Meet Windermere Town Council candidate Richard Montgomery

BIO

• Name: Richard L. Montgomery
• Age: 66
• Education: BS – Civil Engineering
• Occupation: Business Development – Florida Municipal Power Agency

What motivated you to run for town council again?

I decided to run again because I am enjoying the privilege of serving the residents of the Town of Windermere. The first year of my term was spent absorbing and developing an understanding of the multitude of issues and challenges of the council as it serves the town’s residents. As a result, my ability to serve has grown exponentially. I hope to be able to continue to serve while responding to the needs of the town over the next two-year term.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities for the town?

• Focus on the issue of “cut through traffic” on our dirt roads to ensure the safety of our residents in an optimal manner while concurrently working to mitigate adverse impacts to resident’s traditional traffic patterns.
• Continue the pursuit of developing the steps/plans required to bring potable county water to all residents of the town.
• The age of the town’s current CIP turns five this year. It should be fully updated to ensure that the priorities of currently identified projects are still ranked appropriately and current road conditions may have changed since first surveyed.

Why should town residents vote for you?

Because I have no personal agenda and only wish to serve the town in its pursuit of embracing the future while concurrently ensuring the continuation of its small-town culture and benefits.

What do you feel is the best way for the town to handle its ongoing cut-through traffic issues?

There is no silver bullet that will resolve this problem. It is only going to get worse as development continues in west Orange County. The primary focus needs to center upon the safety of our residents while recognizing that doing so will generate adverse and unexpected outcomes. Solutions need to be operationally tested before any permanent “fix” is enacted.

Where do you stand regarding the town’s initiative to provide safer, modern facilities for the town’s administration personnel and police officers?

The town’s current facilities are substandard and do not meet our current needs, much less future needs. New facilities are desperately needed that will meet both today’s needs and that of our future. Our town staff and officers deserve to work in facilities where they can perform their duties in a proud and professional manner.

Some believe the town needs better protections for its trees. What specific changes, if any, would you like to see in the town regarding environmental protections?

Trees are one of the key elements of what makes Windermere, Windermere. I am no expert on what protections should be enacted that are focused upon current or needed environmental protections. This is one of the justifications of why the Town has established committees to advise the council and make recommendations for needed change. As an example, the Windermere Tree Board is currently reviewing the town’s current tree ordinance to make recommendations for strengthening current protection measures. When presented, then the council can weigh the issues and take appropriate action based upon the recommendations.

How would you improve communication between the town administration and residents?

The challenge of communication highlights the technology divide between those of us who did not grow up using the internet and those who have never known life without a smartphone. The town uses the internet for communicating happenings and signs in front of Town Hall announcing a meeting occurring that evening. I hate to reference the “big red sign” but there needs to be a more appropriate sign erected in a prominent location that can communicate key scheduled events that can help prompt residents to be aware and, if interested, visit the town’s website for details.