my mind. Appropriate collaboration matters every day.

I believe Lakeland’s greatest future asset lies not in its infrastructure but in maximizing our ability to embrace the hearts and needs of ALL citizens. To accomplish this consistently, we must listen well. Then, we must work together creatively to find the most significant common ground possible.

Despite witnessing an often polarized world, Lakeland must continue to rise above the chatter and remain people-centered in seeking solutions. This intentionality will continue to propel us well beyond who we are today as we become a difficult-to-emulate model of thriving futures.

Thank YOU for caring about Lakeland, getting involved in this election, and your active role in aligning leadership with what YOU want us to become.

As both a businessman and Mayor, I have learned:

• Stagnation is Death
• Growth is Inevitable
• Wise Planning requires Sophisticated Solutions, and
• Honoring Others is the Catalyst to find the Best Solutions possible

I believe our best days are ahead, and I am devoted to help lead us there!