Approximately 75 to 80 people attended Monday evening’s Lakeland Mayoral Debate & Candidate Forum at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School, hosted by the city’s Community Advisory Board.
Mayor Josh Roman was the only mayoral candidate in attendance after challenger Connie McCarter withdrew earlier in the day. McCarter indicated that she had been advised against participating, while also raising concerns about the forum. A subsequent announcement that she would participate in a podcast drew criticism on social media.
Her absence changed the evening’s format. Although a time clock remained in place, the forum proceeded more efficiently, allowing Roman additional opportunities to elaborate on his responses.
Commissioner candidates Reap and Burnett also participated, offering brief introductions and remarks before the mayoral portion of the forum.
All questions presented during the forum originated from members of the Lakeland community. Residents had been invited to submit questions to the Community Advisory Board in advance. The questions were not authored by the board or elected officials, and Roman had not received them beforehand.
Throughout the evening, Roman addressed municipal debt, infrastructure improvements, commercial development, public safety, schools, and parks and recreation.
City debt was among the recurring subjects. Roman explained the purposes behind the city’s borrowing and the infrastructure investments those obligations have supported. He also discussed Lakeland’s ongoing road paving efforts and the city’s approach to maintaining and improving its infrastructure.
On economic development, Roman described his involvement in bringing Aldi to Lakeland, offering background on the project and its contribution to the city’s retail options and sales tax revenue.
Public safety was another topic, with Roman discussing the city’s relationship with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and his preference for continuing that partnership rather than establishing an independent municipal police department.
Roman also highlighted progress involving Lakeland’s schools and Parks and Recreation Department. Several of his remarks on those subjects drew applause from audience members.
With only one mayoral candidate participating, the evening functioned more as a community question-and-answer session than a traditional debate. Roman responded to the submitted questions without advance knowledge of their content, providing explanations on several matters involving city operations and finances.
The forum was organized by the Community Advisory Board to give residents an opportunity to hear directly from candidates ahead of the November 3 municipal election. All candidates were invited, and the City of Lakeland and Community Advisory Board maintained their stated policy of not endorsing candidates.
