Kris Cruzada and Warren Lindsey Sworn In for New Commission Terms
The commissioners took office and got down to city business
March 26, 2025
By Beth Kassab
Commissioners Kris Cruzada and Warren Lindsey took the oath of office on Wednesday before turning to regularly scheduled city business.
Lindsey, a first-time commissioner who was automatically elected after no one ran against him to take over Todd Weaver’s seat, took the oath with his wife and daughter by his side. Senior Judge Emerson Thompson, who previously served as chief judge for the circuit and served on the Fifth District Court of Appeals, swore in Lindsey, a longtime criminal defense attorney.
Lindsey appointed Weaver, who decided not to run for election again after two terms, to the city’s Utilities Advisory Board.
Cruzada, who started his second term after winning by a large margin earlier this month, had his wife and children by his side and his parents and brother in the audience.
After the brief ceremony, the commission moved on to scheduled business including the approval of about $30,000 for wider sidewalks and other improvements for children who walk to Hungerford Elementary School just across the city border in Eatonville, known as the oldest incorporated historically Black town in the United States.
While the nearly one-mile stretch of improvements are technically in the city of Maitland, the main beneficiaries are Winter Park residents who live just over the border in the Margaret Square area.
Winter Park, with a population of about 30,000, is the largest of the three jurisdictions with Maitland tallying about 20,000 residents and Eatonville fewer than 3,000.
One resident stood up to object to the city spending money for improvements outside of its borders.
“I’m not really understanding why we are doing it,” said Gigi Papa, who frequently speaks at commission meetings. She questioned why sidewalks aren’t being improved near Lakemont Elementary in Winter Park. “Winter Park must first address the needs of its own residents.”
City staff explained that residents using the route do live in Winter Park and that a number of residents “are excited about the project” that came about after Orange County Public Schools rezoned neighborhoods years ago.
Commissioner Craig Russell, who grew up in the city and was elected last year as the first Black commissioner in more than 100 years, noted that Margaret Square is a historically Black neighborhood next to Eatonville and Maitland that deserves attention and a safe route to school.
“The important thing is we are serving Winter Park residents,” he said. “… The school zones were changed. Those students go to Edgewater (High) and live in Winter Park.”
The 5-0 vote in favor of the improvements is conditioned on another entity picking up any cost overruns if the project exceeds the nearly $30,000 estimate.
The board also voted 5-0 to annex 13 lots on Stonehurst Road off Glenridge Way. The single-family homes, some of which have sold at $2 million or more, will add to the city’s tax base and resolve the problem of two different jurisdictions — the city and the county — providing services on the street.
WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com
Great decision to wider sidewalks for the safety of our kids who walk to Humgerford Elementary School.
Blessings
Not to disparage Mr . Lindsey, who I thank in advance for his upcoming service, but how bad are the politics in this small city that people run unopposed???
The politics are so very bad in Winter Park. Only 20% of Winter Park residents at most vote here. It’s a small group that run the city and I thank Gigi for always advocating for the Winter Park residents. She has lived here for over 30 years and gives so much to our community in many ways. I listened to the meeting and encourage others to do so that you can get the truth on the subject of the sidewalks and other agenda items.
Hello Ms. Walker,
I’m curious why you say “a small group of people run the city.” How have the obtained more power than you and I have? I’m truly curious. In the most current election, Kris Cruzada was elected with 63% of the vote. The Chamber ran a candidate against him who had 4-5 times as much money — and lost. We received daily mailers and emails and texts from the Chamber. Candidate. However, his message of lowering taxes and cutting services didn’t appeal to me.
I’m honestly stumped at how this small group of people you talk about have so much power in your eyes. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
How did you get a comment from Julie Jones on 3/27 BEFORE you sent out the email on 3/28?
It can happen in cases where the story is posted in the evening, but the email might not go out until the next morning depending on the time. That’s what happened here.
Doing a great job, Beth