32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.
According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.
The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.
When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.
She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:
· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)
· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)
· Reckless driving (F3)
· One count DUI with property damage (M1)
· One count DUI (M2)
Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Tallahassee — Today, the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) announced the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) as the 2025 winner of its annual America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest — marking a historic three-peat for the Sunshine State. Florida is now the first state in contest history to win three consecutive years.
This year’s winning photo features FHP’s black and tan Corvette cruiser set against the backdrop of a vibrant Miami sunset, with the city’s iconic skyline in the distance. It’s a tribute to the energy, strength, and beauty of Florida — and a reflection of the pride FHP takes in representing all corners of the state.
“Florida is a state filled with pride and support for our law enforcement officers, and this historic, first ever three-peat is a reflection of that,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This first-ever three-peat is a credit to our team’s creativity, our agency’s mission, and the thousands of Floridians who rallied behind us once again. I’m incredibly proud of our troopers, staff, and the support we’ve received from the public and our partners statewide. And, the fact remains that the Florida Highway Patrol “Black and Tan” IS the nation’s BEST LOOKING CRUISER.”
“The AAST Best Looking Cruiser competition is great way for our State Troopers across the nation to connect with those we serve,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “Your Florida Highway Patrol members are proud to represent the great State of Florida on this national stage. This win is for everyone that participated — and for the public, who benefit every day from strong partnerships and a shared commitment to public safety. Thank you, Florida, for making history with us!”
The 2025 contest kicked off on June 30 and featured a record 49 states. After two weeks of intense online voting, Florida emerged victorious in one of the closest finishes in contest history. Florida’s winning photo will be featured on the cover of the 2026 AAST America’s Best Looking Cruiser Calendar, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for the children of state troopers nationwide.
Due to an increase in local property values, Lake Wales residents could see their property taxes increase if city commissioners approve an increased interim millage rate.
At their workshop meeting on Wed. July 9, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners reviewed an agenda item to approve the Polk County property appraiser’s certification of taxable value for this year, set the interim millage rate, and set the dates for the public hearings to adopt the final millage rate and the FY25-26 budget.
Since last year, Lake Wales has experienced an increase in taxable value of $144,469,003. As such, the city’s gross taxable value for operating purposes would increase to $1,322,637,537, which is 11.67% above last year’s final gross taxable value of $1,237,434,449.
As such, city staff recommends the interim millage rate be set to 8.0462 mills, which is greater than the rolled-back rate of 6.6772 mills by 20.50%. The current millage rate is 7.0462.
Under the current rate, the city would generate $9,737,168 in taxable income. Conversely, under the proposed rate, that income would increase significantly to 11,119,072, which is a difference of 1,381,904.
Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson admitted that this fiscal year would see some challenges. However, he remained optimistic that the increased property values, coupled with the grants the city has secured, will allow Lake Wales to continue experiencing economic development.
“We knew, heading into this, this would be the year we would have some tough challenges…I do not believe anybody up here thought this would be a cakewalk,” he said.
“I think that between the millage increase…and the grants that have been obtained, our productivity is going to continue in this upward trajectory, and we acknowledged here and outside of the city as being on a roll and very productive, and it looks like we will stay on that trajectory,” he later elaborated. “I have been here 56 years, and I have not seen anything like this.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson likewise commented that, while the city has faced some tough economic times, Lake Wales has also experienced a lot of growth and development. As such, he remains optimistic for the city’s future.
“Our city has survived and strived through some pretty tough times. And times where we did not have any economic development or the growth that would allow us to expand services with increased tax increment and revenue,” he said.”We are in some interesting historical time for Lake Wales where there are some great things on the horizon and that are being done currently.”
City commissioners will review and vote upon the agenda item at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Tues. July 15 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
To facilitate the proposed widening of Thompson Nursery Road, the City of Lake Wales is seeking reimbursement for the relocation of a city-owned water main and force main.
At their workshop meeting on Wed. July 9, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an agenda item concerning an interlocal agreement with Polk County and Peace Crossing Community Development District.
Both the county and the development district had entered into the agreement to design and construct certain sections of Thompson Nursery Road. This project, which includes the widening of the roadway, would necessitate the relocation of a city-owned water main and a force main.
“The property on the north side of Thompson Nursery Rd. had an issue during design with placement of all the utilities in the right of way,” wrote Sara Irvine, Special Projects Administrator.
“Staff wanted to avoid having to move these lines twice by relocating to their final resting place in the right of way now, while the Winter Haven Corp property is installing the utilities for the project,” she further elaborated.
The fiscal impact of this project is estimated to be $543,197.70. Approving the interlocal agreement would allow for the reimbursement of these costs.
The City Commission will review and vote upon this agenda item at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Tues. July 15 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
The Tropical Weather Outlook issued by the NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami FL at 200 PM EDT on Sunday, July 13, 2025 states that a low pressure system in the Gulf has a low potential of development at this time:
“For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America:
Northeastern Gulf: A trough of low pressure near the southeastern U.S. coast is expected move westward across Florida during the next day or so, and into the northeastern Gulf by Tuesday. Environmental conditions could support some gradual development of this system during the middle to late part of this week while it moves westward over the northeastern and north-central portions of the Gulf. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida and the north-central Gulf coast through the mid to late portion of this week.
Formation chance through 48 hours…low…near 0 percent.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past decade, you’re probably aware Disney has been remaking its animated movies into live action. So, it was only inevitable that the House of Mouse would remake its first animated feature: Snow White & The Seven Dwarves.
I’d be lying if I said Snow White was the greatest Disney movie of all time. It’s not. Not by a long shot. Sure, it’s notable for being the first animated feature-length film, but otherwise, the movie is rather simple and bland when compared to other Disney animated features.
But credit where it’s due: as simplistic as the story and characters may be, at least the animated Snow White is memorable with memorable characters and songs. It’s a movie people have watched for nearly 100 years, and no doubt, people will still watch it for many more years to come.
The live-action Snow White, on the other hand, is yet another bland, disposable live-action remake in a pile of the company’s other live-action corporate cash grabs. While people will still watch the animated movie for years to come, most likely no one will remember the live-action film a year from now.
But just how bad is the live-action Snow White? Is it so boring that it’ll make you Sleepy? Or is this movie going to make everyone Grumpy?
We all know the story. There’s a princess named Snow White. The evil queen is jealous of her beauty. So, she tries to have the princess unalived. Snow White escapes into the forest. Finds a cottage with seven dwarfs. The queen disguises herself as an old hag. Gives Snow White a poisoned apple. Snow White falls into a deep sleep. A prince drops by to kiss her. She wakes up. And they all live happily ever after. The end.
The live-action film essentially follows the same plot as the original animated feature. However, like most other live-action remakes, Disney has made several changes to make the film longer and more “developed.”
Let’s get one thing straight: the live-action Snow White is bad. However, contrary to the backlash by terminally-online angry dorks, this movie isn’t bad because it’s “woke.” This movie wasn’t “ruined” because of “wokeness” or “DEI” or any other empty buzzword. This movie is bad because it’s bad.
But before I tear this movie a new one by explaining why it’s bad, allow me to comment on some of the “good” things about the movie.
First, the lead actress, Rachel Zegler. Contrary to what terminally-online angry dorks may say, she is not the “worst” thing about this movie. While her performance as the titular Snow White isn’t perfect, it’s quite evident she’s a talented actress making due with the script she was given. She is a Broadway-trained actress with a background in musical theater, after all. And that’s not a pedigree to sneeze at. The girl clearly has acting chops, and she knows how to carry a tune. Again, while her performance wasn’t perfect, it was still rather decent.
Next, the opening act. The original animated movie simply dropped the audience into the story in media res, only offering a few sentences from a storybook to deliver the backstory. In this remake, Snow White’s backstory is more developed. We’re shown her childhood living in her happy kingdom with her mother and father before the evil queen showed up to ruin everything.
And then there’s the opening number. Several new songs were written for the live-action remake. And out of all of them, “Good Things Grow” is probably the only one I’d consider good. It’s a real jovial, toe-tapping number that sets up how good Snow White’s kingdom was before the Evil Queen took over. In fact, it’s one of the best numbers in the films, and one that I enjoyed.
Sadly, it’s the only good song in the movie. And those were the only few good things about it. Everything else? Not so much.
While Rachel’s performance as Snow White was fair, Gal Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen, on the other hand, like the Queen herself, proved not to be the fairest in the land. You have to feel sorry for Galdot. While her performance as Wonder Woman was superb, her other performances in other movies show she’s not that great of an actress. And whoever said Gal Gadot could sing was lying.
Oh, yes! Gal Gadot sings. The Evil Queen gets her own villain song. But don’t expect a “Poor Unfortunate Souls” or “Be Prepared.” In fact, her song, “All Is Fair,” sounds exactly like what you would get if you fed all of the other Disney villains songs into AI and asked it to create a new song. It’s that generic and unappealing. And Gadot’s lack of singing ability doesn’t help.
Speaking of musical numbers, all of the other original songs aren’t any better. “Waiting on a Wish” also sounds like what you would get if you fed every Disney “I Want” song into AI and asked to make a similar song. It even sounds eerily similar to Moana’s “How Far I Go” mashed up with Wish’s “This Wish.”
“Princess Problems” is so bland and forgettable I even forgot what it was about other than Snow and her prince bickering. And the “Hand Meets A Hand” musical number is essentially a less enthusiastic version of Tangled’s “I See The Light”, even down to the princess and her love interest singing about how much they’ve come to have feelings for each other, all while surrounded by glowing lights.
And let’s talk about the prince character. Evidently, the movie makers wanted to better develop his character, seeing as how the prince in the original animated film didn’t make much of an appearance, let alone say that many lines. So, the good news is that the prince in this version was given a character.
The bad news is that he was given Flynn Ryder’s character from Tangled. I’m not kidding. The “prince” isn’t even a prince in this version. Instead, he’s the leader of a band of robbers who reside in the woods and steal in the name of the King. (Think Robin Hood and his Merry Men!) He’s a charismatic, sarcastic vagabond who doesn’t see the point in doing anything but stealing, only to be encouraged by the main female character that there’s more to him than being a lowly thief.
In other words, he’s Flynn Ryder from Tangled. He even looks like him sans the goatee!
And you know how the prince in the original movie didn’t have a name? Well, this prince—er, theif!—does. His name is Jonathan. Yes, Jonathan. A name so generic and bland you’ll forget what it was, even after he introduces himself.
But perhaps the worst aspect of the movie is the seven dwarves. Remember how the dwarves in the animated movie had unique designs that revealed their characters and personalities without needing to tell you their names? How you could tell Sneezy looked sneezy? Or Sleepy looked sleepy? Or Grumpy looked grumpy?
Well, in the live-action remake, all of the dwarves are CGI abominations straight from the Uncanny Valley with the most generic-looking character designs. And unlike their animated counterparts, whose designs were so unique you could tell who was who without them telling you their names, these computer-animated atrocities need to introduce themselves via song.
Yes, both “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work” make a comeback in this movie. And in both cases, both performances are needlessly overblown with bombastic orchestrations and additional lyrics to make them more “cinematic” for live-action.
Returning to the dwarves, originally, and allegedly, Disney had planned to cast little people to play them. But Peter Dinklage got all grumpy (pun intended!) on a podcast, so Disney made them all CGI. That’s disappointing. By trying not to appear offensive toward little people, they robbed actual little people of an opportunity to appear in motion pictures. By trying to be “culturally sensitive”, Disney ended up engaging in cultural erasure.
Overall, if you want to watch a live-action Snow White, consider watching Snow White & The Huntsman or Mirror, Mirror. Neither film is perfect, but they’re sure to be more entertaining than watching Disney’s live-action leftovers. Give Snow White as much attention as the other Disney live-action movies deserve. Which is none!
FWC – The 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ kicked off today, with competitors starting as early as 12:01 this morning, searching the Everglades to find and remove invasive Burmese pythons. While registration is still open, hundreds of people have already registered for a chance to win their share of up to $10,000 in prizes while working to protect Florida’s native wildlife and our incredible Everglades ecosystem. This year’s competition features the exciting addition of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge locations.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District host the annual python removal competition to increase awareness about invasive species in the state and the threats they pose to Florida’s ecology. Want to compete but not yet registered? Registration will remain open until the last day of the competition, Sunday, July 20 — visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register and learn more. There is a $25 registration fee and participants must pass the required online training to complete their registration for this year’s event. Once registered, participants are invited to visit one of our Training Outposts during opening weekend for additional instruction from experts, located at each check station from 4-7 p.m., July 11-13.
This year, a total of $25,000 in cash prizes is available. Participants have the opportunity to win the $10,000 Ultimate Grand Prize for the removal of the most pythons during the competition. Participants also have the opportunity to win other cash prizes for most and longest pythons removed in three different categories, including novice, professional and military categories. Prizes will be awarded at a later date after the competition courtesy of our sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
We thank our three different Platinum Level Sponsors – Inversa, Rotary Clubs of Florida, and Mrs. Daphne and Mr. Martin C. Wood III – for donating $10,000 each to support conservation efforts in Florida through the Florida Python Challenge. We also thank our three Gold Level Sponsors – Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands and The Garcia Companies – for their donations of $5,000 each in support of conservation efforts through this event. All prizes support conservation efforts in Florida through the 2025 Florida Python Challenge.
Want to get involved in removal of invasive species at any time of the year? In addition to year-round python removal opportunities on 32 Commission-managed lands, Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required. The FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill invasive pythons from private lands whenever possible.
About Invasive Burmese pythons
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and negatively impact native species. They are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in south Florida where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can lay 50 to 100 eggs at a time. More than 23,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the state since 2000. For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python.
Today’s 3rd Annual Creative Kids’ Market at the Lake Wales Arts Council hosted about 60 vendors and scores of customers, anxious to support local young artisans.
Lake Wales Charter Schools art instructor and owner of Art Barn Studio, Brannan Lawson, has coordinated this event each year. She says this one really went to the next level.
“We had many new artisans attend this year,” says Lawson.
Tommy Frank, executive director at Lake Wales Arts Council, says the continued success of this event also ties into other programs LWAC offers to young artists like today’s participants.
“In just three years, the Creative Kids Market has become a highly anticipated event in Lake Wales. What Brannan Lawson has done to encourage young artists to put themselves and their artwork ‘out there’ for the public to appreciate and purchase is a gift to them and this community.
“At the LWAC, we could not be more proud to partner and host such events! In the coming months and years, we will be offering art programs to encourage young artists in their artistic skills, making events like the CKM even more meaningful and enjoyable for everyone.”
This year’s event filled Updike Hall, as well as the gallery on the main floor. Shoppers were offered bags to carry their precious purchases, ranging from artwork and jewelry to bake goods and freeze dried items.
The event is intended to inspire and give experience to young entrepreneurs interested in creating and sharing artisan goods. Spaces were available to students of elementary age and older, many of whom attend local schools.
Michelle Estock, of Winter Haven, found out about the event online due to its popularity in previous years. Her daughter, Elleana Combs, 9, a Girl Scout with Troop 75103, was eager to participate, and created some jewelry items as well as examples of her sun printing.
Elleana says she had an special reason for coming to the event.
“I wanted to help the families who lost a child at Camp Mystic feel better,” she says.
She was able to make around $200 and she wants the money to go to the families of victims killed in the Texas floods at Camp Mystic, a summer camp that lost 27 campers and counselors to date .
“She just wanted to make a difference and decided to donate half of her earnings today on behalf of her troop,” her mom says. “We wish we could make a bigger difference.”
Other young artisans, were happy to converse with shoppers and explain what they created. Juliette Tropea, 9, and her brother, Noah Tropea, 6, baked a Too Much Chocotake cake and made chocolate covered pretzels.
“There’s a whole bag of chocolate chips in that cake,” Juliette explained.
If you haven’t heard about Pixar’s newest movie, Elio, don’t worry! A lot of people didn’t. In fact, when it was released last month, the film suffered the worst box office opening in Pixar’s history, earning only $21 million domestically its opening weekend. Couple that with the film’s troubled production and its delayed release date, and it feels like the movie was doomed on arrival.
But did Elio deserve to underperform at the box office? Did this film deserve to go unnoticed with its severe lack of marketing? Or is it a hidden gem that fell to Earth?
Elio is an average kid that no one understands. After his parents pass away, he becomes obsessed with space. He even wants to be abducted by aliens because he feels so out of place on Earth.
His wish soon comes true after transmitting a message to space. He is abducted by aliens who assume he is the leader of Earth and wish to bring the planet into their “Communiverse.” They even task him with negotiating with a savage warlord who demands to join the Communiverse or else destroy it.
Will Elio get out of his interplanetary predicament? Will he convince the warlord to stand down by befriending his son? Or is his endeavor as doomed as his life on Earth?
Several critics have denounced Elio as the worst Pixar movie. It’s not. Not when Cars 2 and The Good Dinosaur exist. As big of a flop as it was, Elio is not a bad movie.
That’s not a compliment.
Because at least you can discuss a bad movie. You can talk about how bad it was. In the same way, you can talk about how a good movie was good. At least you can talk about a good or bad movie.
But what about a movie that’s neither good nor bad? A bland movie? A mediocre movie. A boring movie. You can’t because there’s not much good or bad to talk about. However, seeing as I paid good money to watch the movie, I might as well recompense myself by writing a review, even if I have to scrape the proverbial barrel to do so.
First, some positives. The overall art designs of everything space and space-related were gorgeous. Especially when young Elio visits the Communiverse and sees all of the different alien species, all of which are unique and vibrantly colored and designed.
Another good thing: this movie is only 90 minutes long. Yes, that’s a plus. Especially when so many blockbusters insist on being two-to-three-hour watches. This movie isn’t perfect, but at least it’s over pretty quickly.
And that’s where the positives end. Everything about this movie is generic. The story is generic. The characters are generic. Even the designs of the human characters look generic.
Several recent Pixar movies like this one, along with Turning Red and Luca, exhibit what has since become known as “bean mouth design”—for the obvious reason that many of the characters appear overly-simplistic with bean mouths.
One reviewer even complained it was hard to enjoy the movie because she had to remind herself it wasn’t a GrubHub commercial. Because the characters look that bland and generic.
This movie could have also been better developed, with the overall story refusing to “show, don’t tell.” For example, we’re told that the main character feels out of place and has trouble relating to other people. We’re told that only his parents were able to understand him, and that he feels alone ever since they left. And we’re told that he and his aunt have a strained relationship. But we’re never really shown any of this.
We never really get to see what his life was like before his parents died. We never really see his strained relationship with his aunt outside of her shrugging off his obsession with wanting to be abducted by aliens (which is quite a normal reaction). We never even see him being mocked, teased, or ignored by other children. We do see him being berated by very generic bully characters, but for reasons outside of his alien obsession.
This movie could have benefited from some additional scenes. Maybe a few flashbacks of him and his parents contrasted with scenes of him not fitting in with other children or failing to connect with his aunt. Instead, we’re simply subjected to a montage of him skipping school to lie on the beach waiting to be abducted by aliens, and expected to assume this is why he’s not connecting with anyone else in his life.
Is this still a good movie for kids? Sure. It’s harmless enough. And small children are most likely to be entertained by it. Then again, kids are easily entertained by the likes of Cocomelon, Blippi, and Ms. Rachel. However, unlike any of that slop, watching this movie won’t rot their brains or attention spans. Overall, Elio is good. Just not good enough. It’s bland, boring, and forgettable.
Lake Wales, FL – Emergency crews responded to a traffic crash late Friday morning at the intersection of 11th Street South and State Road 60 in Lake Wales.
The crash was reported around 11:28 a.m., prompting a multi-agency response that included the Lake Wales Police Department, Lake Wales Fire Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue. Several fire rescue units were dispatched, including LWEN1, LWLT5, LWRQ1, MR026, and MR218.
Initial reports confirm that injuries were sustained in the crash. The extent of those injuries has not yet been released.
One vehicle came to rest in the center of the intersection, while responders could be seen tending to an individual on the ground nearby.
As of 11:45 a.m., eastbound traffic on State Road 60 near the intersection is partially blocked, but they were working quickly to clear the scene.
Visitors to Lake Wales may soon be able to consume alcoholic beverages while perusing the downtown area if city commissioners approve an ordinance creating a social district.
At their workshop meeting on Wed. July 9, 2025, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed an ordinance proposing the creation of an Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) District.
This social district, as explained by Autumn Cochella, Director of Growth Management, would “allow visitors to enjoy an adult beverage while strolling downtown sidewalks and exploring the local storefronts.”
The district would be created through provisions and amendments within the Code of Ordinances under Chapter 5 (Alcoholic Beverages) with associated amendments to Sections18-82 and 18-87 and sections of the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) (Chapter 23, Lake Wales Code of Ordinances).
These proposed amendments would permit signage “clearly delineating the boundaries” of where alcohol can be consumed within the downtown area, require beverages to be consumed within containers approved by the City,” and direct registered establishments to provide “signage and guidance for customers regarding the district guidelines.”
This social district was proposed to help spur further economic development and activity within the downtown area, all of which have been facilitated through the Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan and the Lake Wales Envisioned plan.
“Additionally, there is a desire by the city and its residents to create a vibrant downtown that is walkable and pedestrian-friendly to encourage residents and visitors to visit more than one local business during their visit,” Cochella wrote.
“This [social district] encourages them to linger and spend more time in the downtown area. Increased time downtown equals increased window shopping, which results in an increase in sales for local businesses,” she further elaborated.
City Manager James Slaton expressed enthusiasm for this proposal, as it would allow Lake Wales to create the first social district of its kind within Polk County.
“The goal is to attract people to downtown and support local businesses downtown to sell a product,” he said. “I am pushing for this. [It is] time to do the next cool thing and be first in the county yet again.”
Both Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson and Commissioner Keith Thompson expressed their interest in the proposal. Commissioner Thompson claimed it would encourage more people, residents and visitors alike, to visit the downtown area and partake in local businesses.
“Part of what we are doing in downtown…is encouraging people to be mobile and walk downtown and…not drive your car down there,” he said. “I would hope with the creation of this district,this could be a great encouragement.”
However, Commissioner Carol Gilespie expressed some concern. She felt that, by encouraging drinking, the district would facilitate intoxication and rowdy behavior.
“If what you are doing is making it easier to walk around and drink instead of sitting in bars to drink, I do not think there is much benefit in that,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Gibson rebuffed her. He mentioned how the city has hosted many events with social drinking and not once has he ever encountered any problems involving drunkenness.
“I have not witnessed one drunk [at these events],” he said. “So let’s not leap [to thinking] that if we allow drinking, we will have drunks. We have allowed drinking, we have not had any drunks. And if we have drunks, we can take care of them.”
Commissioner Thompson likewise mentioned how he has frequented many local events that permitted drinking, and never did he experience any drunken or unruly behavior.
“I do not get the sense that we will have a problem with this [district],” he said. “Of the events we have attended, I have not seen public intoxication or drunkenness. It is only people who want to have a good time with a wine or drink.”
Police Chief Chris Velasquez addressed the commission to voice his support for the district. He mentioned that, if any potential problems were to be created from it, he would have opposed it on the spot and recommended alternative proposals.
“Thinking about this endeavor, I believe that people will act in a way that the environment promotes,” he explained. “I believe if the culture and control and management of thbis initiative isdone properly, it is not going to create an atmosphere that people can believe they can come in and get flat hammered and walk around act like a fool. If that were to begin to transpire, we can change that.”
The ordinance will be reviewed and voted upon at the commission’s upcoming regular meeting, scheduled for Tues., July 15 at 6 PM at Lake Wales City Hall.
