Nonpartisan Candidate for Windermere City Council
Education: December 1990 - BSW - Florida Atlantic University; August 1995 - MEd. - Florida Atlantic University
Occupation: Director of Workforce Development @ Goodwill Industries of Central Florida Inc.
Home: Windermere
Age: 46
Past Political/Civic Experience: Town of Windermere; Elected Town Council Representative (Term 1: 2011-2013) & (Term2: 2013 – 2015); Orange County Community Action Board, Windermere Police Department Foundation
Email: jobrien@town.windermere.fl.us
Phone: 561-385-2783
Q: What is your top priority if elected?
Continue efforts to improve our Town infrastructure and long range planning process.; Long-range storm water improvements, which will reduce the effects of sediment runoff into the Butler Chain of Lakes.; Continued efforts toward Accreditation of our Police Department and ensuring that we have the highest quality police officers and Town personnel in all departments; To pursue Federal and State funding opportunities to assist in implementing much needed capital and infrastructure improvements.; Beautify and improve the entry ways to our Town, including sidewalk and pedestrian improvements.; Traffic flow improvements and round-about completion on Main Street; The completion of amenities at Butler Bay Park, including waterfront fishing pier and sports area to compliment the tennis courts, waterfront and new family friendly pavilion
Q: What makes you the best candidate in the race?
I have become an effective representative over the past four years, serving on the Town of Windermere Council since 2011. I have worked diligently to ensure fairness, accountability and transparency in all Town endeavors. I have worked with our Town Council to rebuild our Administrative Staff and Police Department from the ground-up, insisting that we hire only individuals who are committed to professionalism and service. I have fostered an atmosphere that allows our volunteer committees to thrive and create great community events; such as Family Food Trucks, Downtown Green Market, Run Among the Lakes 5K, Craft Beer Fest and Windermere Wine & Dine. Our Town recreational and green space has increased with the opening of our newest park and pavilion, the 10-acre Windermere Recreation Area. Our Police Department was one of the first to use body cameras in Orange County and we have practiced fiscal restraint holding the line on taxes while increasing reserves by over 100%. I enjoy the process of a representative government and work hard to balance needed progress and innovation with a reverence to what makes our Town such a unique and desirable place to raise a family. I bring a measured and balanced approach to our Council; I carefully weigh all input and strive to do what is best for our community. I actively seek a win-win solution whenever possible, but I will never compromise what makes our Town a great place to live and play. While we have experienced much success as a community over the past few years, we have also experienced the incredible pain of losing one of our finest Windermere Police Officers, Robbie German. These experiences shape the manner in which I represent our Town. I look forward to utilizing the experience gained to provide consistent and thoughtful leadership.
Q: Please list important issues and briefly state your position on those issues.
Please see top priorities.
Q: How can you improve Windermere?
By continuing to work closely with residents and staff to plan for the next 25 years, continuing to focus on what is important to residents and being a small but smart town.
Q: If you wish to address some issue not listed above, I invite you to submit a brief statement on that matter.