LAKE PARK —
Two candidates have successfully qualified to vie for the mayoral position vacated earlier this month by Ben Futch.
Michelle Lane and Eric Schindler qualified this week for the special election to be held in November to elect a new Lake Park mayor, according to the Lowndes County Board of Elections.
In interviews with The Times, Schindler emphasized his experience as a former member of Lake Park City Council and his previous role as mayor pro tem, while Lane touted her 10 years in the banking industry and her current involvement with community-development organizations and programs.
“I’ve been working in banking for 10 years, so I have plenty of experience in balancing accounts,” said Lane. “At my current job, we work closely with HUD (Housing and Urban Development) and DCA (Georgia Department of Community Affairs). My interests are to foster a stronger sense of community than we’ve had here lately, and I know that we can persevere and become stronger than ever.”
Both mayoral candidates envision a unified community and the return of a fully functioning government to the City of Lake Park.
“I think that together we can make great strides,” said Schindler. “I’m basically running on the footing that we need to bring the city back together and become a more cohesive unit.”
Futch resigned in early July, noting that he believed his departure would heal divisions within the Lake Park City Council. Months prior to the
mayor’s resignation, Schindler and another councilman resigned to protest the firing of three long-time city employees minutes after Futch officially took office. Lake Park has already had one special election this year to fill Schindler and the other councilman’s unexpired terms.
“In the past, there were some issues discussed and not all council members were privy to them,” said Schindler. “We’ll put the issues on the table, conduct mature conversations and work together. That’s what the founding fathers of Lake Park had in mind when they drafted the city’s charter, and I plan to abide by that charter — oh, and did I mention that I love Lake Park?”
Just as Schindler proudly proclaimed his love for the city, Lane said she strongly desires to see the city’s luster restored.
“I’m running because, essentially, I’ve grown up in that town all my life,” said Lane. “My grandmother was mayor, so I have experience inside of the hall. I’ve seen that place run smoothly and I’d love to see it that way again.”
Voter registration ends Oct. 8., and advance voting starts Oct. 15. The special election will be held 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov. 6, a day shared by the general election.
More information: Call (229) 671-2850, e-mail elections@lowndescounty.com, fax (229) 333-5199, or visit the election office at 2808 N Oak St., Valdosta.
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Two candidates have successfully qualified to vie for the mayoral position vacated earlier this month by Ben Futch.
Discussion
Two candidates qualify for Lake Park mayor
Special election set for Nov. 6
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