Maitland City Talk

I have been blessed by having had an opportunity to serve and make a difference in my community. In 2006, before I took office, I decided to focus my efforts initially on balancing our budget, keeping taxes low, building a pedestrian-friendly downtown, securing a commuter rail station, completing our public buildings and developing a master plan for Maitland Center.

As I contemplated what it would take to accomplish my goals, I knew I could not do it alone. My first effort was to more effectively communicate with residents. Given input from residents, I felt it was just as important to have input and buy-in from staff and other members of Council in order to make the best decisions possible. Annual strategic planning that involved both was the perfect solution that provided essential priorities that guided the city throughout the year.

In terms of accomplishing my initial goals, we are forging ahead with the development of our downtown, we have balanced our budget year after year without millage increases, SunRail is now a reality, public buildings are on course, we have protected our lakes, and, as of Dec. 13, a master plan for the redevelopment of Maitland Center is in place. But although Maitland has been successful to date, much work is to be done in the months and years to come.

New strategic priorities will certainly be developed during the next planning meeting of Council, but most certainly, as I leave office, I would hope our leaders concentrate on one or all of the following:

-Complete city hall and fire station on time and under budget

-Sign a new, long-term lease with Maitland Art and History Association (MAHA) that includes a master plan for the property

-Develop the Downtown Maitland Revitalization Plan, which would include development guidelines for all of our downtown

-Secure a developer and funding for the development of a pedestrian-friendly downtown core, rather than parceling out any property within the four-block area

-Ensure that a dedicated funding source is in place at the county and/or state level for the ongoing operations and maintenance of SunRail

-Continued focus on connectivity in our downtown, especially to and from the SunRail station and in the southeast Horatio/17-92 corridor

-And last but not least, to concentrate on the expansion of our parks system on the west side of Maitland. This will be much more difficult as the economy rebounds and land prices escalate.

There is much work that needs to be done, but as the economy rebounds, we are poised to be in a position to accomplish much, if not all, of the above. All of Maitland’s families will benefit from a continued strategic focus on our future.

I have spent nearly five years being involved and leading our community and truly wish the best for our new mayor and Council throughout the coming year. But we should never forget that our future long-term success will be based on the involvement and input of our residents.

As the sun sets on my service to my community, the ultimate thanks go out to my family, who supported me through every turn, every challenge and every decision. They are the basis upon which every effort I make for others is based. My love for my community comes from the love of my family, forever and always.