JUST WHAT IS THE STATE OF MOUNT DORA?

Every year cities throughout the state provide residents with a "State of the City".  In Mount Dora, the mayor provides that information to the public.  The annual State of the City was released in April.  Below are some excerpts of Mayor Nick Girone's address and the link to the entire document.  

​"As Mount Dora continues to grow toward the East and North, we are faced with two challenges:
1. Maintaining the quaintness and charm the founders of Mount Dora envisioned,
2. Initiating a set of goals that will allow controlled growth in response to the potential possibilities coming our way with the Wekiva Parkway being built at our doorstep, now only a few years from completion.

Both challenges can be met. The first is not debatable. Without a flourishing downtown and solid business foundation, our city would become just another place with a major highway running through its boundaries.

Our second challenge is a priority for our council: defining the goals and creating the action plans in 2016 for potential growth toward the North and East.

A decade ago the city council worked with the county to create a job-growth area at the northern and eastern edge of Mount Dora known as the 'Wolf Branch Innovation District.'  It is our responsibility as the City Council of 2016-2017 to turn those dreams into reality that will bring new tax revenues into our city operations.

Actions well done will deliver not only jobs in our city outside of our traditional tourist based jobs, but will bring the educational and medical advances to Mount Dora that will continue​to define our city as the very best place to live.  I am pleased we already have educational facilities, medical campuses, and high tech industries expressing interest in selecting Mount Dora as their future address. I have met with many of these corporations and I will continue to do so this year.

We need to continue to encourage planned, controlled growth by taking action steps to make it happen – we cannot just wait for new businesses to ‘discover’ Mount Dora. Our City Council, our citizen boards, our existing business owners, our citizens, our city organizations and our city staff need to work in unity to make our future happens in the way we plan.
I look forward to working with all our citizens, our businesses, our staff, our visitors and the city council in 2016 toward achieving our shared goals and dreams."  - Mayor Nick Girone

The year the Mayor Girone asked members of Mount Dora's citizen boards to provide their perspective to include in the State of the City.  Here are some of their words:

planning & zoning commission

““This is the year that past city plans will start to become a reality for bringing in new industry along the Wekiva Parkway corridor.  At our first meeting this year of the Planning & Zoning Commission, our board decided to use our collective experience and expertise in planning and zoning to contribute concepts and ideas that will help the city move forward in executing the goals set by the city council for this future growth area of Mount Dora.” - Denny Wood, Chairman Planning/Zoning Commission & Former Mount Dora City Councilman

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (CRA)

“Fresh ideas help our city stay vibrant. We can be proud that our city is now listed in international tourist guides. With the dedication of businesses, citizens, organizations and our city council, visitors continue to come to our area to keep it thriving.  We need to continue to work on how to free up parking spaces for shoppers down-town, and to make room for deliveries of daily supply trucks.” - Phil Bernard, member Community Redevelopment Agency
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NORTHEAST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (necra)

​“Grants have improved home health and safety. Commercial property needs regarding safety, storm water and site improvements are being addressed.  The Community Relations Officer’s presence has resulted in free preventive health services, charitable assistance to families, and improved relationships between the neighborhood and law enforcement." - Janet Manchon, member

historic preservation board

“Last year ordinances were stream-lined, and software implemented to help assure renovations on historic properties comply with our historic preservation codes. Our volunteer board and others in our city volunteer their time to defend our treasure – the Mount Dora Historic District.” - Michael Moecker, Vice Chairman Historic Preservation Board

Read the entire 2016 "State of the City" here.

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