Sprinkel to face opponent in election

Winter Park City Commissioner Sarah Sprinkel has a challenger in the upcoming municipal election. Longtime resident Sandy Womble is throwing her hat into the ring.

“I like Sarah Sprinkel, so it was a very hard decision to make,” Womble said. “I think her heart is in the right place, but I think we have different philosophies and I don’t think she lived up to her campaign promise.”

“I think people are upset and they’re looking for a leader … I just think it’s my time.”

Womble prides herself as a devotee to historic preservation, active in the Winter Park Historical Association and serving as one of the founding members of Friends of Casa Feliz, an organization formed in 2000 dedicated to protecting the historic home.

The Winter Park resident of more than 20 years is the former owner of an art gallery called Palm House Gallery along Park Avenue.

Eligible candidates were required to provide a minimum of 25 written petitions from Winter Park residents. Womble provided 70 signatures.

“For the next eight weeks, this is what I devote myself to,” Sprinkel said.

“I’m not in this to lose.”

Winter Park City Commissioner Steven Leary won his second three-year term Tuesday, as the Jan. 7 deadline to apply for candidacy against him passed with no other takers.

Leary announced his bid for reelection Dec. 18, making the announcement before a crowd of Winter Park residents at Hannibal’s on the Square.

“Over the past three years we’ve done some great things in the city,” Leary said.

“I’m running because I want to continue the positive momentum of the city.”

Leary first won his Commission seat back in March of 2011, after beating Scott Callahan with 63.4 percent of the votes.

Winter Park’s municipal election is March 11.