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Florida Decides

Election Day is Tuesday, March 9Orange County Candidates

Election Day is Tuesday, March 9

Jump to:
Apopka | Edgewood | Maitland | Ocoee | Orlando | Winter Park


Submit your candidate information:
E-mail Jennifer Cook, News 13 Executive Producer, jcook@cfnews13.com

Apopka

City Council, Seat 1

Billie L. Dean

Billie Dean Education:

  • Master of Agriculture and Administration, Florida A&M University
  • B.S. in Agriculture, Florida A&M University

Occupation: Retired teacher
Personal: Married, 5 children
Experience:

  • Apopka City Commission, 1994–present
  • Orange County Community Affairs, Board of Directors
  • Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, Advisory Council
  • Citizen’s Police Academy of Apopka
  • U.S. Army
Barb Zakszewski

Barb Zakszewski Education: B.S. in Criminal Justice, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Occupation: Inside Sales Rep., Assembly Fasteners
Personal: Married, 2 children
Experience:

  • St. Margaret Mary Board of Education
  • Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Northwest Orange Republican Women’s Federated Club

Issues:

  • Being fiscally prudent in these tough economic times.
  • Encourage new business to come to our area by making it affordable for them.
  • Public safety is a high priority.

Web site: barbzakszewski.com

City Council, Seat 2

Marilyn Ustler McQueen

Marilyn Ustler McQueen Occupation: Retired, Eastern Air Lines
Personal: Married, 1 daughter
Experience:

  • Apopka City Council, 1996–present
  • Apopka Chamber of Commerce
  • Florida Hospital Apopka Foundation Board
  • Apopka Foliage Sertoma Club
  • Tri County League of Cities, 1996–present
  • Orange County Civic Facilities Board
  • Florida League of Cities
  • Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission, 1994–1996

Issues:

  • Ensure community retains its small town charm and characteristics.
  • Provide the highest quality services to residents and businesses.

Web site: commissionermarilynustlermcqueen.com

Sammy Ruth

Sammy Ruth Awaiting candidate response.

Edgewood

Charter Amendments

City Charter Amendment 1

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to clearly state that candidates for elected office shall comply with any applicable “resign to run” laws of the State of Florida?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 2

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended so that specific requirements for public meetings and public record review are replaced with the mandate that the City comply with all State Laws regarding open meetings and public records?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 3

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended so that authentication of duly passed Ordinances and Charter Amendments shall require only the signatures of the city clerk and council president; to remove the requirement that the general codification of the Code of Ordinances be approved by Ordinance; to remove requirements as to the form of publication of the Code of Ordinances; and to provide for furnishing the Code to officials upon request?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 4

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to remove provisions providing for creation of new City departments by Charter Amendment?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 5

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to provide for forfeiture of office for council members who miss two consecutive meetings or four non-consecutive meetings within a calendar year unless such absences are excused by the council and to clarify that any vacancies on the council
shall be filled from among the electors of the City of Edgewood?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 6

Shall certain non-substantive corrections be made to the Edgewood Charter?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 7

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to provide for review of the City's Charter by a Charter Review Commission to occur every seven years instead of every four years?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 8

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to provide that the Mayor shall be responsible to the City Council rather than the electorate for the day to day administration of the City; and to clarify that a vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled by an appointee from among the electors of the City of Edgewood?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 9

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to provide that the Mayor shall be responsible to the City Council for the supervision of the Police Department, City Hall and Contract Staff; to clarify the authority and duties of the Mayor during emergency situations; to provide that all recommended appointments of the Mayor be confirmed by the City Council; and provide that the Mayor may approve expenditures within limits defined by Ordinance and proclamations?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 10

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to clarify the authority and duties of the City Clerk?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 11

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to clarify the authority and duties of the police chief?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 12

Shall the provisions in the Charter for a building inspector be deleted and shall the title of Section 7.05 be amended?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 13

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to clarify the budget process and budget responsibilities of City Officials; provide for a budget message to be proposed by the Mayor; provide for the reduction and transfer of budget allocations by resolution; provide for the lapse of appropriations after two years; and provide that unrestricted reserves shall not exceed 75% of gross annual revenue?

  • Yes
  • No
City Charter Amendment 14

Shall the Edgewood Charter be amended to provide that a candidate for municipal office must file his or her application with the city clerk by hand delivery or by registered mail at least forty-six days prior to the election day; and to remove the authority of the city council to designate another official to perform certain functions
of the city clerk?

  • Yes
  • No

Maitland

City Council, Seat 3

Bill Randolph

Bill RandolphEducation:

  • M.A., Webster University, 1985
    (while assigned to Altus Air Force Base, Okla.)
  • B.S. in Journalism, University of Florida, 1982

Occupation:

  • Marketing and Public Relations for JCR Consulting: Landscape Architects, Maitland (13 years)
  • Marketing for Professional Engineering Consultants, Inc., Orlando (9 years)
  • Technical Editor at Rockwell International, Columbus, Ohio (1 year)

Personal: Married
Experience:

  • Board of Directors, Central Florida Chapter of the Society of Marketing Professional Services, 1990–92, 2005–present
    • Chapter president, 2007–08
  • Board of Directors, Equinox Documentaries, 4 years
    • Presently on Advisory Board
  • Board of Directors, Maitland Grove Community Association
  • Board of Directors, Maitland Historical Society
  • Board of Directors, Orlando Area Chapter of Florida Public Relations Association, 1994–2002
    • Chapter president, 2000
  • Maitland Lakes Advisory Board, 12 years
    • Chairman twice
  • Maitland Transportation Advisory Board, 5 years
    • Chairman onc
  • Metro Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, Maitland appointed member
  • U.S. Air Force
  • Florida Wildflower Foundation
  • Maitland Chamber of Commerce
  • Maitland Civic Center
  • Maitland Friends of First Responders
  • Maitland Historical Society
  • National Audubon Society

Issues:

  • Sustainable in-fill development within the CRA and Town Center area along the U.S. 17-92 Corridor.
  • Revitalizing and improving the Maitland Center area west of I-4.
  • Continuing our work improving the water quality of our lakes.
  • Refocusing the Quality Neighborhood Programs.
  • Public Safety – Police, EMT and Fire Fighters.
  • Budget Impacts due to declining Property Tax Revenue.
  • SunRail Station Construction and Railroad Quiet Zones.
Bev Reponen

Bev Reponen Education:

  • Master of Education, Rollins College
  • B.S. in Biology, Sociology, Western Michigan University

Occupation: Former educator
Personal: Married, 2 children
Experience:

  • Maitland City Council, 2006–present
    • Current Vice Mayor
  • Chairwoman, Interim Improvement Committee
  • Maitland Lakes Advisory Board, former member
  • Maitland Personnel Board, former member
  • President of the Friends of Maitland’s Waterways, former member

Issues:

  • Develop a pedestrian-friendly downtown that emphasizes connectivity.
  • Complete the plans and building of the fire station and city hall.
  • Promote the revitalization of the West Side, to increase the city’s tax base.
  • Conservation and wise use of our potable water, our lakes, and our parks.
  • Update the Downtown Maitland Revitalization Plan, establishing updated standards and designs.
  • Promote community pride through the Beautification Committee’s efforts.

Contact: breponen@itsmymaitland.com

Ocoee

City Commission, District 1

Gary Hood

Gary HoodEducation: Lake-Sumter Community College
Occupation: Industrial steel
Personal: Married, 5 children
Experience:

  • Ocoee City Commission, 2005–present
  • Ocoee Community Service Award Advisory Board
  • Ocoee Recreational Advisory Board
  • Commissioner Redistricting Committee
  • Community Redevelopment Agency
  • President, Ocoee Little League
  • Florida League of Cities
  • Amber Ridge Homeowners Association

Issues:

  • Economic Development
  • Crime
  • Street Resurfacing Program
  • New Fire Department District One
  • Foreclosed Properties
  • Schools
  • Parks and Recreational Facilities

Contact: ghood@ci.ocoee.fl.us

Danny Howell

  Awaiting candidate response.

City Commission, District 3

Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson Education: B.S., Central Michigan University
Occupation: Ocoee Business Owner
Personal:
Experience:

  • Ocoee Commissioner for over 12 years
  • First Baptist Church of Ocoee
  • Ocoee Citizen’s Police Academy
  • Lions Club Member
  • Ocoee Parks & Recreation Board
  • Ocoee Police Advisory Committee
  • West Orange Airport Authority Board Member
  • West Orange Health Alliance Board Member
  • West Orange Leadership Graduate

Issues:

  • Health & safety of our citizens and property is always the number one issue
  • Job & economic development are even more critical concerns as we move into an uncertain economy
  • Ocoee needs economic retention of our local businesses.
  • We need to address citizen safety concerns in parts of the city, i.e. Mall.
  • With all the foreclosures, we need to do a better job working with Home Owner Associations and local blocks protecting property values from deteriorating.

Web site: http://www.scottocoee.com/
Contact:
scottocoee@yahoo.com

Rusty Johnson

Rusty Johnson  Awaiting candidate response.

Ballot Questions

Ocoee Ballot Question 1

Charter amendment permitting the city commission to censure its members. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 2

Charter amendment adopting new procedures for the voters to initiate the adoption and repeal of ordinances by initiative and referendum and for the city commission to submit ordinances to the voters for approval. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 3

Charter amendment changing the procedures by which the city commission may suspend and terminate the city manager. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 4

Charter amendment removing members of the city commission from the Canvassing Board, updating and changing the procedures for the conduct and canvassing of city elections to comply with state law and allowing the Orange County Canvassing Board to canvass city elections. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 5

Charter amendment allowing the charter review commission to send charter amendments directly to the voters without city commission approval and adding two alternate members to the charter review commission. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 6

Charter amendment clarifying the city commissioners are entitled to complete their term of office if they cease to be a resident of their district due to redistricting. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 7

Charter amendment providing that special elections to fill a vacancy on the city commission will be held within 90 days of the vacancy rather than 30 days. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No
Ocoee Ballot Question 8

Charter amendment correcting scrivener's errors, adding a preamble, providing for the regulation of reclaimed water systems, changing the method of noticing members of the city commission of a special meeting, providing for an acting city clerk; revising the capital improvement program adoption process; and changing the notice requirements for adoption of the budget. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

  • Yes
  • No

Orlando

City Commission, District 3

Larry Spade

Larry Spade Education: B.S. in Landscape Architecture, West Virginia University
Occupation: Landscape architect, Irrigation designer
Personal: Married, 1 son
Experience:

  • American Society of Landscape Architects
  • Florida Registered Landscape Architect

Issues:

  • I want to make neighborhoods my No. 1 priority, not downtown.
  • Safety and lowering traffic in our neighborhoods.
  • Help solve issues that arise from the SunRail and high-speed rail projects.
  • Eliminate wasteful spending in our government.

Web site: larryspade.com
Contact: larry@larryspade.com

Robert Stuart

Robert Stuart Education: University of Florida
Occupation: Executive director, Christian Service Center for Central Florida
Personal: Married, 2 children
Experience:

  • Orlando City Council, 2006–present
  • Central Florida Regional Commission on Homelessness
  • Orlando Mayor’s Working Committee on Homelessness, Co-chair
  • Annual Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast
  • Orange County Interim Council on Aging
  • Vision Orlando, Inc./BreakFree '93
  • Billy Graham Crusade
  • Community Services Network/211
  • Greater Orlando Leadership Foundation
  • Leadership Orlando (#07)
  • Orange County Historical Society
  • Chaired Fire Station #2 Museum Committee
  • PTA/PTSA at Lake Silver, Lee and Edgewater
  • Chaired LMS School Facility Study Group (1995)

Web site: votestuart.com

Winter Park

City Commission, Seat 3

Carolyn Cooper

Carolyn Cooper Education:

  • Master’s in Systems Management, University of Southern California
  • Bachelor’s in Management, University of West Florida

Experience:

  • Winter Park Planning and Zoning Commission
  • Winter Park Comprehensive Plan Task Force
  • Winter Park Historical Association
  • Friends of Casa Feliz
  • League of Women Voters
  • Common Threads Executive Committee
  • Aldersgate Emmaus Community
  • United Methodist Women

Issues:

  • Protect Winter Park’s historic assets and family neighborhoods.
  • Develop underutilized commercial areas to create jobs and generate tax revenue.
  • Implement Winter Park’s vision as adopted in our approved Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.
  • Be a disciplined steward of your tax dollars.
  • Encourage and respect your input.

Web site: carolyncooper.net
Contact: voteforcooper@gmail.com

David Lamm

David Lamm Education: University of Florida
Occupation: CEO, Lamm and Company Partners
Personal: Married, 4 children
Experience:

  • Winter Park Planning and Zoning Board, Chairman
  • Winter Park Architectural Review Task Force, Chairman
  • Winter Park Comprehensive Plan Task Force
  • Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Board of Advisors
  • Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
  • City of Orlando Appearance Review Board
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation Board of Directors
  • Reunion Bank of Florida Board of Directors
  • Lake Highland Preparatory Board of Visitors
  • American Institute of Architects
  • Summit Church

Web site: davidlamm.org

City Commission, Seat 4

Peter Gottfried

Peter Gottfried Education:

  • M.B.A., University of Mississippi, 1984
  • M.S., University of Central Florida, 1979
  • B.A., University of Delaware, 1976

Occupation: Winter Park small business owner, Natural Systems Analysts, Inc.
Personal: Married, 2 children
Experience:

  • Winter Park City Commissioner, 1986–96
  • Winter Park Lakes and Waterways Board, former chairman
  • Winter Park Library, former board member
  • East Central FL Regional Planning Council, former board member
  • Florida Association of Environmental Professionals, former president

Issues:

  • Decrease the tax burden on homeowners by diversifying our economy.
  • Create a business-friendly climate that results in new and higher paying jobs.
  • Conserve drinking water through more use of reclaimed water for irrigation.

Web site: petergottfried.com

Tom McMacken

Tom McMacken Education: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Louisiana State University, 1977
Occupation: Landscape architect, Principal AECOM, Orlando
Personal: Married, 1 daughter
Experience:

  • Winter Park Planning and Zoning Commission
  • Winter Park Preservation Board
  • Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board
  • Winter Park Historic Preservation Commission
  • Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, volunteer

Issues:

  • Respect for the process
  • Building trust in our city government
  • Building stability in Winter Park

Web site: tommcmacken.com
Contact: tommcmacken@gmail.com

Charter Amendments

Charter Amendment 1

Shall the Charter be amended to add a Preamble to set forth the authority
of the Charter, identify the powers and purposes of the City of Winter Park,
and to identify the purposes of the Charter which shall include the continued improvement of Winter Park so that it will be a city of the highest quality that will preserve a superior quality of life for the current residents and future generations?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 2

Shall Section 1.02 of the Charter be simplified and shortened by removing the lengthy legal description of the corporate boundaries and city limits of the City of Winter Park from the text of the Charter, and, by substituting in place of the unnecessary legal description a simple statement that tells the citizens where they may review and receive the legal description of the corporate boundaries of the City of Winter Park?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 3

Shall the Charter be amended to add a provision to Section 1.03, requiring the appointment of a Citizens’ Charter Review Advisory Committee at least every ten years for the purpose of reviewing the Charter and recommending changes, if any, that should be submitted to the voters for approval?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 4

Shall Section 2.04 of the Charter be amended to clarify that the time served by a person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy on the Commission shall not constitute a full term, but the time served by a Commissioner/Mayor vacating office shall constitute a full term in office regardless of the time served, for determining the term limits of the Commissioner/Mayor, which shall be a limit of four (4) consecutive full terms?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 5

Shall the Charter be amended to provide that the City Commission may
determine the annual salary of the Mayor and Commissioners by
ordinance, but no increase in salary shall become effective until March
10, 2011 or thereafter, and providing that the Mayor and Commissioners
shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of their duties of office?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 6

Shall Section 2.07 of the Charter be amended to simplify the procedure for filling a vacancy in office by providing if a vacancy occurs in the Commission, the remaining members shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy until the next general election; and, if there is deadlock, then the remaining Commissioners excluding the Mayor shall submit names of proposed successors and the Mayor shall appoint the successor from the submittals?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 7

Shall Section 2.08 of the Charter be amended to require that ordinances
and resolutions may only be adopted by a majority vote of members of
the Commission who are physically present?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 8

Shall Section 2.10(a) of the Charter be amended to clarify that no
individual member of the City Commission shall give orders to officers or
employees of the City, and, to provide that the Commission by majority
vote may direct the Manager or Civil Service Board to implement specific
recommendations for improvement in City operations?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 9

Shall Section 2.11(a) of the Charter be amended to provide that an
ordinance shall only be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the City Commission members who are physically present at two or more
regular or special meetings of the Commission?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 10

Shall Section 2.11(b) of the Charter be amended to add a subsection 10
which will provide that any change to the objectives, goals or policies in
the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan may be made
only by an affirmative vote in support of such change by a minimum of
four votes of Commission Members who are physically present at the
meeting when the vote is taken?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 11

Shall the Charter be amended to delete Section 4.08 which allows for
the office of a Public Safety Director as this position is not in effect and
is unnecessary to be included within the Charter?

  • Yes
  • No
Charter Amendment 12

Shall the Charter be amended to provide for the adoption and
maintenance of a local code of ethics?

  • Yes
  • No

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