Rod Olsen
By Rod Olsen
In Summary:
In this guest column, Apopka resident Rod Olsen argues the city stands at a pivotal moment and should take steps to chart a new direction. Olsen calls for a strategic plan with measurable goals, stronger financial oversight, and a forensic audit to review past practices. He also outlines several policy ideas related to infrastructure, growth management, and citizen engagement.
*****
Editor's Note: Rod Olsen, an Apopka resident, frequent OP/ED contributor to The Apopka Voice, public commenter at City Council meetings, and former Rock Springs Ridge Homeowners Association President, says the city has reached a turning point and now has an opportunity to chart a new course. In this guest opinion column, Olsen outlines a series of reforms he believes could strengthen transparency, improve infrastructure planning, and restore public confidence in how the city operates.
Apopka has a real opportunity to move forward in a new direction.
This is a moment to objectively evaluate what we are doing well, what we are doing wrong, and what we can do better to improve our citizens' lives.
Related: Florida's school choice experiment is failing our children.
For too long, difficult issues have simply been kicked down the road. Now is the time to stop doing that.
This is our opportunity to move forward together through a clear strategic plan—one that establishes measurable goals, demands accountability, and restores confidence in how our city operates.
It is also an opportunity to right past wrongs and put in place objective checks and balances that ensure transparency and fairness for everyone.
If we are truly going to move forward together, we must be willing to celebrate what is working while honestly addressing what is not.
A new direction for Apopka should begin with a clear vision and a commitment to action, including:
- Conducting a forensic audit to identify any anomalies in past practices.
- Ensuring timely, fair, and accurate budgets, with monthly financial reviews and accountability for results.
- Establish preventive maintenance schedules for all city equipment and verify that those schedules are consistently followed.
- Correct life safety concerns to ensure the safety of our children, citizens, and visitors.
- Audit of all 323 miles of roads and sidewalks
- Addressing current and potential flooding issues throughout the city.
- Take charge of backflow preventers to protect the safety of our water system.
- Immediately replacing all non-functioning water meters
- Establish Committees to gain insight and direction for
- Explore all options related to Senate Bill 180 so that Apopka can pursue smart, measured growth with the infrastructure needed to support it.
- Downtown Apopka.
- Golden Gem Pond.
- An objective approach to considering the possible annexation of South Apopka.
- Personnel Committee to address Employee concerns
- Human Rights Commission to engage and address Citizen concerns related to allegations of discrimination.
- Objective field rental rates for Apopka-based youth sports organizations.
This is about moving forward together, a new day, a new way, and a renewed commitment to the citizens of Apopka.
Key Points:
- Rod Olsen says Apopka has an opportunity to move in a new direction and address long-standing issues.
- He proposes a forensic audit to examine past practices and improve transparency.
- Olsen calls for stronger financial oversight, including timely budgets and monthly financial reviews.
- He highlights infrastructure concerns such as road conditions, flooding, water meters, and the preventive maintenance of city equipment.
- The column also proposes new committees and policy discussions on topics including annexation, Senate Bill 180, youth sports field access, and citizen concerns.
