Lake Wales Municipal Elections for Seat 2
An editorial introduction of candidates
2024 is packed with important elections. The first of which is the Lake Wales Municipal Elections on April 2, 2024. Here is a brief introduction to the candidates for Seat 2 brought to you by The Lake Wales Voice.
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.
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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.