This morning at the Winter Park Chamber Commerce, City Commissioner Steve Leary and former Judge Cynthia Mackinnon met for the third time to debate in front of the voters and make their case why they should be the next elected leader of their community.
This third meeting was tamer than the first two debates between the candidates, in what has been a grueling race (you can read about those two meetings HERE and HERE). This forum also covered new ground that hadn’t previously been discussed.
Both candidates agreed that the city had a parking problem. They also both supported more Bed and Breakfast types of lodging in the city, and the rights of property owners. Mackinnon and Leary also both wished for more places for children to build community in Winter Park.
When it came to economic incentives for proper development, Mackinnon pushed for incentives for more higher end redevelopment. Leary urged that the community needed to be friendly about working with potential development partners “We have to be friendly about it” he stated “Let’s just have an open discussion.”
The topic of the the Park near the center of town was an issues. Leary said it was a tool “to bring the community together” and Mackinnon pointed it out as one of the community’s best assets “You ride the train in from the north, and you see warehouses and factories. Then you get here and you see kids throwing frisbees, and couples on park benches making out” she said in a moment of humor in the forum.
Leary and Mackinnon were both asked if any budgetary or organizational changes were needed in the city’s government. Leary said there was always an opportunity for change if the time and conditions were right. Mackinnon said she would like for the members of the commission to have more control in the staffing of boards.
Despite being in an emotional Op-Ed interview with the Orlando Sentinel two days earlier (story HERE), the candidates were asked to say something nice about their opponent. Mackinnon complimented Leary on his family and his wife, and Leary admired his opponent’s years of service on the bench.
In the end both candidates flexed their values. Mackinnon pushed away Washington style partisan-ship. “I’m a Judge. I make decisions on the facts” she said. Leary spoke of the direction he wanted his campaign to take. “When you take the high road, you’d be surprised how many people want to be in the car with you.”
The candidates will debate two more times before their March 10th election.
Leary and Mackinnon debated for the third time this morning
It was another capacity crowd to watch the two debate
Tags: cynthia mackinnon, florida political news, frank torres orlando, orlando politics, steve leary, The Feed, winter park chamber of commerce, winter park mayor race
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