Seat #1 and #2 candidates respond to State of the City Address

The VOICE of Apopka Politics: Decision Apopka 2018

The Candidates: In their own words

Change has been a constant on the Apopka City Council. That's a by-product of six straight incumbents losing elections to their opponents over the last three election cycles. It's the purest form of term limits to let the voters decide.

Possibly because of the fluidity of the Apopka City Council, there are nine candidates running for Mayor, Seat #1, and Seat #2. Only two of them are incumbents, and only three have been elected to office. Six of these candidates are running in an Apopka election for the very first time.

The Apopka Voice reached out to all of these new candidates for their thoughts on Mayor Joe Kilsheimer's State of the City Address. Five of them responded. Their thoughts and comments are as diverse as the candidates themselves. Some were critical, some supportive, while others had very specific issues.

Here are their responses, in their own words:

Gene Knight: Seat #1 candidate

Gene Knight: "I support all commercial owners in their endeavors to fix up their properties to entice new business to come to Apopka. We are looking for sustainable businesses that can employee higher paying jobs for our citizens."

"The address was a lot of news that the city of Apopka already knew. There was a lot of city staff in attendance, but not many citizens. I am hoping that the City considers doing events like this during evening hours or on the weekends so more citizens could attend. There was mention of shopping centers fixing up their storefronts and bringing in business. I support all commercial owners in their endeavors to fix up their properties to entice new business to come to Apopka. We are looking for sustainable businesses that can employee higher paying jobs for our citizens. One thing I heard at the address was the building of more single-family housing. A question for the City is have we contacted our county to speak about where the children from these homes will be going to school? Apopka schools are already filled to capacity. For Apopka to continue having good schools we need to make sure we have enough resources and space for the children. Houses are popping up, but schools are not expanding at the same pace. On a good note, the hospital opening today was once just an idea 20 years ago that is nice to see come to almost a full completion of a fire station. This is a great step to support the growth we are having here in Apopka. Together we can make a difference and remember we are one Apopka.

Theresa Mott: Seat #1 candidate

Theresa Mott: As a 19-year Apopka business owner, it's promising to see potential opportunities for growth with anchors of that level. Two of my campaign issues are economic development and improving transportation. So, I am looking forward to using my experience in achieving these goals to make Apopka better for everyone!"

"I found the Mayor's State of the City Address informative and promising for Apopka.

The focus on infrastructure and capital investment are great moves because it's imperative to strengthen our platform to maintain/attract residents and businesses. In fact, I represent Apopka on MetroPlan Orlando's Community Advisory Committee - a metropolitan planning organization which ensures the public has the opportunity to review and evaluate all proposed transportation plans and programs. And, I often vote in support of multi-million dollar improvements for Apopka road projects by, the Florida Department of Transportation, Central Florida Expressway, etc. Constituents regularly share their frustration with me about traffic congestion in the 441/436 area, so it's wonderful that a solution is coming to fruition.

Also, the $200 million investment and 300 jobs from Florida Hospital Apopka along with The City Center, which includes Hilton Garden Inn Hotel are excellent additions to the community. As a 19-year Apopka business owner, it's promising to see potential opportunities for growth with anchors of that level. Two of my campaign issues are economic development and improving transportation. So, I am looking forward to using my experience in achieving these goals to make Apopka better for everyone!"

Leroy Bell: He (Kilsheimer) also spoke about the redevelopment of 5th and 6th Street, but never once did he say anything about 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th or Hawthorne, and never mentioned South Apopka again.

Leroy Bell: Seat #2 candidate

"I think it was a good campaign speech. The mayor spoke about the hospital and new expansion, and for all the new residents moving to northwest Apopka that heard this campaign speech, they probably thought he was the architect of all these things happening in Apopka. He also spoke about the redevelopment of 5th and 6th Street, but never once did he say anything about 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th or Hawthorne, and never mentioned South Apopka again. I think it was a pretty good campaign speech for the newcomers to Apopka."

Alicia Koutsoulieris: Seat #2 candidate

Alicia Koutsoulieris: "The event I am most excited about is the creation of the Apopka City Center. This development will provide more revenue to our city and create additional job opportunities for our residents."

"Mayor Kilsheimer's State of the City address on Monday was the perfect combination of the year in review and exciting things to come. Partnering with organizations such as Florida Hospital and the University of Central Florida is vital to the growth of our community. The event I am most excited about is the creation of the Apopka City Center. This development will provide more revenue to our city and create additional job opportunities for our residents."

Suzanne Kidd: Seat #1 candidate

Suzanne Kidd: "We can look forward to a new hotel, a splash pad, fitness trail, creation of public gathering spaces, and rebuilding the recreation center at Alonzo Williams Park. Apopka's truly moving forward."

"By any historical measure, 2017 has been a momentous year for Apopka. Our quality of life has made tremendous strides forward in the areas of health, safety, transportation, and amenities. It has been a year of "NEWs": new hospital, new fire stations, new highway interchanges, new restaurants, housing, shopping, and commercial developments, and new recreation spaces. Looking ahead, 2018 promises equally exciting projects, especially downtown. We can look forward to a new hotel, a splash pad, fitness trail, creation of public gathering spaces, and rebuilding the recreation center at Alonzo Williams Park.

Apopka's truly moving forward. This is an amazing time to live in Apopka!"