Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker seeks reappointment to seat he resigned to run for House
LAKELAND — After losing his campaign for Florida House District 50 to Jennifer Canady, Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker is seeking to become his own replacement.
Walker sent an email less than 18 minutes before Friday's noon filing deadline asking Lakeland City Attorney Palmer Davis and City Clerk Kelly Koos that he be considered a candidate for interim commissioner for the Northwest District seat.
Previously: Phillip Walker says he has 'no political plans' after losing in primary for District 50 seat
Related: Jennifer Canady tops Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker in Fla. House District 50 race
Under Florida law, Walker resigned from his current office in May to qualify as a candidate for state office. His last day in office is Nov. 6.
A city charter change approved by referendum in November 2021 gives the commission the right to appoint a person to fill the remaining year on Walker's third term running through November 2024. The city commission called for all those who may be interested in filling Walker's seat in early July to submit applications to be considered.
Now Walker's political future lies in the hands of his colleagues.
"If that is the will of the commission to allow me to complete what I call the term for this particular seat I would be more than gracious to accept," Walker said.
Florida Attorney General's Office and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals have both determined the "resign-to-run" state statute would stop Walker from asserting he can continue to hold office, according to Davis. But it doesn't stop him from being voluntarily reappointed.
Also: Lakeland accepting applications for interim city commissioner until Aug. 26
Read more: Lakeland seeks candidates to fill Phillip Walker's seat under new process
If reappointed, Walker said his priority for the upcoming year will be ensuring the city stays focused on affordable housing. He told The Ledger he wants to ensure the city makes the most of its money from Sadowski Fund. Other key issues include public safety, ensuring money is budgeted for necessary law enforcement and fire rescue personnel.
Besides Walker, there are eight people who have thrown their hat in the ring to be appointed to the commission. Walker said that he's reached out to three of the candidates who previously spoke to him, informing them that he wishes to be reappointed to the seat.
"I'm trying to treat others as I would like to be treated," Walker said.
Some interim candidates names may be familiar to residents, others are political newcomers. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Lolita Berrien has worked for Polk County Public Schools as an administrative assistant since August 1997. She has taught beginning piano and exercise classes for the city at the Coleman-Bush building. Residents may have heard her as a host on WWAB radio or as vice president of Webster Park South Neighborhood Association. Berrien has served on multiple municipal boards including code enforcement and planning & zoning.
Tracy Faison is a registered nurse who serves as regional administrator for Pediatric Health Choice in Lakeland, Haines City and Daytona. In the Lakeland community, Faison wrote she has been instrumental in the development of cheerleading programs, having served as executive vice president and cheerleading coordinator for Mid-Florida Football Youth and Cheerleading Conference. Her cover letter states she has a vision for affordable housing in Lakeland.
Daryl Forehand, a U.S. Navy veteran, serves as a pastor and diocesan bishop at Immanuel Temple Church. He is interim college dean of W. L. Bonner College in Columbia, South Carolina. In his application, Forehand said he's previously worked as commission investigator for the Florida Commission on Offender Review and Florida Department of Corrections. Residents may know him as former president of Lakeland Police Athletic League.
Guy LaLonde Jr., a U.S. Navy veteran, operates two small businesses in Lakeland. LaLonde is president and CEO of Lakeland Moon Walk of Polk County Inc. and Under One Tent Events Inc. He has worked his way up through Publix Supermarkets to become a meat manager. LaLonda pointed to his volunteer work with several organizations including Relay for Life, United Way of Polk County and the Special Olympics of Polk County.
Veronica Rountree works a community advocate for Peace of Mind Community Healthcare Services dating back to September 2011. Within the community, Rountree said she's worked as an advocate and counselor for individuals with disabilities and victims of sexual and domestic violence. She may be familiar to some from her time a vice chair of Habitat for Humanity and has served on numerous municipal board including code enforcement and the Police Citizens Advisory Board.
Ricky Shirah has previously run for city commission times, most recently in 2019 for the At-Large seat. Shirah is a small business owner who operates Shirah's Towing LLC. Previously, he spent 21 years working for Publix. Shirah is a member of Kiwanis Club of Lakeland and the Kathleen Lions Club.
Samuel Simmons is the owner of a housing and financial services consulting firm dating back to 2004. Prior to that, he worked as the finance manager for Lakeland Housing Authority. Simmons started his career as an accountant with the city. He is serves as the president of the Webster Park Neighborhood Association for about 20 years and co-founded the Central Florida Business Diversity Council.
Saga Stevin, who unsuccessfully ran against Mayor Bill Mutz in November 2021, has also applied to be appointed interim commissioner. Stevin works as a Platelet Rich Plasma technician, providing oversight of a patient's process and expectations during the medical procedure. In her resume, Stevin said she sits on the board of directors for the Citizens' Council for Health Freedom and Polk Education Foundation.
Commissioners will gather at 8:30 a.m. Friday for an agenda study at City Hall, 228 S. Massachusetts Ave. It is unknown if the matter related to the interim seat will be discussed at the meeting. If it is, Walker said he will recuse himself from any talks about who should be appointed interim commissioner for the Northwest District.
The next commission meeting will be held 9 a.m. Sept. 6.
The commission previously announced it would make its decision on who to appoint at its Sept.19 meeting.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Phillip Walker’s political future lies in colleagues’ hands in Lakeland
