Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The City of Lake Wales will undertake an internal study to hopefully find ways to make its business-friendly approach even friendlier in 2020. Officials revealed recently a group of employees is undertaking a comprehensive review of the city's building permitting process. "We're looking for ways to make that more efficient and effective. Can we improve our software? One big thing were going to be looking to do is to accept everything electronically," City Manager Ken Fields...
I am happy to be a Lake Wales resident and City Commissioner. I was born in Rochester NY, and moved to Lake Wales at the age of 12. I fell in love with Lake Wales less than a year after moving here in 1998. I started going to First Assembly of God, which is Impact now. My mentor was Pastor Shawn Rudy who took me in as his own child. I learned so much and gave a lot of my time back to my community. I never thought about becoming a city commissioner, but I knew Lake Wales needed...
We as elected officials need to mind our Ps and Qs in order to deliberate action. We need to be knowledgeable on issues that we face and day-to-day challenges in our respective cities. I make it my business to advocate for the things we need to better ourselves and to seek fairness across the board. Meeting with officials from other cities helps me learn and grow as a commissioner. The City of Lake Wales is a member of the Florida League of Cities (FLC), and National League...
Since I became a Lake Wales City Commissioner in May of 2017 I have always fought for the little people. This summer of 2019 I came up with a concept that would give lower paid city employees a higher percentage increase in their pay. What the city manager was introducing was a 3 percent raise across the board that amounted to just $609 for the city's lowest paid full-time employee, but it would give the highest paid employee, not counting the city manager, an increase of...
Editor's Note: Memorial is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13 at 1st United Methodist Church in Lake Wales, with musical prelude starting at 1:30 p.m. The grand lady in red, white and blue, Lake Wales legend Mimi Hardman died Friday, Dec.13. A driving force for historic preservation and celebrating the pioneers who built Lake Wales, Hardman left behind an extraordinary legacy. Her service as chair of the Bicentennial Commission led to the opening of the Depot Museum on July...
William "Bill" Thomas Stephens, 65, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019 at Advent Health in Orlando. He was born February 27, 1954 in Ft. Payne, AL. He has been a resident of the area since 1986 coming from South Dakota. He was a mechanic for over 40 years and retired from Jarrett Gordon Ford. William loved fishing, camping and boating. He is preceded in death by his parents William T. and Maggie A. (Burries) Stephens, brothers and sisters. He is survived by his d...
Lake Wales NAACP Chapter President Wanda Howard died Sunday of cardiac arrest after an 18-year battle with cancer. "This is a very sad day for the City of Lake Wales. Wanda was such a bright light for our community. She will be missed in so many ways," said Mayor Eugene Fultz. Howard became NAACP Branch 5109 president in January 2017, the first female to serve in that capacity. She was named branch president of the year at the state conference in September. She joined the...
City Commissioner Al Goldstein has been appointed by the Florida League of Cities to its Federal Action Strike Team, also known as FAST. The appointment announcement said Goldstein was selected because of his leadership within the League and his relationship with the local congressional delegation. Goldstein recently participated in the League's FAST Fly-in to Washington, DC, which the organization said was successful in bringing attention to a number of key federal issues....
Lillian Margaret "Twink" Amerson, 96, of Frostproof passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at Winter Haven Hospital. She was born Jan. 20, 1923 in Hartford, CT to the late Arthur L and Lillian C. (Tripp) Jaques. She worked for the City of Frostproof for 43 years and was their longest employee. She served as City Clerk for 31 years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Frostproof. Lillian loved to travel, going to Canada and Mexico. She was a member of the...
The Lake Wales hospital cafeteria filled with people Sunday bidding a fond farewell to Dr. James Nelson and his wife Janie, who are moving to Southwest Georgia. There were hugs, tears and stories about what the doctor meant to them and in some cases how he saved their lives. Former patients talked about the deep relationships Nelson built, taking time to talk about not only health issues but their shared faith in Jesus Christ. Several related how Nelson helped them through...
Juanita Meeks Branch, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 at her residence. She was born Aug. 14, 1936 in Eagle Lake to the late Thomas C. and Sally E. (Lane) Meeks. She has been a resident of the area since 1947 coming from Winter Haven. She was a retired administrator for the Public Defender's office in Polk County and has the distinction of serving under the first Public Defender LeRoy Horton and 3 of his successors. She was a member of the Lake Wales...
Bruce Douglass Twaddell, 68, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 at AdventHealth Hospital. He was born on March 28, 1951 in Oklahoma City, OK to the late James and June (Morf) Twaddell. He retired to the area in 2011 after living in Maryland. He is preceded in death by his first wife of more than 25 years, Stephanie Patton and by his second wife, Marcia Ludens. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Weimer and husband Jeremy of Hubert, NC; his son, Mark Twaddell...
Can you see it? Can you feel it? Something's in the air and although the holidays are fast approaching, I am specifically referring to the Dover Kohl "Lake Wales Connected" downtown revitalization plan that focuses our resources and attention to rejuvenating downtown. To keep connected, let's talk about what has happened since the Aug. 13 town hall meeting when Victor Dover unveiled the final plans. In full-speed-ahead mode, Lake Wales Main Street, Inc. posted on Nov. 15 the...
Thousands of barbecue, craft beer and music lovers will converge on the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend for the 2019 Orange Blossom Revue. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Lake Wales, the event runs from 4:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Admission is free and proceeds from food sales and raffles will support arts and education programs for Lake Wales area youth. The event, in its 6th year, grew out of an annual barbecue hosted by the club....
Dr. James Nelson, who has practiced Family Medicine in Lake Wales for more than three decades, will be honored at a retirement reception to celebrate his contributions to the community. The reception will be held at 2 pm. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the hospital cafeteria. The afternoon will include a special video presentation, comments from the hospital COO, remembrances from former patients and office staff, and a proclamation from the City of Lake Wales. The community, particularly patients and former patients, are invited to atte...
A downtown Lake Wales fixture since 1976, Cliff's True Value Hardware will be closing the end of May. Owner Larry Tonjes announced plans in a letter posted Nov. 16 on Facebook. Tonjes said both of his parents recently celebrated their 80th birthdays, his sister was pursuing other career options and he was ready to join his wife Cindy in retirement. Cindy Tonjes has been a longtime local school teacher. "We have always appreciated the support that we have received from Lake Wal...
The Lake Wales Little Theatre's first Season 42 production, Having Hope at Home, opens Friday, Nov. 8 and runs for three weekends. Having Hope at Home is described as a light comedy with serious intentions. Directed by Glenda Thurmond, the productions will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 24 in the intimate 140-seat theater at 411 N. Third St. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for those under age 18 and can be purchased online at...
Janet Ann Hunt, 73, of Carmel, IN passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 at AdventHealth in Lake Wales. She was born on August 21, 1946 to Cecil and E. Pauline (Stanley) Casey in Lebanon, Indiana. Janet married Louis "Lee" Hunt on June 6, 1970. Together, they owned Hunt & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Inc. Janet & Lee were members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, the Rolls Royce Owners Club, and the Circle City Corvair Club. They loved riding motorcycles...
The ink on the incorporation papers barely dried before Lincoln Community Development Corporation President Sara Jones accepted her first challenge: Open up communications and help build trust between officials of the recently reopened Elks Lodge and Lake Wales police. Jones stepped in after Elks Exalted Ruler Terry Christian complained to the city commission Tuesday, Nov. 5 that he felt six police officers showing up at the lodge Saturday night was a waste of city resources...
The City of Lake Wales Recreation Department has scheduled its next Lake Wales Live event starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The October event was canceled due to bad weather. The free event will include music by Jonathan Kaufman and Chase Dixon at 6 p.m. and Southerndipity at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on hand and Rotary on the Ridge will be pouring wine and beer for donations to support the club's service projects. Times are subject to change and the event is...
Recognizing her increased responsibilities in development services as the City of Lake Wales experiences a growth spurt, Kathy Bangley recently was promoted to assistant city manager for planning and economic development. Bangley's promotion carries with it an annual salary of $98,000, a pay increase of 10 percent over what she was making in July. Bangley's office has been extremely busy working with numerous developers planning new restaurants, retail establishments and...
The Green and Gold Foundation Nov. 2 honored retired school teacher Gladys Howell for her dedication and contributions to the Lake Wales community. Howell was surprised with a tribute at the foundation's gala, which raised funds for the B Street Community Center. Howell and her school teacher husband, Robert, moved their family to Lake Wales in 1964. She started her local career at Roosevelt High School and then taught at Polk Avenue Elementary, retiring in 1992. She earned...
We get it. Life can get in the way, and library materials are suddenly overdue, with fines building. Beginning Nov. 1 the Lake Wales Public Library no longer charges daily overdue fines on their materials. Existing overdue fines will be removed from Lake Wales' materials. The library's goal is to provide full access to their books, movies, magazines, electronic resources and services without undue financial hardships to valued customers. Recognizing the financial barriers...
Downtowns are the heart of a town. To devote time, money, energy and dedication to a city's downtown is to embrace its essence. Therefore, it was with great enthusiasm that we at the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council asked the city and the business community to fully endorse the Lake Wales Connected plan to revitalize downtown and the Northwest. Our team from the Chamber/EDC had a large contingent in attendance on Oct. 1, when the Lake Wales Community...
On the heels of his promotion to Lake Wales deputy city manager, James Slaton has completed a prestigious and intensive two-year leadership program conducted by the International City Managers Association. Slaton was in a class of 15 municipal government leaders who graduated from the ICMA program Oct. 23 at the organization's annual conference in Nashville. He became one of only 180 city officials to complete the program since its inception 12 years ago. "This was truly a...
