The Tuesday, April 5, election for the open City Commission seat has led to a runoff election Tuesday, May 3.
On Tuesday, April 12, the Plant City Kiwanis Club hosted a forum between the remaining two commission candidates, David Cook and Nate Kilton, at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center.
Cook, a retired law enforcement officer, received 554 votes, 29.53% of the votes, during the April 5 election.
Kilton, a local business owner and the current Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce chairman, led the race with 935 votes, 49.84% of the vote, during the April 5 election. Because he secured less than the 50% needed for a victory, a runoff was scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3, at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St. Early voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.
Q and A: David Cook
David Cook, a Lakeland native, has lived in Plant City since 1994. He is a retired law enforcement officer and served in the United States Marine Corps. While in the military, Cook served as the chief instructor for the Marine Corps Staff Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy, as well as the Support and Logistics Manager of the Command. As a law enforcement officer, he worked as a gang liaison officer and a DART Domestic Abuse Response team member.
What are your top three issues?
1. Accessibility
2. Addressing at-risk youth, such as through a police athletic league
3. Helping the homeless and creating a millennial entrepreneurs’ club
As a citizen of Plant City, what has frustrated you the most? What possibilities exist to fix these frustrations?
Not being able to get a direct answer. Not having access to City Hall. You have to have the availability. If it is a city problem, I’ll do what I can to resolve it. I don’t care if it’s a broom closet in City Hall, I’ll let you know where I am at, at least 20 hours a week. You can call my cell phone.
Only 10% of Plant City residents voted in the initial City Commission election. How do you plan on reaching other residents to not only vote, but keep them engaged in the community?
By being there for them. For example with the homeless, the city needs to get involved. You’ve got to take time to meet them. They’ve got to know you care — that’s all they’re asking for.
Q and A: Nate Kilton
Nate Kilton is a financial advisor and accountant with Sedita Kilton Life & Wealth Management LLC, and Sedita Kilton & Company, Certified Public Accountants, PL. He is a certified public accountant and financial planner and is involved with GracePoint Church, the Rotary Club of Plant City, the Plant City EDC and the Plant City Planning Board. He is a co-owner of the Plant City Times & Observer and the current chairman of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.
What are your top three issues?
1. Promoting economic development and keeping that momentum going
2. Accessibility
3. Abolishing the racial divide
As a citizen of Plant City, what has frustrated you the most? What possibilities exist to fix these frustrations?
I think that accessibility is a huge issue. It’s necessary to meet people where they are — finding ways to hold local coffees, meeting them at church, at chamber contact breakfasts. I don’t think having an office at City Hall and perching there for 25 hours per week is the solution.
Only 10% of Plant City residents voted in the initial City Commission election. How do you plan on reaching other residents to not only vote, but keep them engaged in the community?
I think it really has to be a two-way street. People have to be inspired to be engaged. It’s about helping people to understand how the community can come together. It’s looking at partnerships and making sure residents are valued and appreciated in Plant City.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.