Meet the Maitland City Council candidates

Campaigning for Maitland City Council this election season surged around one central point presented with slightly different spin from each candidate. It’s the same issue that’s been a talking point for decades, and a campaign platform for just as long.

But, with a recovering economy and increasing developer interest, the candidates in the March 11 election might be the first to actually be able to make good on their goals and start to give residents what they’ve been asking for: a real downtown.

At a Meet the Candidates Night on Feb. 27 – and throughout both their campaigns – Seat 2 candidates Bev Reponen and Martha Bryant-Hall presented their thoughts on how to make Maitland’s long-dreamed-of downtown a reality.

While residents and the candidates admitted the Feb. 27 event lacked the usual “debate” format, with the Maitland Chamber of Commerce moderator picking and choosing which questions from the public to read, the Observer was there to get the scoop and follow up afterward. Meet the candidates for yourself below, as the Observer lets each of them offer their thoughts on Maitland’s most pressing issues.

The Maitland Municipal election is March 11. Polling places include Maitland City Hall at 1776 Independence Lane, and the First Baptist Church of Maitland at 1950 Mohican Trial. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Downtown development

Downtown development has been on the minds of Maitland residents for decades, as they’ve been stuck with a dilapidated Winn-Dixie and dwindling shops in the city’s core for all of recent history.

With the Council recently voting to allow developers to submit proposals for development of additional city-owned land downtown, the vision of what the city center should look like was called to question.

Longtime local activist Martha Bryant-Hall said she’s focused on hearing from the residents about what they want their downtown to look like – and said she is set on making sure the city develops as a place where all citizens have an equal seat at the table when it comes to voicing their opinions for what the city should be.

“We need to make sure this is a place we have a passion for … we need to come together to build the city of Maitland,” she said.

“… We need to have inclusiveness. You have to have inclusiveness to make sure everyone gets a piece of the pie.”

Former two-term council member Bev Reponen stressed the importance of the role that arts and culture play in a successful downtown space, and making sure the plans coming in are for good strong Maitland-friendly developments.

“The most important area of business is the space from the front door of one business to the front door of another business … because that’s the area where all of us residents function,” Reponen said. “We have to think about the comfort of the people and how they’re going to get from place to place and have a comfortable experience.”

That, Reponen said, comes from having convenient parking and available open spaces.

Both candidates issued concern over current proposed plans that would potentially put a five-story parking garage on the site of old city hall. Bryant-Hall suggested the parking garage be moved across Horatio to the Snodgrass-owned property, while Reponen mentioned revisiting having parking built into retail developments on the old Winn-Dixie lot.

“If downtown Maitland is going to be a place where all people can come live and enjoy … we’re going to need a garage,” Bryant-Hall said.

The only question, both candidates agreed, is where.

In addition to electing a new city council member, Maitland residents will finally get their permanent say on the state of billboards in the city. If the only Charter Amendment listed on the ballot passes, off-property advertising signs exceeding 32-square-feet and erected for more than 30 days will be banned in the city charter. If the amendment fails, billboards will remained banned – as they are and have been for decades – in current city code, but their prohibition will not be added to the charter. If added to the charter, the prohibition could only be reversed by another citywide popular vote.

Transportation alternatives

Even with additional parking deemed necessary, developing alternative modes of transportation to connect downtown to the rest of Maitland, the candidates said, is also a must.

Reponen suggested pedi-cabs, golf carts or a trolley to get residents around, including back and forth from the SunRail station, which will celebrate its grand opening April 11.

“We have to get transportation, a means of moving people around,” Reponen said. “The last thing we want is a bunch of taxi cabs blocking the roads and burning gas in our downtown … I think we need to find an alternative means, we have to do it quickly and we have to do it the right way.”

Bryant-Hall touched on the importance of also getting workers from SunRail to the Maitland Center and other major employers in the city.

“SunRail is going to be a draw for businesses in the city … And you need to be sure that once the Rail goes in, people have a way to get from the station to work safe and on time,” Bryant-Hall said.

Traffic talk

The top topic and most immediate need in Maitland, both candidates said, is that of mitigating ongoing traffic issues at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and Horatio Avenue.

Bryant-Hall said the city needs to work together with residents to come up with plans to address traffic issues before they happen – and always assure necessary right-of-ways are open and flowing without hurting businesses or endangering lives.

“I know how to get things done. I know I don’t have all the plans, but I’m willing to work with everyone in the city to help make them,” Bryant-Hall said.

Reponen said to increase traffic safety the city needs to increase communication with residents to let them know of pattern changes beforehand so they can mentally prepare the best routes before getting on the road.

“I think traffic is a big concern, on that I’ve seen put many people in very dangerous situations,” Reponen said. “We need a policy of letting people know exactly what to expect during changes.”