CAROLE PHILIPSON

for Lakeland City Commissioner at Large

Listen, Learn, Lead

I’m Carole Philipson, and I’m running for the Lakeland City Commission. While I am Listening and Learning to your input for City priorities, please take a moment to learn more about me.

Carole Philipson

Support the Campaign Here

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Carole Philipson Lakeland City Commissioner at Large

Listen, Learn, Lead

I’m Carole Philipson, and I’m running for the Lakeland City Commission. While I am Listening and Learning to your input for City priorities, please take a moment to learn more about me.

Carole Philipson

Support the Campaign Here

Carole Philipson Lakeland City Commissioner at Large

LISTEN

My involvement in a variety of organizations has helped me understand different perspectives on issues the City deals with, from regulations to how money is spent. I appreciate hearing what citizens want, and I believe in looking for new ideas and ways to approach old issues.

LEARN

I take this opportunity to serve seriously. Over the past year, I have regularly attended City Commission meetings, CRA workshops, and budget retreats to educate myself on processes and issues. I completed the Chamber’s Public Policy Leadership Institute. What I’ve learned through experience ranging from unions and construction regulations to strategic planning and small business will be valuable on the Commission.

LEAD

I have a track record in leadership as a health care executive and as a board member of multiple community organizations. As a hospital vice-president, I led departments with hundreds of employees, always focused on serving patients and families in our community. Commissioners are elected to represent the public’s best interests, and I am committed to that priority.

LISTEN

My involvement in a variety of organizations has helped me understand different perspectives on issues the City deals with, from regulations to how money is spent. I appreciate hearing what citizens want, and I believe in looking for new ideas and ways to approach old issues.

LEARN

I take this opportunity to serve seriously. Over the past year, I have regularly attended City Commission meetings, CRA workshops, and budget retreats to educate myself on processes and issues. I completed the Chamber’s Public Policy Leadership Institute. What I’ve learned through experience ranging from unions and construction regulations to strategic planning and small business will be valuable on the Commission.

LEAD

I have a track record in leadership as a health care executive and as a board member of multiple community organizations. As a hospital vice-president, I led departments with hundreds of employees, always focused on serving patients and families in our community. Commissioners are elected to represent the public’s best interests, and I am committed to that priority.

WHY AM I RUNNING?

Lakeland projects significant growth in the next 20 years. We need a commissioner with the vision and leadership to maintain and improve our quality of life. I believe my background uniquely qualifies me to serve as your commissioner.

Campaign Announcement

WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE FOR ME?

I believe I offer a different business perspective to the commission than is currently represented. I have been a small business owner, and I have worked in large organizations with similarities to the City’s operations and size. I’m a former vice-president of three major health systems. At these, my job included strategic planning and oversight of safety/security, facility management and construction, emergency preparedness, among other areas. All these functions are vital to City operations, as well. I understand regulations and budgeting, and how they affect city residents and businesses of all sizes. Safety and security are big issues right now, for neighborhoods, schools, and public facilities. I have been a part of developing policies and implementing plans for major health systems, and I can use that experience to benefit Lakeland.

I have also been active in many City agencies and civic organizations throughout my years in Lakeland.

I believe in being involved and giving back to my community.

My community involvement includes:

about me

City/County Board Appointments

  • Lakeland Police Pension Board Trustee (current)
    Certified public pension trustee by Florida Public Pension Trustee Association

  • Enterprise Zone Board, City of Lakeland, past Chair

  • Lakeland Mid-Town Community Redevelopment Agency, past Chair

  • Polk County Efficiency Commission

Leadership

  • Lakeland Vision, Board member

  • Polk Vision Steering Committee, past member

  • Leadership Lakeland, Class 17

  • Leadership Polk, Class 2

  • Citizens’ Police Academy, graduate

  • Public Policy Leadership Institute

  • Lakeland Chamber of Commerce

Arts and Culture

  • Polk Museum of Art, past Board member

Awards

  • 2012 Woman of Distinction, National Association of Women Business Owners

K-12 Education, Colleges and Universities

  • University of South Florida Polytechnic, Campus Regional Board Member (2001-2010)

  • University of South Florida Foundation Board member (2011-present)

  • USF Women in Leadership in Philanthropy

  • All Saints Academy, past Board member

Service Organizations

  • American Cancer Society West Polk, past President

  • Goodwill Industries – Suncoast, Board member, Senior vice chair

  • Guardian ad Litem, volunteer

  • Kiwanis Club of Downtown Lakeland, past Board member

  • GiveWell Foundation Regional Advisory Council

  • Central Florida Healthcare (FQHC), past Board member

Banks

  • Citizens Bank Advisory Board, past member

Professional Organizations

  • American Business Women’s Association

  • Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives

WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE?

Because the decisions made by the City Commission affect your everyday life. You want Commissioners who will listen to your concerns, learn about all sides of issues, and lead with integrity. You want people who are experienced and willing to collaborate within groups.

In smaller, local elections like this, every vote makes a big difference. Turnout is often low, so candidates could be elected by fewer people and may not represent the larger population. Turnout can be determined by a group with strong feelings about one issue, rather than fully evaluating the bigger picture. Your Vote is Your Voice.

Issues the City Commission addresses include:

  • Are streets and neighborhoods safe?

  • Do we balance business development with quality of life?

  • Are parks, streets, and landscaping well-maintained, and does the City strive to be environmentally-friendly?

  • Are City departments helpful to small business owners?

  • Do we have enough affordable housing to attract young professionals to live and work here?

  • Do we embrace technology and new ideas for improvement?

  • How does the City hold vendors, agencies, employees accountable?

Your Vote is Your Voice

Key Issues /Positions

Red light cameras

I notice more people slowing down at yellow lights and being more cautious. However, I need to see the data on safety and ticketing, along with the contract, before taking a position.

Public safety and emergency preparedness

Lakeland faces risks every hurricane season, during Sun ‘N Fun, during Spring Training. I’ve heard many positive comments about the communications from Lakeland Electric during Hurricane Irma. That kind of emergency requires good training and preparation. I’ve coordinated emergency preparedness activities for major facilities, working with local response agencies.

Road diet

We won’t know until we try it. The current lanes are too narrow for the larger vehicle sizes we see today, and the narrow sidewalks make the area unsafe for pedestrians. This configuration was engineered with community input, and we should test it to determine pro’s and con’s before making a final decision.

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