{"id":26168,"date":"2022-10-11T17:29:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T21:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=26168"},"modified":"2022-10-11T17:29:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T21:29:57","slug":"lakeland-commissioners-hear-from-8-candidates-competing-to-fill-walkers-northwest-district-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2022\/10\/11\/lakeland-commissioners-hear-from-8-candidates-competing-to-fill-walkers-northwest-district-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakeland commissioners hear from 8 candidates competing to fill Walker’s Northwest District seat<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Lakeland City Commission held candidate interviews at City Hall on Monday as part of a process to fill former Commissioner Phillip Walker\u2019s seat representing the city’s Northwest District. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commissioners will vote on his replacement at the Oct. 17 regularly scheduled meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Monday\u2019s session, each candidate had been provided 10 questions in advance for them to prepare for their interview. They were\u00a0given 15\u00a0minutes each to answer and expand on their responses. The candidates were Lolita Berrien, Tracy Faison, Daryl Forehand, Guy LaLonde Jr., Veronica Rountree, Ricky Shirah, Samuel Simmons,\u00a0and Saga Stevin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth, infrastructure, and homelessness were among the most frequently cited issues the candidates addressed in response to the questions. They all also highlighted their community service, which included serving the city’s youth and disadvantaged residents. They also described their fitness for the job of interim commissioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five of six commissioners attend the session. Both Mayor Mutz and Commissioner Walker were out of town, but are expected to participate in the vote to fill the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions asked for the assets they would bring to the post, the size of budgets they had previously overseen,\u00a0and what they knew about infrastructure, among other qualifications. Further, they were asked to tell the panel what makes them passionate about Lakeland and what their vision for the city is.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also asked if they could devote enough time to the position. In addition to emails and four meetings each month, Walker’s replacement could potentially be asked to attend the committees he served on. Those include meetings with the\u00a0Florida Legislature in Tallahassee,\u00a0Polk Transportation Planning Organization, Utility Committee (Lakeland Electric),\u00a0and Lakeland Area Mass Transit District.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The candidates were able to ask questions, the most common of which was what was the commission looking for in the person to fill the vacancy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Someone who knows the district,” Commissioner Mike Musick said, “someone who is up to speed and understands the issues facing the city.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The position opened up once Walker submitted a letter of resignation to the city in May under Florida’s “resign-to-run” law in order to campaign for Florida House District 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0The interviews were\u00a0recorded on camera but the broadcast was delayed so candidates could not see the other candidate’s interviews prior to the last interview.\u00a0The broadcast was scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.\u00a0But the Lakeland Gazette has included the video below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n