Lakeland, Fla. (September 29, 2017) – Representatives from Committee for a Strong Lakeland and No Boss Mayor campaigns join the PR & Politics podcast this week to discuss the strong mayor initiative that Lakeland voters will decide on Nov. 7.
“With about a month before Lakeland residents will decide this important issue, we wanted to interview both sides and hear why they believe their position is best for our community,” said Chad McLeod, co-owner of Lakeland-based McLeod Communications and co-host of PR & Politics. “Many Lakeland voters are likely still undecided and are starting to take a close look at this issue as voting day approaches. We hope they will tune in and listen to both campaigns.”
The podcast – a weekly discussion on politics and political communications – features Matt Doster, spokesman for Committee for a Strong Lakeland, who says the committee believes Lakeland residents should choose the city’s chief executive as an elected strong mayor instead of having an appointed city manager.
“The city manager form of government tends to be adequate with things are calm,” Doster said on the podcast. “When things are difficult, it becomes much more inflexible and really challenges the authority of elected officials.”
Representing the No Boss Mayor campaign, former Lakeland Mayor Frank O’Reilly said, “This government runs very well. If you look around and see all the things Lakeland has accomplished, it is an outstanding city and doesn’t need to change.”
The push to put an amendment on the ballot to make the mayor the city’s chief executive – while having the city commission serve as the legislative body – began nearly two years ago. Members from Committee for a Strong Lakeland gathered more than 6,000 signatures from Lakeland voters to put the proposed amendment to the city charter on the ballot for Nov. 7.
“The Founding Fathers argued passionately over how to structure a new government,” said Joe McLeod, co-host of PR & Politics. “It’s interesting, in 2017, how some of those same arguments are being waged at the local level. Separation of power, checks and balances, and the potential for corruption have been recurring themes in the strong mayor debate.”
To listen to this episode of PR & Politics, visit
SoundCloud
or iTunes.
About PR & Politics
PR & Politics is a weekly podcast hosted by Joe and Chad McLeod, owners of the public relations firm McLeod Communications. The podcast features discussions and analysis of political news, with a focus on messaging, PR and political communications. PR & Politics is available on SoundCloud and iTunes.
About McLeod Communications
McLeod Communications is a public relations and marketing communications firm based in Lakeland, Florida, that works with clients at the local, state and national levels. Led by brothers Joe and Chad McLeod, the firm exists to help clients tell their stories by providing unmatched communications counsel and strategy. McLeod Communications specializes in media relations, public relations strategies, crisis communications, issues management and messaging. For more information, visit mcleodcommunications.com
###