A few words from Carole's son, Jon Philipson: Growing up, my mom didn’t tell us about community involvement, she showed us. Whether it was taking my brothers and me to a bone marrow drive she helped organize, or checking on friends of friends in the hospital, or flipping pancakes at Kiwanis. She didn’t just talk the talk, she walked the walk.

As I have been out listening to residents in neighborhoods and meetings, I am learning about issues you are passionate about, including broadband. I hear from many of you that you want to have more voice, to let the community decide through a referendum about the future of broadband in Lakeland.

Ideas require action. As an active community member for almost 24 years, I have sat next to you in classrooms, boardrooms, and civic organizations, hearing the passionate ideas of our community – from homeowners, to small business owners, recent graduates, and parents of all ages.

I’ve spent a lot of time understanding the City’s operations and budgeting processes, plus I worked many years on the receiving side of municipal services. With that background, I do not favor the November 5 charter amendment that would make it easier to sell Lakeland Electric to a for-profit power company.

Transportation is a key issue for our City to address as we grow. We have intersections that were not built to handle the growth we are experiencing and will experience in the future. Lakeland must be prepared for these changes.