Campaigns warm up

Winter Park has two contested races coming up for City Commission. Official qualifying for candidacy ended Jan. 4, but for at least one candidate, the race began in December.

Sprinkel

Sarah Sprinkel was already in the running for Commissioner Beth Dillaha’s seat before the incumbent had decided she wouldn’t be running for re-election.

Sprinkel, who’s the director of elementary education for the Florida Virtual School, said her career has honed her ability to listen and mediate discussions and disagreements, and she’d be instrumental on the Commission.

“I’m the peacemaker,” Sprinkel said at her campaign kickoff. “I’m one of those people who’s always been in the middle. [Winter Park residents] need a person who can put people together and collaborate.”

Sprinkel’s Dec. 8 announcement for her candidacy made her the earliest to jump into the now four-person race for two seats on the Commission.

Both of those seats have been opened up for contention by first-term incumbents who chose not to seek re-election — Dillaha and Seat 1 Commissioner Phil Anderson.

Jackson

Dillaha’s open seat will have another challenger in Bonnie Jackson, a commercial litigator with her own firm in Winter Park.

“I love my city,” she said. “I live in Winter Park, my kids go to school in Winter Park and my business is in Winter Park.”

Jackson’s biggest contribution to Winter Park government is her current role as vice chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Commission. She’s also the vice chairwoman of the Tree Preservation Board. She’s served on city boards for three years.

“I’ve learned a lot about how the city operates and how it could operate better,” she said. “I think it’s time for me to do more. I think you need strong leadership and that’s why I’m running.”

Callahan

A businessman and an attorney will face off for Anderson’s Seat 1. Scott Callahan has served on the Community Redevelopment Advisory Board and practices law as a real estate attorney at the Roetzel and Andress law firm.

“I’m running because I’m feeling a sense of urgency in dealing with matters that are of importance to the citizens,” Callahan said. “We have people who are in difficult financial circumstances, and we want to take the actions so that Winter Park doesn’t find itself in the same position.

“I have the experience based on what I’ve learned in the legal and accounting worlds to assist with that. That’s in a nutshell what I’m trying to do.”

Leary

Steven Leary is Vice President at Leary Management Group, and has spent his career in management, sales, marketing and advertising.

“I understand budget issues,” Leary said. “I understand how to lead from an executive position. I want to help bring the City Commission back to being a policy setting organization, and not get down to the micromanaging that goes on. I also want to use my experience as a property owner of historic properties, as I understand the need to preserve the historic significance of our city.”

It’s campaign season until the vote on March 8. That night, Winter Park will find out who will comprise the newest two-fifths of the City Commission.