Who should sit in Seats #3 and #4? Apopka City Commission candidates make their case

In an age where online media often speaks louder than traditional forms of campaigning, The Apopka Voice has taken the reins of local democracy by hosting a digital forum for the 2024 Apopka City Commission candidates.

Here's how it works...

Each day this week, The Apopka Voice will ask the candidates one question pertaining to the biggest issues facing Apopka. All five candidates are given the opportunity to answer. The Apopka Voice will publish their responses each day.

Readers can compare and contrast each answer and decide which candidates best share their values and vision for Apopka. You can also ask questions under the article on our news site or Facebook page.

In an era where the online realm is increasingly the epicenter of civic engagement, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap between candidates and constituents, fostering an interactive and transparent dialogue that transcends the boundaries of traditional campaigning.

It's like a debate, town hall, and interview all wrapped into one.

The final question for the candidates is why are they the right choice for the city commission.

Nadia Anderson, candidate for Seat #3:

"I am a native of Apopka, a mom of Apopka students and a business owner in Apopka. I love our great city and care deeply about our city’s future. I have experienced our city’s transition from primarily agriculture to thousands of new families in all lines of work. I have also worked in both the public and private sector.  As I believe we can all agree, Apopka needs leaders who can put the division and incivility behind us and bring people together to make Apopka the thriving, caring, and neighborly community we all want. That’s where I believe my professional experience as a business owner, my deep roots in the community and my leadership style that brings people together will help reunite our city so we can concentrate on serving the citizens and helping Apopka achieve its full potential as the best place to live, work and raise a family.

As a parent of school-aged children, our schools and their safety will always be a priority. As a homeowner and taxpayer, I will find ways to lighten the tax burden on families and homeowners. As an entrepreneur, growing and diversifying our local economy will be paramount. Lastly, as someone who has experienced financial losses, I never give up and I don’t stop working. That’s my pledge to the citizens of Apopka - to bring that can-do attitude, professionalism, love for community, and work ethic to for the betterment of every resident of Apopka."

Darryl Richardson, candidate for Seat #3:

"This is a difficult question to answer without knowing much about the other candidates. I would not want to speculate about their qualifications for running in the same race as I am. I can only tell you who I am, and what drives me to help this city to move forward.

I am a person that has always been able to bring people together, even if they were perceived adversaries. Collaboration will be the key to success with the next City Commissioners; not just the ability to work with the other city commissioners and Mayor but to work together with city staff, county officials, and community organizations to achieve common goals and address challenges effectively. I have always been active in the community, participating in many city functions and events as a person and a business owner, listening actively to the constituents, and plan to continue this community engagement. As a commissioner, transparency and accountability will be a key focus to build trust back into the city government, I will commit to transparency and accountability governance, promising to keep constituents informed about decisions, policies, and financial matters. I would also present a clear vision for the future of Apopka and Innovative ideas to address current challenges. This may include proposals for economic development, infrastructure improvements, or sustainability initiatives. One major difference as a city commissioner would be making themselves accessible, the ability to speak with anyone at any time no matter who or what the topic is. There are many ways to accomplish this like holding town hall meetings, always maintaining an open-door policy to anyone, or utilizing technology to engage with the community. I would like to be a voice for the entire city, not just a select few communities. A city commissioner should maintain a commitment to fiscal responsibility, by demonstrating responsible budgeting, financial management, and ensuring the taxpayers that their tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively. At the end of this candidate selection process, the decision of Apopka residents should be guided by attributes that align with their needs within the community. The city policies and decisions are only as good as the people responsible for enacting them, your vote will determine who is best suited to move the city forward."

Eric Mock, candidate for Seat #4:

"I believe there is a distinct difference between my opponent in how I would conduct myself on the dais.  I’m a seasoned professional with years of experience in a highly regulatory field, leading organizations, facilitating daily operations, managing and developing budgets, while providing guidance to reach strategic goals and providing support and development for a large staff, I’m skilled at interacting with professional decorum and respectful communication, even when I have an opposing view.  

I listen carefully and weigh as much information as possible to understand before making a comment or directing an action.  As an example, the request for a forensic audit.  This request was made several council meetings ago and I’ve still not heard what the scope will be.  The only thing I’ve heard from my opponent is a full audit going back to 2018.  In my past business life, we were audited yearly as required by state law just as the City of Apopka.  Auditors follow a common set of 1.”accounting rules, requirements, and practices issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).”

To request a forensic audit, I’d be sure to have the evidence when making that statement.  Enough time has gone by to clearly explain what the scope should be.  Without a scope, unless the scope is a full audit back to 2018, no accounting firm will bid on the project.  Scope designates how much time will be needed to complete, personnel needed and what it will cost.  I’m not an accountant, but I’d be hard-pressed to think a full audit back to 2018 would cost less than $1,000,000, taking months to complete.

My experience in business provides me with an understanding of operations and what it takes to run smoothly, with focus, to ensure policies and processes are working to provide quality outcomes.  

Our current Charter does not provide for the Commissioner's management responsibilities of the administration functions of the city; the Mayor and city manager are responsible for this.  I would be respectful and allow these individuals to operate as they deem necessary.  If voters desire a change in administration, that opportunity will come in 2026.  If voters want a change in the way commissioners conduct themselves, that opportunity comes in March of 2024."

Ryan Tucker, candidate for Seat #3:

"What sets me apart from my opponents? Why would I be the best choice for Seat 3? Let me start my answer by saying I appreciate and respect my opponents. I think we all bring different skill sets to the table and Apopka would be in capable hands no matter who walks away with the win in March. However, with that being said: I believe my career experience, my passion and love for the City of Apopka and lifelong residency positions me in a unique way and makes me the best candidate to fill the void being left by the sitting commissioner in Seat 3.

I have had the privilege to work in various fields throughout my career, both in non- and for-profit arenas. These experiences have given me a well-rounded understanding of the importance of strategy, planning, follow-through, collaboration, transparency, and teamwork. All of which will be useful, and extremely important in leading well while holding this office.

My opponents have mentioned in other articles and interviews the importance of maintaining the charm and unique character of Apopka but no candidate for Seat 3 understands that charm and character like I do. I am a proud 3rd generation Apopkan and I have seen and experienced the growth of our great city on a far different level than my opponents. I remember when a lot of the roads I drive down daily were only dirt, and most of them not even there. There are standing developments in places where my friends and I used to hike, explore, and camp out. Apopka is unique, and we have an opportunity to continue to grow as a city with our small businesses, our recreational amenities and small-town feel, but I think this is only possible with someone in Seat 3 who can celebrate the past while casting an exciting vision for the future.

Many people have asked about my relationship with current leaders within City Hall and how that may or may not allow me to lead appropriately if elected, all I can say is this: I am not a pro-Nelson candidate and I am not an anti-Nelson candidate, I am a City of Apopka candidate. I am not a politician looking to launch into a new career path, I am citizen of the greatest town in Central Florida looking to help propel my city to new heights. I believe I am the best candidate to fill Seat 3 on the City Council come March 19th and I look forward to serving the residents of Apopka and helping to make a city that my children will be proud to call home when they grow up and have families of their own."

Commissioner Nick Nesta, incumbent candidate for Seat #4:

"The current City of Apopka Charter lacks clarity in reference to the role of a Commissioner. It is then left up to each elected Commissioner to seek to define and perhaps refine their role. 

For me, I have chosen to listen to those I serve and ask our residents of Apopka to share with me what they expect from me as the Commissioner who is there to serve them. 

When listening to the residents they have emphatically stated that they would like a Commissioner that is engaged, proactive, transparent, trustworthy, someone that will do their due diligence, someone that will ask the hard questions and finally someone that will be there for them when they’re in need. 

What sets me apart from my opponent and why I’m the best choice to return to City of Apopka Commissioner Seat 4, is that I’ve listened to the residents and became the Commissioner they want and need. 

I am actively engaged in the community tangibly and intangibly. I have helped protect residences from flooding, I have negotiated with developers to improve our infrastructure, I have helped fill sandbags during hurricanes for residents that were in need, I have advocated to keep taxes low through strategic investments and I have communicated effectively to the residents what the Council is voting on and why I vote the way I do, to name a few. 

On my website, NickforApopka.com I have listed my pledges and how I have achieved and will continue to achieve the commitments I made when I was elected less than two years ago.

I have asked the hard questions and advocated for transparency and one instance where attempts to thwart freedom of speech occurred.

As your re-elected Commissioner, I absolutely intend to continue the level of service I have provided to date and more since I was elected.

I am the best person for the job. 

I am THE proven candidate with a proven record of success and will continue to serve YOU."

• For the first forum on the Apopka City Charter, go here.
• For the second forum on the Apopka City Center, go here.
• For the third forum on managing Apopka's growth, go here.
• For the fourth forum on Apopka's Moonshot, go here.