Mayor’s Journal

It is an honor to serve my community in the capacity of Mayor for the city of Lake Helen, Florida.

Since my post of July 2018 there has been many changes in city staff personnel… drastic I would say. New City Administrator, new Administrative Assistant, added a Deputy Clerk, new bookkeeper, new audit company, new outsource of city financial services, new bank, new city financial software. Sounds like the birth of a new city… and we wont know what the end result will look like until all these components begin to settle into their role. This is a very delicate state for our city, eyes of hawks are needed; I am apprehensive and excited for the future.

Needless to say- as the cogs work themselves out at City Hall, outside the walls of City Hall there have been wonderful highlights in our community. I was invited to celebrate with the West Volusia Saddle Club at their appreciation banquet – Thank you West Volusia Saddle Club and Betty O’Laughlin for making Lake Helen Equestrian Center your home.

As Mayor I get invited to be judge at many community and school activities… such as Ivy Hawn Charter Schools Annual Chili Cook-off. Who would have known the many versions of Chili!! Chili with chocolate, some with pineapple and who knows what else ???, all I can say is the contestants leered as we judges savored each persons ‘chili experiment’.

For a city as small as Lake Helen, Florida… with approximately 5 mile square radius, we are rich in schools; from day cares, charter school, public school and preparatory school. The city of Lake Helen is home of Volusia Pines Elementary School. I was invited to participate in their observation of literacy week.

Principal Julie Cusack-Gordon has been the principal at Volusia Pines for the last 10 years and shares an eager enthusiasm and genuine concern for her students. She asked if I could visit several classrooms and read to the children. I was honored and read a book from my sons’ library: “The Unicorns of Balinor” a series by Mary Stanton for young readers. Unicorns, fairies, castles, dragons and magic… enough to spark a child’s imagination.

While at City Hall I received a random visit from several young students of Central Florida Preparatory Academy who came bearing a lovely gift – a rose bush for the city hall butterfly garden; they were very polite, poised and curious. They were on a mission to learn about city ordinances and the process regarding signage. I commend their teachers for awakening their interest in local government… “We the People”.

With the release of Governor DeSantis’ budget proposal for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year it alerts local municipalities of what funding is available… so I reached out to Senator Tom A. Wright who is our district representative on the Senate to learn about his interests and to share our concerns. All ties in with our local community group “Save Our Lakes” and the commissions commitment in taking a more proactive role in our lakes health and maintenance. Earlier in the month of January I had filled out and submitted an appropriations request to his office – hoping to get funding for our namesake lake: Lake Helen restoration project. Only time will tell, currently sessions are ongoing in Tallahassee.

The good news is, I also submitted an appropriations request through House Representative David Santiago and he’s Championing our cause – currently it is in the form of Bill 2189; it has gone through the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and has had its first hearing by the Appropriations Committee – the bill is still alive and we are optimistic with the representation of our city needs by House Representative David Santiago.

Conversations from a meeting with the County Manager George Recktenwald and our current City Administrator Becky Witte as well as with County Councilwoman Barbara Girtman resulted in a positive outcome as we discussed our city needs and our desire to collaborate in making Volusia County a place where people wish to live and play. The storm-water drains getting cleaned out at Connecticut and N. Lakeview Drive was an outcome of that positive meeting, with promise of assistance with our namesake lake restoration project in the future. Storm-water is a big issue one which I hope current City Administrator Witte has stated that the funds are not going towards projects but towards paying employee wages; it appears as it has been used as a slush fund? Since she now will oversee the budget administration I look forward to her report to the commission with a transparent solution.

As the ‘ceremonial’ head of the city, I am tasked with representing our city at the Volusia County Round Table of Elected Officials. This is an opportunity for leaders of Volusia County municipalities to share ideas and projects. The County Chair Mr. Ed Kelley, gave us a recap on the 1/2 cent sales tax which was approved for placement on the upcoming May mail-ballot.

The year indeed is seeing many “new” things for the city of Lake Helen, to include a new facility for Public Works. What started as a concept is now a reality.

Our citizens filled with City Pride from all the kind people that contributed with in-kind donations, labor, big hearts and passion. The “Open House” for the new Public Works facility was definitely a big day for “the Gem of Florida” – one person’s dream pulls a whole community together. Rick Mullen, Public Works Superintendent has been asking for an upgrade to the public works facility and as Mayor I have stood behind this project and glad to have served to make it happen.

For me, it is important to share with our citizens how we are a part of a greater whole and our value in the role we play as a city of Volusia County. Volusia County covers 1,200 square miles, includes 16 municipalities, and is bordered on the west by the St. Johns River.

This leads into how important it is to stay informed about what happens in the county and neighboring cities. Part of being a Mayor also involves creating bridges and fostering relationships between our neighboring cities and our County Elected Officials. As a messenger for our citizens, attending County Commission meetings allows me to be that bridge for our community. Regardless of my personal views on issues, I feel it is my duty to bring information to our community… this, in turn, allows a greater voice and interaction of ideas and possible solutions from our citizens – sometimes disagreements and to me, that is a good sign, people are interested and talking.

Moving on to the story of the “missing Traveling Trophy”. Several times a year the elected officials of Volusia County convene for a dinner – the dinner is hosted by one of the 16 cities in the county.

This gathering promotes communication and fosters cooperative action among the municipalities and municipal leaders in the Volusia area. The “Traveling Trophy” is awarded at the end of the meeting to the city that has the most member attendance for that evening. It adds an air of levity and fun competition. The trophy had gone missing – and mysteriously ended up in Lake Helen – the place where magic abounds.

Which leads me to treasures. Saturdays at Blake Park we have Market in the Park, among the many treasures you can find at Lake Helen Market in the Park are the interesting people of Lake Helen, such as Karen Foraker Garyantes – who rain or shine oversees our Market in the Park every Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

During last years’ Fourth of July parade she took this group picture, the photo is now on display at the mayor’s office at Lake Helen City Hall. I am thankful for her thoughtfulness. In the picture left to right: Vice Mayor Vernon Burton, myself :D, former Mayor Buddy Snowden, Ranger James Tyler and Jim Connell, City Commissioner for the City of Lake Helen, Florida.

Another classroom visit from Ivy Hawn Charter breaks the pace and brings joy as Vice Mayor Vernon Burton and I, have an opportunity to meet with our youths and discuss how cities work. Children delighted sitting in the Mayor’s chair and holding the gavel.

I never undervalue the presence of what the position of Mayor means to me as I represent my city. I see how important it is to continue cheer leading our city and bridging relationships. I attended presentation from President & Chief Executive Officer Jeff Feasel: Deltona Hospital coming December 2019 -Halifax Health.
The partnerships and goodwill fostered in these meetings between cities and business communities are priceless. These are the intangibles that help cities to work together for the betterment of their communities.

I believe in being pro-active and reaching out into my community, I enjoy listening to our citizens – I believe they are a gold mine of ideas and solutions. I understand that many citizens are too busy trying to juggle their schedules and unable to attend city meetings. Even if I don’t have all the answers, being accessible is important to me.

It’s not unusual for citizens to get a visit from me personally inviting them to a commission meeting. I have a saying: “I make house calls”.

Wish I could say that every day is a happy day… but unfortunately there are those days when God calls his angels back to heaven, such as He did last month when he called Piersons’ Mayor Jimmie Sowell back to heaven.

Former Lake Helen Mayor Buddy Snowden joined me in celebrating the life of Pierson’s Mayor Jimmie Sowell, with family and friends. God bless him, God bless his family and God bless the city of Pierson, Florida.

It’s only been four months since we kicked off 2019 – and suddenly I realize I’m nearing the end of my 2 year term. I have enjoyed and learned so much, and am ever so grateful for former Mayor Buddy Snowden and the citizens of Lake Helen who placed a great TRUST in me. An honor I take quite seriously.

– as much as I enjoy being a “butterfly” – whether it’s taking pictures with our firefighters, stopping at a construction site and talking with one of the local builders, visiting our Lake Helen Museum and enriching my knowledge of city history, it’s also important as Mayor to support and collaborate neighboring cities with mutual interest projects – such as

… accepting an invitation by the city of DeLand city manager Michael Pleus and Mayor Bob Apgar for their groundbreaking of The Bridge facility to help serve West Volusia’s homeless population. A collaboration between government, Faith Ministries, business partners and the big hearts of Citizen volunteers. God bless Volusia County. or…

stopping in to see a tournament at Power Volley Ball academy… and running into 2010 Miss Lake Helen Cassadaga – the lovely Miss Dallas… or

meeting local celebrities at Lake Helen’s Market in the Park:

Our very own elusive fairy Miss Victoria and The Catch of the Day- Mr. John Kholer as well as celebrity of the month Miss Candy Girl (Hooch Pooch) descendant of co-star Turner and Hooch posing as an assistant to Mark Baldwin of The Heaven’s shower and bath company… all interactions are important to me, yet…

I find it equally important what I do behind the scenes, attending meetings with our city administrator as the Eyes and Ears for our citizens who ultimately I am accountable to.

That is what matters to me most because those meetings will impact our future. I am one vote out of five and whether we agree on some issues or not it has been an honor to work with folks that have the best interest for our city in their hearts.

So… while I understand that the cog of government mechanics is what allows our enjoyment of progress, I totally value the intrinsic intangibles that make our city – Lake Helen – special.

Thank you and until my next update… God bless Lake Helen.