Meet the 2022 City Commission Candidates
by Anne Mooney / January 2, 2022
Note: This article was updated January 13 to reflect recent changes in the vote-by-mail ballot schedule.
Mark your calendars for the Candidate Forum, Jan. 27, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at the Winter Park Public Library, 1052 West Morse Blvd., sponsored by the Winter Park Voice, the Park Avenue District and the Orange County League of Women Voters.
Mike Lafferty will moderate
Mike Lafferty, former Opinion Editor at the Orlando Sentinel, has agreed to moderate the Forum, which is free and open to the public. The Forum will follow the League of Women Voters protocols for timing of candidate responses, overall fairness and vetting of audience questions. This election is non-partisan.
Cruzada and Vaya for Seat #3
Two candidates, Kristopher Cruzada and Anjali Vaya, will vie for Commission Seat #3, long held by outgoing Commissioner Carolyn Cooper, who has served the maximum allowed four consecutive terms in office. “Carolyn Cooper . . . those are going to be big shoes to fill,” said Cruzada.
Weaver for Seat #4
As of this writing, Commissioner Todd Weaver is running unopposed for re-election to Commission Seat #4.
Candidate filing isn’t over yet
But that could change. The formal period for candidate filing runs from Noon, Jan. 10 to Noon, Jan. 18, so until 12:01 p.m. Jan. 18, we won’t know for sure how many hats are thrown into the ring.
Vote-by-mail ballots go out Feb. 2
The Candidate Forum is slated for Jan. 27. The Orange County Supervisor of Elections will begin sending vote-by-mail ballots to those who have requested them on Feb. 2. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Feb. 26. The election is March 8. If a runoff election is necessary, it will be held April 12.
Deadline to register is Feb. 7 — Be Ready! Time is short.
If you have questions about your voter status, go to https://www.ocfelections.com/ to make sure your information is up to date and to check your vote-by-mail status. It is important to do this now. The deadline to register is February 7.
From Forum Sponsors
“We hope this candidate forum can underscore the importance of small businesses and local community partners in the day-to-day considerations of future candidates,” said Forum sponsor Sarah Grafton, President of the Park Avenue District. “We understand the importance of civic engagement and we are proud to do our part.”
Reflecting the sentiments of the three sponsors, Grafton went on to say, “We are invested in the future of our city and in those who serve it.”
Will this be presented on zoom?
If it is, be sure to wear your mask while you watch it.
The program will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. It will also be recorded for those who want to watch later.
YouTube link is https://www.youtube.com/user/WinterParkLibrary
We will post the Facebook link later this week, as soon as we have it.
Thanks Anne for this information, stay safe.
Todd is a formidable candidate and in tune with the voters. I hope Carolyn Cooper’s replacement respects WP desires as well as she did.
That’s not what I heard about Todd Weaver. He isn’t in tune with the voters.
Unlike “ANONYMOUS” I stand by my position. Todd is, indeed, in tune with voters…
You, sir or madam, hide… I do not!
Vote for Todd!
New papers have been pulled for both races. Filing ends Tuesday at noon. Later entry into the races means the money trail will be harder to expose and follow. But astute voters will recognize the “build it all, pave it now” voices have at last found their foils for Seats 3 and 4.
We need to make sure there are no outside influences operating in our local elections. The Orlando Sentinel has excellent journalists who have detected problems with other elections in Florida and I am confident they will be watching (and also thankful). There will be a wedge issue that divides the community and I am estimating it will be around development. Stay safe my friends.