by Marty Proctor
Groveland City Council candidates each represent one of 5 districts. The entire City votes for each candidate regardless of their district of residence.
Early voting starts October 19 ending October 31 and election day is Tuesday November 3.
The South Lake Tablet asked each candidate three questions:
- Please tell the South Lake County readers about yourself.
- What do you see as the biggest problem facing Groveland?
- What solutions do you suggest?
Barbara Gaines for Groveland
1) I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and a great grandmother. My husband and I have resided in Groveland for the past six years. Serving others is what I do, and I look forward to giving back to the City with Natural Charm. I have faithfully served my family, my country, and my community; and now I want to serve the people of Groveland.
For 35 years, I worked for this country as a public servant for Americans in combat through the Department of Defense; Americans fighting natural disasters for the Bureau of Land Management and Americans pursuing their small business dreams with the Department of the Interior. Our city is one of the fastest-growing in Florida; therefore, it’s important to maintain the smalltown feel as we plan for future growth. I am confident that I can provide forward-thinking insight to enhance Groveland’s potential!
2) COVID-19 is seriously impacting on our economic viability, quality of life, safety, and overall health, and is the biggest threat to our community. While we have learned much about the virus, our residents need to be continuously informed on how this deadly disease is impacting us, directly or indirectly. Without slowing down this horrific pandemic, layoffs will escalate, small businesses will permanently close, and our quality of life will deteriorate.
3) I want to help establish a Small Business Task Force to assess how COVID-19 has affected the City, and plan where go from here. The Task Force and our community should freely voice their concerns and propose recommendations. The combination of detailed processes will be a part of Groveland’s COVID-19 recovery roadmap. Through effective engagement with the Council, the voice of the people will be an active part of implementing a tactical and strategic “survivability and sustainability” plan for economic viability once this disease is defeated.
Dina Sweatt Candidate for Groveland City Council District 3, incumbent
1) I have lived in Groveland for nearly 19 years. I just recently lost my husband of nearly 50 years to covid pneumonia. We have 1 son and 1 granddaughter:
I am very passionate about Groveland and only want the best for her. I have been on the Groveland council since February 2014. I actively attend and help with the events here in Groveland. I am strongly supportive of our veterans through our City memorials and other programs.
I look forward to making decisions with my other fellow council members on the growth of Groveland, we are growing by leaps and bounds and I am honored to be a part of it. I was the one to initiate the ambulance bay for our new safety complex due to open in the spring of 2021.
I have been on many committees including:
- The Florida League of Cities
- Lake League of Cities (2017 president and president elect)
- East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
- Keep Lake Beautiful
- Lake County Metropolitan Planning Organization
- EMS executive board and employee board
- I volunteer my time with many organizations including:
- FAITH Neighborhood food bank 4 days a week gathering food for those in need.
- The Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell
When I took my first mandatory municipal leadership course, the entire class was told, “If you want to get to know your employees and them to know you, send them birthday cards.” I never forgot this so when I returned home 3 days later. I went in search of birthday cards. I found quite a few boxes and personally signed every one of them (back then there were only 95 employees, today there are about 153). To this day, 7 years later I still buy the birthday cards and personally sign each one as well as add a small note. I also send each employee a Christmas card, personally signed by me. I try to get to know all employees as I think each and every one of them is an asset to our city and I am grateful to know each and every one of them.
2) The biggest problem facing Groveland is the uncertainty of when the realignment of Hwy 50 will start and its effect on the redevelopment of the downtown area. I see this as a great opportunity to revitalize and beautify our city.
3) I would like to explore Public/Private Partnerships and other financial opportunities to ensure business and community engagement as our City With Natural Charm grows and changes.
