Wilson is an original investor in the 6/10 Corporation, and has served on the board of directors, and as its general counsel. He will be leaving his position as a transactional attorney with Peterson & Myers, P.A.  As president, Wilson will focus on inward operations and execute the company’s growth strategy plan.

Strang has played a leadership role at 6/10 Corporation since its inception. As chief executive officer, he will focus on corporate development and future strategy, overseeing planning, and investigating new projects and acquisitions.

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If April was any indication, Polk County home builders are going to have a busy summer.

Mayor Samuel Pennant said he wondered who it was standing at the back of the room, dimming lights for PowerPoint presentations.

Stewart said Taylor, 38, from Winter Haven will officially start work May 27.

Taylor said he previously served as city manager in Davenport from 2004 to 2007. His resume states that he also worked for Davenport as a staff planner in 2004.

Prior to that, he worked as a cost accounting assistant with Watkins Motor Lines in Lakeland from 2000 to 2004 and as an office assistant, library aide and service worker for the city of Auburndale from 1996 to 2000.

Over the last six years, Taylor said he has managed various veterinarian clinics, except for last year, when he was a laboratory technician for PRI-CMT, a construction materials testing company.

When told local government might not be that exciting, he said he would wait and see.

“I’ve been in small city governments before. It’s a balance,” Taylor said.

The job advertisement Stewart sent out on April 16 said “small town diplomacy and tact is a must.”

It also said Stewart was looking for someone with five years of experience as a manager in the public sector, a strong background in public sector support services and a degree from a four-year university in public administration, political science, business management or a closely-related field.

Salary range is listed as $45,000 to $55,000 a year.

Stewart said the town had received only 10 applications by the May 3 deadline. However, of the 10, nine had bachelor’s degrees and three had master’s either in public administration, business administration or urban planning, Stewart said.

Both Stewart and the Town Commission wanted someone to fill in as an assistant city manager, which Stewart believes Taylor can do.

Taylor said he attended Auburndale High School and has spent his life in Winter Haven and the surrounding area, except when he attended the University of Central Florida from 1997 to 1998.

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By Phil Attinger
THE LEDGER

Citizens that attend these breakfast sessions get to hear from the Mayor about key issues and initiatives taking place within the City.  Mayor Fields also invites questions from the audience and he will share updates on related City projects during the informal session.  This is a chance for residents to converse directly with Mayor Fields on a topics of interest or concern.

Mayor Fields said, “Accessibility is one of the keys to local government and Mornings with the Mayor provides the opportunity for our citizens to share their views, ask questions and provide feedback on issues that are directly affecting them.” He added, “I look forward to spending valuable face to face time with our residents listening to their concerns so I can found out how we can better meet the needs of our residents.”

Those attending will have to pay for their own breakfast.  Fred’s Market serves a reasonably priced breakfast buffet and patrons can order off the menu. The premise behind the Mornings with the Mayor program is to make elected officials more accessible to residents in the community and to promote one-on-one communications.

This program allows residents an informal and comfortable forum in which to meet with the Mayor to talk about issues, ask questions, voice concerns and offer comments or suggestions.  Mayor Fields said, “It’s also an excellent way for us to gather candid feedback about how people feel things are going in our City; what amenities they particularly enjoy, areas they feel could use improvement, or what they’d like to see in the future.”

LAKELAND CHAMBER BLOG

During their morning visit to the high school, nearly two-dozen students from Polk City Elementary built robots out of LEGO blocks, experimented with cow eyes and pieced together the human body using mannequins.

And judging by the giggles, gasps, oohs and ahhs, the kids found it all to be very exciting.

Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate Professor Suzanne Ramjattan Halverson hosted the children, with help from students in her Honors Anatomy & Physiology and STEM Research courses.

Halverson and her students led the kids through a STEM-based game of “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader?” and exercises in building robots, using the lenses of cow eyes to magnify text, and learning about the human anatomy.

“We want to touch on all the various aspects of STEM, but in a hands-on way that will keep the kids engaged and hopefully even motivate and inspire them to continue with STEM education and possibly even careers,” Halverson said.

Among the high school students on hand for the morning was Ashley Cheshire, 18, a senior at the school who will head to Southeastern University later this year to study public relations.

She said attending Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate — and having Halverson for a teacher — forever changed her way of thinking about science. She hoped she could do a bit of the same for the Polk City kids.

“When I came here, it really opened my eyes to the sciences,” she said. “Even if you don’t plan on a career in science, it is still so important in everyday life.”

The teachers who accompanied the children to Polk State said they hope to develop a STEM program at their school, and Monday’s visit is a first step in that direction. They also said they’re thankful the children had the chance to learn from high-school students — who have the ability to make an impression that teachers and other adults can’t always achieve.

“The kids are very impressionable at this age, and they think high-schoolers are just the tops,” said fifth-grade teacher Brett Wiersema.

Assistant Principal Sheila Scott said she was certain the kids would take home a much better understanding of STEM — but so much more, too.

“This is going to give them insight into their future, and show them that science and technology and math are interesting. They’re learning about problem-solving, and that’s something they need for life.”

POLK NEWSROOM

City Council members have decided to set up a workshop in the near future on impact fees and a community redevelopment agency.

The board originally said its decision would be made at its May 28 meeting. But board members decided Tuesday morning to make the decision at its May 22 meeting. The meeting, which will begin at 1 p.m. in the School Board auditorium, will take place after the last of three candidates is interviewed.

Not everyone was in agreement with changing the date. Board member Tim Harris was concerned that the public wouldn’t have the opportunity to hear the final interview of Constance Jones, administrator on assignment in the Lee County School District.

However, School Board Chairwoman Hazel Sellers said during today’s work session that the public will have had ample opportunity to meet the three candidates. In addition, Sellers said moving up the date will give the chosen candidate an opportunity to give notice to his or her district and be prepared to start July 1. Interim Superintendent of Schools John Stewart has agreed to stay until June 30.

School Board member Hunt Berryman said he could see both sides of the argument. Berryman said he would have been OK with moving up the date if Wayne Blanton, the board’s consultant in the superintendent search, was allowed to give input.

Berryman said he had a conversation about Constance Jones, 62, one of three finalists for superintendent, and learned some positive things despite the turmoil she has experienced in the Lee County School District. Jones has yet to be interviewed by the board or attend community meet and greet functions.

The Lee County School Board no longer has confidence in Superintendent Joseph Burke and he recently announced his retirement. The Ledger contacted the Lee County School District’s Chairwoman Mary Fischer and she said a majority of the board would not consider Jones for the position. While Jones has done a great job during her tenure there, Fischer said most board members prefer to look outside to fill the position.

Because Blanton has done extensive background checks on the candidates, he could provide insight to better guide the process, Berryman said.

School Board member Kay Fields said she doesn’t think that would be a good idea. Fields said if board members need to know more about the candidates they should pick up the telephone and call Blanton.

School Board member Debra Wright said she had no problem expediting the process.

“I will be ready to vote on May 22 because I’ve already done my homework,” Wright said.

Jones is scheduled to meet the public in community meet-and-greet sessions Monday at the Jim Miles Professional Development Center in Highland City and May 21 at the Lake Eva Banquet Hall. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. Jones’ final interview with the board is May 22 at 9 a.m.

David Lewis, the district’s associate superintendent of learning, and Kathyn LeRoy, director of high schools for the Duval County School District, 55, met with the public and was interviewed last week.

The first round of interviews of all three finalists is currently being broadcast on the district’s public access television station, PCSBtv, said Leah Lauderdale, senior director of strategic communications.

For the full story, click here.

By Merissa Green
THE LEDGER

The park made the announcement Tuesday, deploying dozens of 3-foot-tall Lego models in downtown Orlando and downtown Tampa to publicize the date. The new interactive element is tied to a Lego product line and an animated TV series scheduled to air on the Cartoon Network beginning in July.

An online contest beginning May 27 offers the chance to win a VIP invitation to the opening ceremony on July 3.

Details can be found atwww.facebook.com/LegolandFlorida.

The focus of the tour is to highlight the positives of recently passed legislation which eliminates the 6% sales tax on manufacturing equipment. Supporters of the tax incentive say it will result in a revenue increase because it encourages manufacturers to hire more workers and boost investment in the state.

“When I talk to families here’s what they say to me. Governor I want a job,” said Scott.

The bill (HB 7007) – approved in the final days of the legislative session – was sent to the governor’s desk last Thursday and he has until May 24 to sign the document into law.

“When you put this money back into manufacturers hands and hire more people and spend more money on research and development and buy more equipment do more marketing it all ends up in more jobs for Florida families,” said Scott.

“The governor has been very consistent since the beginning to saving money for companies so they can hire more people,” Miami-Dade Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa.

The proposal also eliminates a requirement that limits the current exemption on sales tax for manufacturing equipment to those who can show they’ve increased productive output by at least five percent. It also allows a manufacturer to receive a tax exemption for equipment upgrades at an existing facility.

Leasandra Godfrey has been a custodial worker at PortMiami for five years. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is one of the many of the port’s workers who look forward to the trickle down effect of the tax cut.

“You know I’m going to spread the word because everyone in back of me has had someone impacted by the economy, losing a job,” said Godfrey pointing to her co-workers. “So it’s a plus for me and I support it completely.”

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the sales tax break is just another step in making the county more competitive, not just throughout the state but the country.

“We are doing our part here at PortMiami, we’ve done the tunnel, we are going to connect the port to the rail and then finally the deep dredge which will allow more ships to come in,” said Gimenez. “So all of those things are creating jobs, not just today but thousands of jobs in the future.”

The change has been estimated to reduce sales tax collections by $141 million a year. Lawmakers made the tax break good for three years, and delayed its implementation until April 2014.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

CBS LOCAL MEDIA

Arthur F. Kirk Jr., left, president of Saint Leo University, and Chuck Sykes, president/CEO of Sykes Enterprises, shake hands on their agreement Monday to open an education center on the site of the Sykes contact center in Lakeland.

A Lakeland business has joined with a private Catholic university to set up an onsite education center to allow employees and local residents to work on associate or bachelor’s degrees.

Saint Leo University, located about 30 miles north of Tampa, will offer courses at the Sykes Enterprises Inc. contact center location at 1044 Griffin Road in Lakeland.

“This partnership substantially enhances the educational opportunities available to the local workforce,” school spokeswoman Jo-Ann Johnston said. Employees of Sykes who want to seek degrees, along with local residents, will able to take classes through the program.

Students who enroll at the Lakeland Education Center might be eligible for state grant funds or other forms of financial aid. A three-credit undergraduate course will cost $738 in the 2013-14 academic year.

Classes are planned to start this fall. Semesters will last eight weeks.

Starting degree programs will include an associate of arts in business administration, criminal justice or liberals arts and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, business administration and criminal justice; and a bachelor of science in health care management. The business degree will offer specialization in accounting and management. The criminal justice program will offer criminalistics or homeland security.

Andrea Thomas, spokeswoman for Sykes, said the arrangement is highly beneficial to the company. “This offers us a great perk that we can extend to our employees,” she said. “Having an educational institution like Saint Leo University on site will help us with recruitment, and certainly help us with retention, and possibly even management development for our employees.”

The school will be set up in existing space at the Sykes location, she said, and feature classrooms as well as spots students can use for distance learning courses.

For the full story, click here.

By Mary Toothman
THE LEDGER