City residents have a choice Tuesday between a minister and a former mayor for the city's new at-large mayor seat.
LAKE WALES | City residents have a choice Tuesday between a minister and a former mayor for the city's new at-large mayor seat.
Gene Fultz, 63, runs a nonprofit homeless feeding ministry from his home and helps with a youth ministry but is new to city politics.
He has been involved with Lake Wales Circle of Friends, the Lake Wales Ministerial Association and Unity in Community,
Jack Van Sickle, 65, served as both city commissioner and mayor from 2007-2011 and is re-entering politics after heart surgery last year.
He currently serves on the Lake Wales Planning and Zoning Board and has been on the city's Finance Committee and General Employee Pension Board.
Each man has military and government work experience, but they differ on city budget priorities.
Van Sickle wants to make staff assignments more efficient and to add a $2 fee to city water bills for new infrastructure, such as water lines to help economic development on State Road 60.
Fultz said a fee could break some families. He wants the new economic development council to increase tax revenue by bringing businesses into city limits.
Van Sickle said police have good relations with minorities, but Fultz said it could be better.
Although Van Sickle wants to equip police to combat crime, Fultz wants to prevent crime with youth recreation.
Fultz said a recreation director could help secure funds for city facilities, including a city pool.
Van Sickle retired to Lake Wales in 2004 after 37 years with the Department of Defense. He has an associate degree in computer information from what is now Wrights State University in Augsburg, Germany.
He and his wife, Brenda — married 31 years — have four children and eight grandchildren.
Fultz served in the Navy and Army National Guard and worked with Veterans Affairs.. He came to Lake Wales 12 years ago from Orlando and help run a multi-cultural youth ministry.
Fultz has a bachelor's degree in social science from Arkansas Baptist College and is working on an education degree while teaching at Roosevelt Academy.
He and his wife, Jannell — married 44 years — have three children and "several grandchildren and great-grandchildren," Fultz said.
Fultz has a $1,150 campaign account with $750 in donations from private donors.
Van Sickle has a $2,371 account with $401 in donations from private donors.
Starting this year, mayors and commissioners serve two-year terms. They are paid $378.23 per month and are eligible to participate in city-paid group health and dental insurance plans.
Commissioner Jonathan Thornhill qualified as a candidate unopposed and has effectively been re-elected to serve two years in Seat 1/District 19.
[ Contact Phil Attinger att firstname.lastname@example.org or 863-401-6981. ]