By Marc Crail
District 4 City Council Representative

There was a large crown on hand in the Mount Dora Community Building for the November 16th City Council meeting. I've been through this changing of the guard a few times now and it still stirs my emotions to be sworn in along with the others who will make up our City Council. Many thanks go out to Mayor Cathy Hoechst, Harman Massey and Pam Burtnett who served our city and our citizens so well and so faithfully. Our new additions are Mayor Crissy Stile, and council members Nate Walker and John Cataldo. Their friends, relatives and supporters welcomed them as did the rest of your city council members. This was also the first meeting for our brand new City Manager, Patrick Comiskey who along with his family has arrived from Cambridge, Maryland only last weekend. New energy and ideas are always important as we move forward.

There is something uniquely American in a peaceful and respectful transition of government leaders. There were Boy Scouts in the audience learning about how our government works. I was reminded of a quote by Thomas Jefferson who wrote; "We do not have a government by the majority. We have government by the majority of those who participate." Thanks to everyone who participated in this democratic process and voted in the recent election.

As usual, I've selected several items from our agenda to tell you about today. I'm reporting as one individual, not on behalf of City Council as a whole.

All of your elected officials are obligated to study and follow the Florida Sunshine Law and Public Records laws. Our City Attorney provided us with a condensed synopsis of those requirements. Florida elected officials must take four hours of training every year to stay current on these subjects.

We voted 7-0 to make an application for a potential $550,000 African-American Cultural and Historical Grant that would require a $50,000 match from Mount Dora. If we get the grant, it will be used to help fund the major upgrades and renovations at Cauley Lott Park and to educate the public who visit there regarding the contributions of African-American residents and history in Mount Dora.

We also approved a series of measures all related in one way or another to the future construction of a mixed use Town Center style development  (442 apartments and commercial space) to be located between Round Lake Rd., Niles Rd. and SR 46. There will be many other steps involved as this concept moves forward. Questions were raised about the capacity of the city to provide water, sewer, reclaimed water, etc. for this project. We have the capacity to do that. This development will include connector roads and trails that will help ease and disperse traffic flow in the area.

To help several of our Council Members who have "day jobs" and to boost community member attendance at our Council meetings, beginning in January our meetings will begin at 6:00.

Since I snuck my quote for the day in earlier, I'll just close by saying how much I appreciate the opportunity to serve our wonderful community. Thanks for your ongoing interest in your city's government and please stay informed and involved.

By Marc Crail
District 4 City Council Representative

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