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Nesta proposes Apopka government restructuring; former campaign manager expresses interest in chief of staff role

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Meet Apopka’s Next Police Chief: Dr. Lovetta Quinn-Henry will tackle crime with compassion
With decades of law enforcement experience and a doctorate focused on how officers use employee assistance programs, Dr. Lovetta Quinn-Henry believes prevention is more powerful than punishment. Her vision for Apopka includes peer specialists, improved housing, and proactive support to stop the cycle of addiction, homelessness, and crime before it starts. more
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Apopka shouldn't be forced to vote in the dark
The Apopka City Council’s decision to align the charter amendment vote with the March 2026 mayoral election may save money and boost turnout, but it sacrifices clarity. Voters will be asked to choose a mayor without knowing whether that office will retain authority or be reduced to a figurehead under a new form of government. Opinion by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Cleanup workers try to scoop up all the toxic globs on Pensacola Beach from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill. Now BP is back with a new deepwater drilling plan.
BP is back 15 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, with plans to drill even deeper
BP is seeking approval for a massive new Gulf oil project—dubbed “Kaskida”—just 15 years after its Deepwater Horizon disaster poisoned U.S. coastlines, wildlife, and livelihoods. Environmentalists warn that this deeper, riskier well could unleash another catastrophe, but federal regulators seem poised to give BP the green light. more
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Florida’s school choice experiment is failing our children
Florida leaders call the state a national model in education because of its school choice program. But with dismal academic rankings, near-bottom teacher pay, and a voucher system that tilts the scales toward private schools, the reality is far from a success story. more
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Susan Sarandon (Annie Savoy) and Kevin Costner (Crash Davis) in Bull Durham.
Believing in Apopka: What Bull Durham can teach the City Council
In a city with so much potential, Apopka’s future depends on leaders willing to articulate their vision. Residents deserve more than silence and half-measures — they deserve clarity, conviction, and a plan for the next generation. Opinion, by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Florida wildlife commissioners ignore science, law in saying yes to bear hunt
Florida’s black bears face a controversial new hunting season after the DeSantis-appointed wildlife commission voted to allow annual hunts despite strong public opposition and outdated population data. Environmental group Bear Warriors United has filed a lawsuit to block the hunt, arguing it violates science, law, and the commission’s own management plan. more
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West Hudson Boulevard, where seven-year-old Legend Jenkins was killed.
The road that killed 7-year-old Legend Jenkins was working exactly as designed
When 7-year-old Legend Jenkins was struck and killed crossing West Hudson Boulevard, prosecutors charged his parents with manslaughter. But pedestrian advocates argue the real culprit is a roadway designed to make tragedies inevitable — a problem repeated in communities across the country. more
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Hurricane Helene swirls toward Florida. In its aftermath, the Legislature passed a law tying the hands of local government when it comes to development and slipped it into a measure that looked like help for hurricane victims.
Florida cities and Orange County line up to defy new pro-developer state law
Across Florida, local governments are defying a new state law that limits their authority over land use and development, pushing back against powerful developers and the DeSantis administration. From Orange County to Deltona and Manatee County, these scrappy underdogs are challenging SB 180 in court, determined to protect wetlands, curb sprawl, and defend local democracy. more
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How to make Apopka stronger with four hours and a shovel
In Lynchburg, Virginia, a group of volunteers turned overgrown, nearly impassable sidewalks near schools and a bus stop into safe, walkable spaces — all without waiting for government task forces or big budgets. Their “Pavement Party” demonstrates the power of community stewardship and cooperation to create safer, more connected neighborhoods. more
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Analysis: Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race becomes a three-way battle
The 2026 Apopka mayor’s race is officially a three-way contest as political newcomer Matt Aungst jumps in with a $265,000 self-funded campaign. Who holds the advantage heading into March? The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell offers an early analysis of the race. more
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Should America sprawl? Not if we want strong towns
While The New York Times piece “Why America Should Sprawl” argues that metro expansion is the key to solving America’s housing crisis, Strong Towns pushes back, calling sprawl a financial trap that weakens cities over time. There’s been a lot of buzz around Conor … more
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Seeing a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the St. Johns River has become more common as more pollution flows into the river from toxic sewage sludge.
Toxic sludge is tainting Florida’s longest river, with no solution in sight
Despite its historical significance and ecological value, the St. Johns River has become increasingly burdened by nutrient pollution from sewage sludge and agricultural runoff—issues that reflect a broader pattern of human-caused harm to Florida’s waterways. more
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What happens when housing prices go down (because they are)?
A growing number of housing markets are seeing prices soften, but instead of spurring more construction, falling prices are causing builders, lenders, and policymakers to pull back—revealing deep fragility in the nation’s housing system. A Strong Towns approach argues that true affordability will only come through small‑scale, locally driven solutions rather than top‑down financial engineering. more
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Apopka City Hall
Developers before residents? That’s not how Apopka’s chain of command should work
Mayor Bryan Nelson’s decision to move public comments ahead of the invocation and pledge has ignited criticism that City Hall is prioritizing developers’ convenience over residents’ voices. more
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Silver Glen Springs in Marion County.
Private company controls access to public land at Florida national park
Hikers and campers in Florida’s Ocala National Forest are seeing steep price hikes at popular springs, with entry fees rising from $5.50 to $13 per person and a new $20 parking charge. Critics say private concessionaires like Naventure are profiting from public lands while ranger staffing and services decline nationwide. more
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Coalition blasts FWC’s proposed black bear hunt as privatized trophy plan
Sierra Club Florida, Speak Up for Wildlife, and a growing coalition released a fact sheet detailing nine major flaws in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s proposed black bear hunt. Critics say the plan rewards wealthy landowners, revives inhumane hunting methods, and strips Floridians of public accountability in wildlife management. more
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Apopka City Hall.
Apopka's budget process leaves residents in the dark
The Apopka budget process was marked by late-arriving information, shifting numbers, and a lack of transparency that left both commissioners and residents unable to make informed decisions. Opinion, by Apopka resident Rod Olsen. more
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Apopka City Hall
A budget isn't a spreadsheet, it's a mirror
Apopka’s proposed 2025–26 budget keeps the millage rate and outlines departmental needs, but offers no big-picture vision or funding for long-promised projects like a public safety complex or the homeless crisis. Opinion, by The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell. more
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Many of Florida’s springs are owned by taxpayers, such as Silver Springs, which is famed for its glass-bottomed boats. But the DEP has been dragging its feet about cleaning up pollution in the springs, despite a state law requiring it to be done.
DEP once again fails Florida springs, won’t push polluters
Florida’s iconic springs, once celebrated as “bowls of liquid light,” are now drowning in pollution as the state agency tasked with protecting them delays real action and bends to polluter interests. more
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Moore: "Apopka deserves a smarter, transparent budget process"
In a close look at both the Orange County and City of Apopka budgets, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore highlights how the county’s structured, data-driven process supports sound decisions and public confidence. Moore calls for Apopka to adopt similar transparency, professional estimates, and long-range planning to meet residents’ needs. more
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Waco, Texas.
Why Walkability and Community Matter: Lessons on building the perfect city
Author Chris Arnade, a former Wall Street trader with a PhD in physics, argues that cities thrive when they foster social connectedness, walkability, and functional communities. His insights challenge leaders to rethink city planning, from sidewalks and density to preserving suburban character. more
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A Health Department sign warns swimmers about polluted water at the beach.
Sewage spills are getting worse all over the state, but funds for testing waterways are drying up
Florida’s sewage crisis is bubbling to the surface—again—as spills, aging infrastructure, and political neglect threaten the state’s beaches, waterways, and public health. Opinion and Commentary from Craig Pittman of the Florida Phoenix. more
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The West Orange Trailhead in Apopka.
Grassroots effort revitalizes Apopka’s stretch of the West Orange Trail
Years of community advocacy and volunteer action have breathed new life into the West Orange Trail through Apopka’s District 2. With support from local groups, county agencies, and student organizations, the once-overlooked corridor is becoming a model of safety, beauty, and civic pride. more
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The boardwalk at Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park has been closed for repairs for nearly two years, but the Legislature wants to cut spending on our popular state parks.
Florida lawmakers save state parks from golf, then yank away funding for preserving land
Despite bipartisan support in 2023 for using gaming revenue to protect public lands and water resources, the new budget proposal redirects those funds, leaving programs like Florida Forever unfunded and critical conservation initiatives in jeopardy. more
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Legislature wants to make it impossible for local governments to build back better after hurricanes
Pittman: “How did we get here? Bear in mind that we’re a state surrounded on three sides by water, so we’re especially vulnerable to a rising sea level. Yet our state has seen rampant overdevelopment in flood-prone spots in recent years.” more
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