In 2018, Alexander Smith won an iconic seat on the Apopka City Council previously held by Commissioners Alonzo Williams and Billie Dean. Both Williams and Dean served 24 years apiece on the city commission before retiring and had buildings and parks named after them.
In 2022, Smith was re-elected without a challenger for Seat #1 - the first commissioner since Dean in 2014 to run unopposed.
By all accounts, Smith is a popular commissioner. He is probably best known for his trademark dapper suits with colorful ties and socks. He is soft spoken, and often quiet at Council meetings. His life story is an inspiring tale of hard work, determination with priorities placed on education, and community.
It's a unique take on the American Dream.
He attends almost every event scheduled in Apopka, but his recent absences from Council meetings is becoming alarming - particularly the last one.
At the Apopka City Council's July 5th meeting, Vice Mayor/Commissioner Kyle Becker proposed a censure dealing with allegedly misleading statements made by Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson about the employment status of former City Attorney Michael Rodriguez. Nelson requested the censure be tabled until the July 19th meeting to give him an opportunity to respond, and Smith agreed.
"I would like for us to put it on the agenda for the next meeting," Smith said. "Because I would like to go back and look at the meeting that I was absent for (the June 21st meeting)."
But earlier, Smith told the Council he would be absent from the July 19th meeting - a fact Commissioner Diane Velazquez reminded Smith of.
"That's the date you're not going be here for... the next meeting, Commissioner Smith," she said. "You said you're not going to be here for the next meeting."
"Correct," said Smith.
Because of Smith's announced absence at the July 19th meeting, the referendum was put on the agenda for August 2nd so that Smith could participate in the censure and be prepared.
But then Smith missed the August 2nd meeting.
It was the second straight City Council meeting Smith missed and his third absence out of the last six.
The Apopka Voice sent multiple text messages to Smith on Wednesday and Thursday, asking his reason for missing the meeting, but Smith did not respond.
In an email sent to Nelson inquiring about Smith, he said he did not know why the commissioner was not in attendance.
Commissioners Becker and Nesta were also contacted by The Apopka Voice and confirmed they were not aware Smith would be absent.
Commissioner Velazquez told The Apopka Voice that she heard Smith would miss the meeting from interim city administrator Chuck Vavrek.
"I learned Commissioner Smith would not be in attendance at the Council meeting on 8/2/2023 from interim Chief Administrator Vavrek at my agenda review, late afternoon Tuesday, August 1st. Commissioner Smith’s absence was verified just before Public Council meeting on Wednesday, 8/2/2023. Mr. Vavrek said Commissioner Smith was out of town when he shared that Commissioner Smith would not be present at ‘tomorrow’s council meeting..’"
The Apopka Voice emailed Vavrek for confirmation, but did not receive a reply.
According to posts on his Facebook page, Smith attended a meeting of the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District board on Friday, and the Apopka Dog Mayor election on Saturday. He also posted about a Health Summit he attended at the Apopka City Center Hilton Garden Inn and the Amazing Shake Camp at Dream Lake Elementary on July 27th, and the Best Foot Forward event on July 26th.
With Smith not in attendance, the Council voted 3-1 to censure Nelson. It was the first Apopka mayor censured by its City Council.
When engaged, and present, Smith champions a range of important issues. He called for a South Apopka Annexation Committee, wrote an editorial about annexing South Apopka, and said he would spend $10 million out of Apopka's general fund reserves to make it happen. He called for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and a plan to make housing more affordable in Apopka at a May 3rd, 2021 meeting.
Smith is often quiet on Council and sometimes has to be prompted to speak, but he is an important member of a group of five deciding vital matters for the community. His perspective on issues is unlike any other on Council, which is in many ways the point of a five-member Council.
But more importantly, making a commitment to be part of the Apopka City Council representing 55,000 residents means absences have to be rare. Trips to Africa are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Natural gas conventions in Arizona are important too. But missing a crucial meeting with agenda items held over specifically for Smith's benefit cannot happen unless there is an emergency.
It seems simplistic, but if every Council member missed three out of six meetings, City business would grind to a halt. It's also important that each member come fully prepared, knowing the agenda well, and openly participating in discussions for each item that is debated.
The City Council's role should be more than casting a vote.
In the case of Smith, his passion for helping those people struggling in the community is without a doubt at the core of his heart. This is what he said at a meeting to discuss annexing South Apopka.
"In order to understand the fight, you have to have been there," said Smith. "My Grandfather had a third-grade education. My mom had a ninth-grade education, and my father had a sixth-grade education. My grandfather always told me that each generation preceded the next generation, and being a product of South Apopka, I've lived there and I've seen it. Now understand, I've worked in those greenhouses and the nurseries. I worked in the orange groves, I worked in the muck. And so I've been through all those things where I can relate to what's taking place. And it's always been my point that it doesn't matter about the balance. You can't put a price on human life. It's the right thing to do. The City of Apopka has benefited greatly from the residents that live in South Apopka. Some of them are suffering financially, spiritually, and healthwise as a result of the contribution that they have made to the City of Apopka. It's the right thing to do."
The passion and commitment are clearly present in Smith. That's why his attendance and his voice are vitally required to make the Council the best it can be.
Editor's Note: The Apopka Voice added the charter absence section after the article was published.
