Lakeland commissioners hear from candidates vying to fill Walker's Northwest District seat

The Lakeland City Commission held candidate interviews at City Hall on Monday as part of a process to fill former Commissioner Phillip Walker’s seat representing the city's Northwest District.

The commissioners will vote on his replacement at the Oct. 17 regularly scheduled meeting.

Previously: Lakeland Commissioner Phillip Walker seeks reappointment to seat he resigned to run for House

And then: Facing term limits, Phillip Walker withdraws request to be reappointed to Lakeland commission

At Monday’s session, each candidate had been provided 10 questions in advance for them to prepare for their interview. They were given 15 minutes each to answer and expand on their responses. The candidates were Lolita Berrien, Tracy Faison, Daryl Forehand, Guy LaLonde Jr., Veronica Rountree, Ricky Shirah, Samuel Simmons and Saga Stevin.

Growth, infrastructure and homelessness were among the most frequently cited issues the candidates addressed in response to the questions. They all also highlighted their community service, which included serving the city's youth and disadvantaged residents. They also described their fitness for the job of interim commissioner.

Five of six commissioners attend the session. Both Mayor Mutz and Commissioner Walker were out of town, but are expected to participate in the vote to fill the seat.

The questions asked for the assets they would bring to the post, the size of budgets they had previously overseen and what they knew about infrastructure, among other qualifications. Further, they were asked to tell the panel what makes them passionate about Lakeland and what their vision for the city is. 

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They also asked if they could devote enough time to the position. In addition to emails and four meetings each month, Walker's replacement could potentially be asked to attend the committees he served on. Those include meetings with the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee, Polk Transportation Planning Organization, Utility Committee (Lakeland Electric) and Lakeland Area Mass Transit District.

The candidates were able to ask questions, the most common of which was what was the commission looking for in the person to fill the vacancy.

"Someone who knows the district," Commissioner Mike Musick said, "someone who is up to speed and understands the issues facing the city."

The position opened up once Walker submitted a letter of resignation to the city in May under Florida's "resign-to-run" law in order to campaign for Florida House District 50. After he lost the Republican primary to Jennifer Canady, Walker had asked the commissioners to consider reappointing him to serve out the remaining year of his term. Walker later withdrew his request.

The interviews were recorded on camera but the broadcast was delayed so candidates could not see the other candidate's interviews prior to the last interview. The broadcast was scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.

Lolita Berrien

Berrien is a former Polk County School District administrative assistant, a volunteer WWAB radio host and she has served on various neighborhood associations, including as a vice president and code enforcement board member for Webster Park South Neighborhood Association. She also is the presiding chair for the Neighborhood Association Coalition and the president of the Lakeland City Wide Mission.

She said her focus as a commissioner would include "urban uplifts," as well as schools, healthcare, business development and other institutions that help build a successful city.

Addressing additional qualifications, she said,  "What I bring is appropriate moral character."

Tracy Faison

Tracy Faison said she rehabilitates affordable homes for a living. She also listed her profession as a nurse on her resume and her volunteer efforts include time assisting local cheerleading and football programs,

"What do I see and what do I bring to the table," Faison said. "I bring dignity. I bring humbleness. I bring compassion for our community."

Daryl Forehand

Forehand is a former U.S. Navy veteran and has degrees in computer engineering technology, theology from Southeastern University and organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Among the list of his skills include public safety, corrections and firearms instruction.

“People matter," Forehand said. "I live in the district and I would like to represent all the people in the Northwest District. I am homegrown and I have some experience in government.”

Guy LaLonde

LaLonde is also a Navy veteran, works as a meat manager at Publix Super Markets and list jobs in grocery retail dating back to 1984. He also runs event-related businesses offering water slides and other event-related rentals.

As a small business owner, LaLonde said, "Lakeland is more than a city to me, Lakeland is a brand." He also said the city has many issues it is confronting including rising electricity rates. "I find it interesting, I find it challenging and I am interested in that."

Veronica Rountree

Rountree is a retired educator, and freelance writer with experience in early childhood development, victim advocacy and with volunteer experience with Habitat for Humanity, among various other non-profit  organizations.

She founded Basic Life Solutions, Inc. and is currently working with Peace of Mind Community Health Services as a community advocate, her resume said.

"I want to make sure the northwest area continues to be included in the growth of Lakeland," she said

Ricky Shirah

Shirah runs a towing service in Lakeland and enjoys cooking, sharing and eating barbecue. He is a Kathleen High School graduate who worked at Publix until starting his small business in 1994.

His civic involvement includes attending the Citizen Inaugural State Attorney course and a course through the Business Voice of Greater Lakeland. He is also an alum of Future Farmers of American Alumni Foundation, Lakeland Citizens Police Academy and has served on the Polk County Commission's parks and recreation committee.

"I've lived here, I love this community and its just a great community and I'd love to serve on the commission," he said.

Samuel Simmons

Simmons once worked as an accountant for the city at the start of his career. He is currently a consultant in business, finance and housing development. He has served as president of the Webster Park Neighborhood Association for 20 years. He also served as the first president of the NAC.

"From an economic perspective, I co-founded the Central Florida Business Diversity Council Inc. 10 years ago," he said. "Our aim is to advocate, educate and facilitate on behalf of minority-owned small businesses."

Saga Stevin

Stevin is a laboratory specialist with healthcare experience in plasma treatments. She is a certified trainer in home firearm safety through the National Rifle Association. She has experience on boards, including the Citizens Council for Health Freedom and the Polk Education Foundation.

Stevin had challenged Mutz in the November election for the mayor's seat but was defeated by the incumbent after receiving on 33% of the votes.

"My heart is to serve Lakeland to be able to offer a perspective of being raised here travelling the world, living across the county, spreading my wings and coming home," she said.

What comes next in decision to replace Walker?

Debate on the final process to select Walker's replacement followed the interviews. They focused on whether to rank the candidates or some other system of evaluation.

"Just nominating someone out of the blue seems kind of random," said Musick.

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The commissioners decided they would each come up with four candidates and rank them one through four. The decision on the top finalist is expected at the Oct. 17 meeting. To avoid the ranking going public before the meeting, the commissioners decided to hold onto their rankings until the next meeting.

"We’ve had a great selection of people come forward here,” Read said.”

The candidate chosen to fill the seat will hold it for about one year. If the interim commissioner wants to continue their service, they would need to be re-elected by qualifying to be on the ballot in November 2023.

Paul Nutcher can be reached at pnutcher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Lakeland commissioners hear from candidates seeking Phillip Walker's seat