Casselberry Mayor - David Henson
• We are well underway to completely rebuild all of our city parks. Lake Concord Park is located behind City Hall and we have many events at this park. Several concerts, car shows and most recently a very successful Earth Fest celebration were held there. Lake Concord Park is also becoming the cultural center of Seminole County. It is the location of our new Art Center, Art House, Sculpture House and Sculpture Garden. We recently had a ribbon cutting ceremony for our newest park, Casselberry Wheel Park East which features a bicycle safety village and pump track. Casselberry Wheel Park West is designed for anything with wheels, skate boards, roller skates, wheel chairs or roller blades.
• We hope to open our new aquatic center by Memorial Day that features a zero entry pool with a lap feature and splash pad.
• We are proud of our many lakes and offer kayak and paddleboard rentals at Secret Lake Park.
• We are constantly improving Casselberry Golf Course and recently purchased all new golf carts.
• Casselberry is committed to being the most walkable and rideable city in Central Florida. We are constantly improving our sidewalks and trails with a focus on safety.
—————————————————————————————
Karen Chasez, DeBary Mayor
• Natural Beauty & Outdoor Recreation - DeBary is nestled along the St. Johns River and is home to over 12 parks—over 600 acres of scenic nature spots, wildlife, fishing spots, and natural springs. It's a paradise for nature lovers, hikers, and kayakers. In addition, several of the DeBary parks host topnotch recreation activities including baseball, softball, disc golf, pickleball, basketball and more.
• Trail Capitol of Central Florida - Along with its scenic beauty, DeBary hosts the trail hub of Central Florida with the convergence of the three major bike trails: Heart of Florida, Coast to Coast, and the St. Johns River to Sea Loop. DeBary bicyclists can bike from the backyard to St. Petersburg, St. Augustine or the Space Coast! We were named Florida’s 12th Trail Town in 2022!
• Dedicated Council and staff - DeBary is led by a Council and staff who are deeply committed to serving the community. With a focus on innovation and practical problem-solving, they work tirelessly to improve quality of life for all residents. Every decision is thoughtfully made, balancing legal requirements, budget realities, and regulatory obligations—always with the understanding that each choice affects real people. Their dedication reflects a true spirit of public service and a commitment to doing what’s best for the community as a whole.
• We have a mascot - Clayton, the DeBary Dinosaur is a beloved local mascot who adds a touch of prehistoric whimsy to the city of DeBary, Florida. Strategically placed along 17-92 bisecting the city, Clayton represents the town’s unique character and its appreciation for fun. Dressed by Gateway Center for the Arts to highlight different holidays or events throughout the year, he helps draw people to our city eager to see his next costume. Clayton brings smiles to residents of all ages and reminds everyone that even dinosaurs can find a home in DeBary.
• The DeBary Foundation - Created to help support the City of DeBary in enhancing the quality of life for its residents, the DeBary Foundation is dedicated to expanding local amenities and fostering greater community involvement. By partnering with the city, the Foundation raises funds to support a variety of initiatives, including the purchase of memorial benches, commemorative bricks, recreational equipment, and other community enhancements. Currently in the process of forming, the DeBary Foundation aims to become an integral leader in strengthening civic engagement and promoting a more connected, active citizenry. Through strategic collaboration and grassroots support, the Foundation is poised to make a lasting impact on the city's future.
---------------------------
Pat Bates - Altamonte Springs Mayor
• Fiscal responsibility and being completely debt-free.
• Launching the Altamonte Global Innovation Lab, bringing cities together to collaborate, share solutions and save money.
• Innovation that makes the lives of residents better.
• Community events and programs that bring people together.
• Environmental stewardship.
---------------------------
Megan Sladek - Oviedo Mayor
- We talk out loud about the importance of going vertical vs. horizontal as a way to be kinder to the environment.
- We have over 120 wonderful restaurants inside Oviedo city limits - you can see a list at http://tinyurl.com/EatOviedo .
- We were recognized as one of the Top 16 Strongest Towns for our combo of financial and environmental sustainability.
- We have shrunk our debt by over $20 million since 2019.
- We are being proactive about making sure we have an adequate water supply.
---------------------------
Art Woodruff - Sanford Mayor
• Our Residents – Many of the best things about Sanford are because of our residents. They decide to start something and that helps make Sanford a great place to live, work, and play. The Historic Trust and its members renovated homes, opened them to the public at Christmas, and last year hosted the 36th Holiday Tour of Homes. Or Main Street, The Sanford Chamber, and individuals who would host the Christmas Parade, July Fourth Fireworks, and started events. And more recently the Sanford Porchfest, Garden Tour, the St. John's Festival of the Arts, and Pints and Paws – all events that were started by residents.
• Our Historic Districts and a real downtown. Sanford has three historic districts: The Downtown Commercial Historic District, the Sanford Residential Historic District, and the Georgetown Historic District are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And we have other neighborhoods of historic significance – Goldsboro, Mayfair, Mellonville, Rose Court and others add to the historic flavor of the town.
• Our location at the center of the Central Florida Transportation network. We are minutes from I-4, 417, 17-92, the Orlando-Sanford International Airport, Sunrail, Amtrak, Auto Train, the St. Johns River, the Sanford Riverwalk, and the Seminole County and Florida trail systems.
• Diverse and thriving business environment. We have craft breweries, eclectic gift shops, art galleries, bookstores, fine restaurants, and a river ship downtown. We have high tech industries in three industrial centers where you can find sophisticated medical devices, aerospace adhesives, tethered drones, a paper mill, and a garbage truck museum. We have major retail centers and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
• And there is no way to narrow the rest of the list down to one more thing – police and fire departments, public art, the Sanford Recreation Department, Mayfair Country Club, our city employees, Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium, tree lined streets, brick streets, Fort Mellon Park, events almost every weekend, Sanford Says Podcast, the Westside Mentoring Program, Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, the Sanford Civic Center, the Sanford Museum, Sanford Citizens Academy and the list goes on.
-------------------------------
Kevin McCann- Winter Springs Mayor
• Beautiful Parks and Family-Friendly Events - Here in Winter Springs, one of the first things that comes to mind is our amazing parks. They’re not just green spaces, they’re where our community comes together. Whether it’s the Egg-Citing Egg Hunt, Celebration of Freedom, or the Scottish Highland Games, there’s always something fun happening for families. We’ve got pickleball courts, dog parks, a thriving Senior Center, and plenty of room for team sports. There’s something active and healthy for every age group.
• Safe Neighborhoods and Great Schools- Safety is a top priority here, and we’re proud to say our crime rate dropped another 14% last year. Our dedicated police department works hard every day to keep every neighborhood protected. When you pair that with the best school system in the state of Florida, it’s easy to see why Winter Springs is one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family.
• Fiscally Responsible Leadership - Even as we’ve made key investments in public safety and infrastructure, we’ve kept our tax rate the lowest in Central Florida and second lowest when you factor in fire services. We hold a strong AA+ bond rating, and we’re doing all we can to shield residents from the impacts of inflation and rising costs. We believe in smart planning, not just spending.
• Protecting Our Community from Overdevelopment - Central Florida is growing fast, but here in Winter Springs, we’re doing it differently. We’ve stood firm against unrestricted growth because we know how much our residents value the character of this community. We’ll continue to support smart, sustainable progress, but never at the expense of our quality of life or the burden on our utilities and infrastructure.
• A Strong Sense of Community - What really sets Winter Springs apart is our people. Our residents are involved, thoughtful, and deeply committed to their neighborhoods. After recent flooding events, we saw neighbors helping neighbors and a community that truly cares. Working alongside our city staff, we’ve built something special here, something worth protecting and celebrating.
-------------------------------
Matthew McMillan - Longwood Mayor
• Our Historic District - 190 acres with 37 contributing structures is an easily walkable area which includes the Community Building which hosts many events throughout the year, as well as outdoor festivals and car shows. Longwood keeps that old town feeling alive.
• Reiter Park is adjacent to our Historic District with a wide open green space and modern concert stage which is perfect for our big Independence Day, Seasonal Celebrations, concerts events, both public and private.
• Police & Fire Department - Local public safety personnel are an integral part of our community. Many cities our size do not have their own fire department. Longwood is proud to have a fire department which works in an integrated fashion with Seminole County Fire Department, but dates back well over 100 years.
• I have always enjoyed Longwood's central location with easy access to all of Seminole County. The SunRail Station is right in our Historic District. We are geographically the smallest, but have three major arteries running north and south, I-4, Ronald Reagan Blvd, and 17-92. Good surface street access to our neighbors as well. E. E. Williamson allows easy access to Markham Woods Road going over I-4. Lake Emma Road runs up to Lake Mary Boulevard. Palm Springs Drive runs down to Altamonte Springs Boulevard.
• Our convenient location has a lot of exciting economic development projects underway. South Seminole Hospital has closed and will soon be redeveloped and there is finally development coming to the old Township plaza which had been vacant and run down for over 30 years. These commercial developments will impact the city for the next generation.
-----------------------------
David Mealor - Lake Mary Mayor
Long recognized as one of the premier places to establish a business and raise a family, our city offers numerous exceptional attributes:
- Lowest Tax Rate in the Region: Our city boasts the lowest tax rate, significantly enhanced by robust support from our thriving corporate community, ensuring exceptional public services without a heavy financial burden on residents.
- Superior Public Safety: Known for rapid emergency response times and the lowest crime rates in the region, our public safety departments provide peace of mind for families and businesses alike.
- Outstanding Dining and Shopping: With top-tier restaurants and shopping experiences, residents frequently share that there's simply no need to leave town!
- Easy Access to Recreation: Lake Mary has renowned parks, scenic trails and beautiful lakes with serene rivers, and pristine beaches nearby, offering abundant recreational activities for everyone to enjoy.
- Excellent Education Opportunities: Our educational offerings are exceptional, from award-winning elementary schools through higher education. Students can seamlessly transition from Seminole State College in Lake Mary directly to the University of Central Florida through the Direct Connect program.
Our community truly stands out as an ideal destination for families and businesses seeking quality, convenience, and growth opportunities.
