Mayor Phil Anderson delivers state of the city address
Hannibal Square advocate Mary Daniels received the Founders Award
Feb. 16, 2024
By Beth Kassab
Mayor Phil Anderson on Friday honored Hannibal Square resident and advocate Mary Daniels, a regular critic of how development projects will alter the city’s historically Black neighborhood, for her service and leadership in his final State of the City Address before he leaves office in April.
Daniels, known as a fixture at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, moved to Winter Park as a child in the late 1950s from Georgia because her father was working for a man who returned to the city. She received the Mayor’s Founders Award for her longtime volunteer efforts and service on a variety of city and state boards.
“I’m very humbled and very appreciative that someone like me could even be considered for such an award,” Daniels said. “… for all the blessings given to you, pay it forward and bless someone else.”
Most recently, Daniels was part of the opposition to a rental townhome project on the city’s west side known as Winter Park Commons. As a result of concerns from neighbors, city commissioners approved a version of the project that included more single-family homes vs. multi-family units.
Anderson, who isn’t running for a second term in the March 19 election, alluded to recent controversial projects when he noted how Winter Park must find a balance between growth and maintaining its village-like charm.
“Time doesn’t stop,” he said. “You’ve got to change. You’ve got to adapt. Trying to do that while keeping a small town feel can sometimes be tough.”
He highlighted how the city has maintained one of the lowest property tax rates in the region while investing in everything from new police and fire positions to flood prevention and renewable energy.
Just three years after the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down travel and commerce across the globe, Park Avenue is vibrant, buoyed by a recent tripling of the budget for holiday lights, he said.
He also noted the city’s reserves stand at a record nearly $20 million. In a couple instances, Anderson appeared to talk directly to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings who was in the audience, when he said the Community Redevelopment Agency is poised to grow, too, if the city and county can reach an agreement.
Mayor Phil Anderson gives the State of the City remarks as commissioners Marty Sullivan, Sheila DeCiccio and Kris Cruzada look on.
The city’s plan to purchase at least 80% of its power from renewable sources by 2035 without increasing rates is perhaps one of its most forward-looking accomplishments, he said. He called the decision more than 20 years ago to purchase the city’s electric utility a hard-fought battle to “control our own destiny.”
“What other decisions can we make to control our own destiny,” he said.
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It was wonderful to see Mary Daniels recognized and honored at this event. Her acceptance remarks were deeply moving for their starkly humble nature and pure simplicity. Just 100% wow. And thank you.
So sorry that I was out of town and did not witness this event. Mary Daniels is one of Winter Park’s outstanding citizens and I feel honored to be her friend.