What motivates you to seek or retain this Commission seat? As a long-time Winter Haven resident, I am passionate about my city and its success. To this end, we must engage our citizens and make government responsive and accountable to them. We must focus on local economic development. We must raise the level of academic achievement by fostering partnership between citizens,educators, local businesses, and the city. I am dedicated to making a positive difference for our future.

What unique qualities do you or will you bring to the City Commission. I have 12 years of City and County government experience, and 7 years experience as a realtor. I have expertise in development, planning, utilities operations, and real estate, and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. I managed multi-million dollar projects and budgets, have the ideas necessary to move Winter Haven forward, and a history of getting the job done. I want to put my skills to work for our citizens and our city.

What do you believe is Winter Haven’s greatest opportunity at the moment. Our greatest opportunity at the moment is to create local jobs. We do this through the creation of real economic incentives that encourage existing businesses to expand, and attract new businesses. We must build a positive relationship with our citizens, listen, and keep them actively engaged in civic life. And, we must highlight our unique features, like the Chain of Lakes.

What in your opinion is the greatest challenge currently facing Winter Haven. While families and small businesses pinch pennies to get by, property values have plummeted, fees are rising, and the city is $90 million in debt. Restoring fiscal stability and security is the greatest challenge our city faces.

How would you address the challenge you listed in the previous question. The city can provide some relief to residents by eliminating the automatic increase on water, sewer, garbage, and trash bills. This is possible through improved operating efficiency and responsible spending. We need to create a true partnership with Legoland through annexation since they are using our water and sewer and will have fire and police protection from the City. Annexation will eliminate the County Fire Tax for Legoland and decrease their water/sewer rate by 25%. The increase in tax base from Legoland will generate additional revenue for the City. Together we will both prosper.

Name one thing the City has done in the last 5 years that you would do differently. We must promote a more open and transparent government, where citizens are encouraged to participate, and feel that their opinions can make a positive difference for our future. Public officials must be responsive to those who elect them to office.

From your perspective, what industry segments drive Winter Haven’s economy. There are several industries that drive Winter Haven’s economy, including large employment centers such as Polk State College, State Farm, Wal-Mart distribution center, and Winter Haven Hospital. Legoland, once annexed into the City and CSX once it is built will also be beneficial to our community.

There are a number of potential economic incentives designed to attract new businesses and jobs. Which incentives do you believe hold the greatest potential for Winter Haven? The city has few incentives to encourage economic growth. We must create a local economic development council. Local leaders can develop sensible incentives to help local companies expand, and attract new ones. In addition, Winter Haven government must do business in Winter Haven. Each year millions of our tax payer dollars go to companies outside of Winter Haven and Polk County. Whether it’s re-development or new construction; in Downtown or Florence Villa; at the airport or Southeast; contracting with local engineering and construction firms creates local jobs, and helps drive the local economy. Let’s keep Winter Haven money in Winter Haven and get our citizens back to work.

In your estimation, what is our city’s greatest single asset? Winter Haven’s single greatest asset is the Chain of Lakes. The Chain has been around since the start of Winter Haven and sets our town apart from any other. We can use the chain as our own marketing tool to attract visitors to stay in Winter Haven.

What would you do to protect and enhance the asset you listed in the previous question? The city can protect the Chain of Lakes by renewing its partnership with the Canal Commission and Chamber. Together they can complete beautification projects and deepen the canals to improve navigation between lakes. The Chain of Lakes is what makes our City so unique and we need to take advantage of this opportunity.

What makes you better qualified to serve the citizens of Winter Haven than your opponent? I’m a better candidate for Seat 3 because of my experience, education and ability to get things done. I have a passion for our City and a willingness to listen to the people. I will encourage participation from the public and listen to their needs. Together, we can make a positive difference for our future.

Winter Haven is currently celebrating its Centennial year. From your perspective, list five important moments in the city’s history that occurred here in the past 100 years. 1884, the Harris and Eycleshimer families arriving in what would be called Winter Haven in 1911, 1915 Chain of Lakes canal system, 1930 Publix Supermarkets, 1936 Cypress Gardens, Polk Community College becoming Polk State College

The Chamber will present a City Commission Candidate Forum Breakfast Wednesday, August 31 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Chamber Auditorium. Cost is $15. Click here to RSVP.

Dinner Menu by Terri Lobb Catering …

Tender Beef Medallions with Mushroom Demi Glace

Baby Roasted Potatoes topped with Caramelized Vidalia Onions

Steamed Haricot Vert with Roasted Tomatoes

Freshly Baked Yeast Rolls

Herbed Butter Florettes

Chocolate Decadence Cake with Raspberry Coulis

Tea, Coffee and Water

Complimentary Wine & Beer will be served.

Following dinner we will present a Centennial Video produced by Potthast Studios followed by awards, installation of officers and passing of the Presidential gavel featuring our honored guests, Past Chamber Presidents from throughout the years.

The evening will end with dancing to the

Centennial Celebration Brass

featuring danceable favorites old and new.

Seating is limited. Early reservations are recommended.

We guarantee an evening of sparkling fun you will long remember.

Black-tie optional. Doors open at 6:30 and Dinner begins at 7:15 p.m.

Return your response card or register on line here.

While seating lasts – deadline for reservations: Thursday, September 23, 2010

Join us on Tuesday evening, September 28 as we celebrate the Centennial Annual Meeting of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. It will be a special evening of entertainment, awards, reflection, recognition, installation of officers and a look to the our second century!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 – Nora Mayo Hall

6:30 p.m. Reception – 7:15 p.m. Dinner

Black-tie optional

$75 per person / $650 reserved corporate or group table of eight

Watch your mail for formal invitation or make your reservations with MasterCard/Visa here.

]]> http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/come-celebrate-the-chambers-centennial-annual-meeting/feed/ 0 http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/why-disney-chose-central-florida/ http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/why-disney-chose-central-florida/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:36:24 +0000 Bob Gernert http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/?p=2265 Continue reading →]]> Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 15 as the Chamber presents a special breakfast program with new insights as to how and why Disney chose Central Florida.

45 years ago this June, Walt Disney made the landmark decision to build his new Disney World project in Central Florida. A recently published book gives the fullest account yet of this momentous event that forever changed the Central Florida landscape. Entitled, “Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World,” the book unearths the fascinating process Walt and his leadership team followed to identify the perfect location for this “Disneyland East” and the clandestine methods they used to secure tens of thousands of acreage on which to build the vacation kingdom.

This multimedia presentation will provide attendees with a unique look at the following:

1. How and why Walt Disney selected Central Florida for his Disneyland East project–code named “Project Future”

2. How Disney and his team used clever and novel strategies to obtain roughly 27,000 acres without the secret getting out

3. How Disney and his team worked with the Florida state legislature to create the unique Reedy Creek Improvement District to govern Project Future

Chad Emerson, a law professor at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. and theme park industry journalist, is the author of Project Future and he’ll present his first Central Florida Chamber of Commerce presentation right here in Winter Haven.

In his two years of research, Chad has been able to weave intriguing details that include involvement in the project by former OSS (the precursory of the CIA) leaders, the tense negotiations Walt and team encountered with the Busch family in St. Louis and John D. MacArthur the eccentric billionaire in Palm Beach, Fla. along with with details about the business, regulatory, and legal strategies–often novel and always creative–that allowed Disney’s vision to become a reality.

This special “Centennial Spotlight” program will take place in addition to our traditional monthly best business practices series. The author will have the book available for purchase and signing.

Sure to sell out, RSVP now to reserve your seat. Doors open at 7:30 to a full breakfast buffet from Fred’s Southern Kitchen. The one hour program begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by Q&A.

$25 for Chamber members, $35 for non-members. RSVP required and you may do so here.

Join us at Nora Mayo Hall for an evening to savor and celebrate. Here are menus from some of our fine participating restaurants … come ready to sample!

Arabella’s
Bistecca di Manzo – Sliced NY strip in a mushroom brandy sauce.
Penne alla Genovese – Penne pasta sautéed with pesto and shrimp sauce.

Chalet Suzanne
Chalet Suzanne’s Curry Chicken & Basmati Rice
Artichoke Dip with Pita chips

IHOP
Nutella Crepes

Outback Steakhouse
Blue Cheese Salad
Ahi Tuna
Steak & Chicken from the Barbie

Pengeo, Inc
Fiery Wings Grilled
Grilled Chicken Martini
Brownie Bites

Sundown and Fred’s Southern Kitchen
Shrimp and grits,
Sundown Bread Pudding w/ Whiskey Sauce.
Skillets of corn casserole

Tanners
Blackened Mahi Mahi w/Creole Butter Sauce
Seared Flank Steak w/grilled mushrooms, onions and peppers
Garlic Bread

and more menus are on the way…

Tickets are still available but the event is expected to sell out.

Get your tickets today here.

]]> http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/2128/feed/ 0 http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/join-the-chamber-celebration/ http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/join-the-chamber-celebration/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:53:51 +0000 Bob Gernert http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/?p=1894 Continue reading →]]>

Join the Chamber family as we mark a century of service to the the Winter Haven area business community. The Chamber had its beginnings as a Board of Trade founded in 1910!

All the fun begins Thursday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber. There will be live entertainment, building tours, great food, prizes, $25 business card drawing and you may win $500 if your name is called in the Name Droppers Prize – but you must be listed on the RSVP list from this Web site to win—no exceptions.

All the festivities will take place at your beautiful downtown Chamber building – 401 Avenue B, NW—also celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its opening in January.

Free to members with their RSVP. $25 for non-members.

RSVP Here!

This most special Centennial Celebration Showcase is sponsored
by these fine Chamber members:

]]> http://blog.winterhavenchamber.com/chamber-events/join-the-chamber-celebration/feed/ 0