Gillespie’s campaign team was initially unveiled on her official campaign web page. The list included various individuals who were supporting her bid for the City Commission. Among them was Robert Connors, the editor of LakeWalesNews.net. Connors’ inclusion raised eyebrows, as it suggested a close association between the local media outlet and Gillespie’s campaign.

Source: lakewalesnews.net Mar 17, 2024

The Quiet Removal

However, shortly after Connors’ name was made public it mysteriously disappeared from the published team list. The removal was swift and discreet, leaving many wondering about the reasons behind this sudden change. Was it a strategic move to distance Gillespie’s campaign from the media? Or was there more to the story?

Source: Carol Gillespie’s campaign website Feb 21, 2024

Acknowledging the Facts

Neither Connors nor Gillespie has publicly addressed the situation. The absence of an official statement has fueled speculation and fueled rumors. Some speculate that Connors’ journalistic integrity may have been compromised by his involvement in the campaign. Others wonder if Gillespie herself requested the removal to avoid any appearance of bias.

The Larger Implications

This incident highlights the delicate balance between media independence and political affiliations. As an editor, Connors plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion through LakeWalesNews.net. His inclusion in Gillespie’s campaign team raises questions about journalistic ethics and transparency. Should media professionals actively participate in political campaigns, or should they maintain a neutral stance?

Conclusion

As the election draws near, voters must consider these nuances. Gillespie’s campaign promises to address rapid development and environmental concerns in Lake Wales. However, the shadow of Connors’ involvement looms over her bid. Ultimately, it is up to the voters to decide whether this controversy impacts their perception of Gillespie’s candidacy.

Note: LakeWalesNews.net has not officially commented on Connors’ role in the campaign, and Connors himself has remained silent on the matter.

Cowart accused the LWPD and the Chief of racism in the process but the letter describes Slaton’s concerns over nepotism and a lack of transparency and seems to indicate that this most recent event was part of a larger problem of poor handling of internal administration and public relations by the Chief. The letter then states Velasquez will be placed upon unpaid leave for three days beginning Monday, March 18, and Slaton will initiate a search for a new Police Chief in April.

Neither Slaton nor Velasquez have made any public comment. Lake Wales Voice reached out to Mayor Jack Hilligoss early this morning. He said Slaton had informed him, and he believed the rest of the City Commissioners individually, when the controversy over the promotion first came to light. Slaton informed the Mayor that he was initiating an investigation into the recent promotion because there did seem to be problems.

“I know this had to be a very difficult decision for our City Manager to make,” Mayor Hilligoss said. “I respect both of these men and feel like they both have served our city well. I have a high level of confidence that Mr. Slaton did a thorough investigation and made the decision he felt had to be made. With the information I have, that is the best I can say at the moment.”

Daniel Krueger, Incumbent for Seat 4

Commissioner Daniel Krueger has served in a steady and capable way in his two-year tenure. Krueger lists managing growth, economic development, and bringing greater unity to the City as his priorities. His voting record and activities both as a citizen and a member of the City CRA evidence his commitment to those priorities. While expressing concern that the City retain control of its own zoning decisions and carefully access both market ability and affordability of TND design, Krueger voted in favor of adoption of the Lake Wales Envisioned plan and has been involved in adopting zoning rewrites that will help it be enacted. He has approved several major financial investments in the Northwest Neighborhood of Lake Wales and supported the building of new homes there.

Krueger supported the arrival of Advanced Drainage Systems to Lake Wales against an organized disinformation campaign and has supported the city’s partnership with Retail Strategies. Krueger also supported the establishment of a 180 Utility Service and the implementation of a multi-modal fee on new development. Both actions make the implementation of Lake Wales Envisioned possible and were done before Dover-Kohl came on the scene. Krueger along with Williams encouraged the City to take control of the old YMCA and convert it to a City Recreation Center which has been a great benefit for Lake Wales.

Carol Gillespie, Candidate for Seat 4

Carol Gillespie is a retired attorney who moved to Lake Wales upon her retirement. She has never served in any capacity within the city of Lake Wales and has never held elected office. Because she has no track record, we can only write of her stated objectives. Gillespie, like Alvarado, lists controlling growth and supporting the Lake Wales Envisioned plan as her chief objectives. All five current Commissioners voted to commission the work on and for the adoption of the Lake Wales Envisioned Plan, so it is difficult to see what new ideas she brings to the table.

On her campaign Facebook page, Gillespie sites two articles published by lakewalesnews.net as evidence the current Commissioners are not doing their jobs well. Both of those articles have been shown to be full of inaccuracies in recent meetings and one inappropriately targeted local business owners in the Northwest area of town. Gillespie has only spoken at a City Commission meeting once, and that was to speak against the newly established business incubator on Lincoln Avenue.

Her lack of critical reading of the news may be connected to the fact Robert Connors who is an editor of lakewalesnews.net was listed as a voter outreach member of her campaign team. However, once word spread of this connection her campaign website was later altered to remove Conners from the list.

BEFORE:

web.archive.org/web/20240221213746/https://carolgillespiecampaign.com/team-members/

NOW:

https://carolgillespiecampaign.com/team-members/

Gillespie has no leadership or voting record in Lake Wales however she has shared her belief that all government vehicles should be electric, all future homes built should be required to have 220 volt outlets in their garages for electric vehicles, EV charging stations should be installed in all public parking at the city’s expense. These are the only policy statements that distinguish her in any way from the current commissioners.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=694676906110009

Gillespie receives publicity through her campaign team, articles written on lakewalesnews.net, and by the Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus.

The Lake Wales Voice encourages all citizens to vote in the upcoming municipal elections on April 2.

Mail in Voting Update:

Following a new Florida law, all voters who would like to vote by mail in upcoming elections, including the 2024 Presidential Election, must submit a new request. Even if you have voted by mail in the past, the law says you need to renew.

Mail-in-Ballot Request Form (polkelections.com)

Daniel Williams, Incumbent for Seat 2

Born and raised in Lake Wales, Florida; Commissioner Daniel Williams is the Senior Pastor of The Family Church in Lake Wales. He assumed that position after a career serving foster and adoptive children and families with Heartland for Florida. An energetic and engaged leader, he brings experience in organizational leadership and community service to his position. He has been a leader in bringing new affordable housing and refurbishing homes in the Northwest neighborhood of Lake Wales. He has been progressive in his view of growth but voted against developers when they were unwilling to work with our city staff to meet our aspirations for superior development.

A vocal supporter of economic development, Commissioner Williams championed the city’s partnership with Retail Strategies which has led to several new businesses coming to Lake Wales. Williams supported the location of Advanced Drainage Systems to Lake Wales against an organized disinformation campaign to keep it out because he knew it would bring good jobs here. He supported the adoption of the Lake Wales Envisioned Plan and is, along with all the current Commissioners, working to draft city codes to effectively implement that plan. During his time on the Commission, Williams supported the establishment of a 180 Utility Service area which makes the implementation of Lake Wales Envisioned a possibility. He also voted in favor of the implementation of a multi-modal fee on new development. This revenue funds development of foot paths, bike trails, and street upkeep with less reliance on sources outside of our city. Williams also encouraged the City to take control of the old YMCA and convert it to a City Recreation Center. He has a three-year track record as an effective Commissioner.

Commissioner Williams took office on May 4, 2021. His campaign team is made up of family members, community leaders, and members of his local congregation.

Brandon Alvarado, Candidate for Seat 2

Brandon Alvarado is a recent graduate of Lake Wales High School and has never held an elected office but has engaged in several volunteer and appointed positions in the City, including the Lake Wales Historical Society. Because he has never held any elected position, little is known of specific ideas he would bring to the Commission. The priorities he lists on his campaign materials are “Responsible growth, Economic Prosperity, and Uniting Lake Wales.” These priorities would be echoed by any person currently on the Commission. Where he has offered responses to questions, Alvarado has simply referred to the Lake Wales Envisioned and Lake Wales Connected plans as his guide. The Lake Wales Connected plan is already being effectively advanced by the City Commission and all five Commissioners voted in favor of the Lake Wales Envisioned plan. So there seems to be little of any difference he would offer.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=714145180829848

Alvarado seems to be a decent and well-meaning young man, but he has never led any sizeable organization. He has not published any information about a campaign team. He recently spoke at the February meeting of the Rainbow Ridge LGBTA Democratic Caucus which held their meeting at the Wales Pointe Restaurant on Park Avenue in Lake Wales.

Crystal Brewer-Higbee, Candidate for Seat 2

Crystal Brewer-Higbee currently serves as the CEO of Circle of Friends Ministry in Lake Wales. She has been involved in many service organizations within the City over the years. Higbee has said very little publicly about policy or any specific reasons why she has chosen to run. Most of her statements have to do with concerns of business owners in the downtown area of Lake Wales and with being an “advocate” for all people in the city. While these are noble aspirations, they are shared by all the current Commissioners and one searches in vain to find anything that makes her candidacy distinctive.

The Lake Wales Voice encourages all citizens to vote in the upcoming municipal elections on April 2.

Mail in Voting Update:

Following a new Florida law, all voters who would like to vote by mail in upcoming elections, including the 2024 Presidential Election, must submit a new request. Even if you have voted by mail in the past, the law says you need to renew.

Mail-in-Ballot Request Form (polkelections.com)