HomeMy WebLinkAboutFormer Commissioner Michael Blake-1996 Oviedo businessman ready to
represent Winter Springs
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Michael Blake,incoming District 2 representative.
BY LINDA HUMPHREY
When Michael Blake fills District 2 seat now occupied by John Ferring,he said he will use
his community service experience and involvement to attract quality businesses and good
jobs,and beautify and develop SR 434 while working to protect the neighborhoods and the
environment
Blake is president of Sunpoint Securities Group in Oviedo.He is married to Lori Blake and
they have two children.The Blakes have lived in Winter Springs in six years.
Blake has served in various city and county organizations including Seminole County
Business&Education Partners in Excellence Program,Seminole County"Career Day 2000,"
Seminole County Schools"Teach In" board member, and served on the Seminole County
School Board Impact Fee Review Committee. He has served on the board of directors,Greater
Oviedo Chamber of Commerce,and received the President's Award for Service and Dedica-
tion,1993,Oviedo Chamber of Commerce.
Blake said he'enjoys serving as coach and sponsor of the Southeast Babe Ruth Baseball
League,and coach of the Winter Springs Youth Basketball League.
Blake's priorities will include reduction of future taxes, Rails to Trails through a new
downtown,police and fire community partnership,and including citizen input which will shape
commission action.
With a campaign slogan of"One city,one future,"Blake said,"I want to keep in touch with
all of Winter Springs and promote
pride in the city we all call home!"
T
Blake Seeks Commission Seat In District Two
by George W. Colombo print a map of the city a few years ago. Now, two other city in Seminole County. "The 434 visioning
Political newcomer Michael Blake declared his or three years later, they're getting ready to print project is fine," he acknowledged, "but people are
candidacy last week for the City Commission seat another map!" tired of hearing about what might get done in the
in District Two. In an exclusive interview with The Mr. Blake mentioned Lake Mary and Altamonte future. The city needs action."
Winter Springs News following his announcement, Springs as examples of Mr. Blake's cam-
Mr. Blake emphasized that it was not a single issue cities that were aggres- ',►N r , - paign is being run with
or personality that motivated him. Rather, it was sively and effectively, er 1=� the help of Tom
his perspective on a wide range of issues that af- positioning themselves ' ' •v*'. , �� _
O'Connell, campaign
fected his decision to run for the seat currently held against their competi- .� i';' manager, and Jim
T ,' t d Matthews, communica-
by a combative and controversial incumbent, John tion. "Take a look at the , � �.� ,,
Ferring. home pages that each of r,;„� " '`�'' ` tions.director. Both men
V
"I am not running against anyone and I am not these cities has set up on are prominent members
running on any one, single issue,” Mr. Blake de- the Internet. These are alb of the Tuscawilla Home-
dared. "I am running because I am not thrilled with cities that have a story .,� owners Association.
the current direction of our city. As a city, we have to tell and are using the __ - ` K Sources close to Mr.
to compete with other cities for new businesses. tools of technology to' Blake's campaign said
We have to compete with other cities for families tell it effectively. Why
''"• t that an endorsement
who are looking for a place to live. Every other isn't Winter Springs do- from that association is
v f expected sometime is actively going after commercial development ing that?"
to improve their tax base. We're not even in the To bolster his posi- �..- Y soon.When asked about
�#` his relationship with
game." tion, Mr. Blake claimed ' Y`''-*'' � z � -�� P
The efforts of the city's Commerce and Indus- that Winter Springs has Michael Blake, candidate for the City Commission Tuscawilla Homeown-'
try Development Board leave him unimpressed. "As more undeveloped com- seat representing District Two, with his family. ers .Association's em-
far as I know, their only accomplishment was to mercial area than any • battled President, Moti
Khemlani, Mr. Blake
was careful in staking out his position."I am Michael
Blake," he declared. "I am not Moti Khemlani."
When pressed further, Mr. Blake said that he does
not expect a formal .endorsement from .Mr.
Khemlani. He explained that he and Mr. Khemlani
are not close, but that they have met "a couple of
times."He added,"I would hope that he would vote
for me."
While members of Mr. Blake's campaign have
been closely associated with the recent controversy
concerning the mall, Mr. Blake believes that the time
has come to put that matter aside. "The issue has
been settled and we need to move on," he said. .
Mr. Blake bristled at the suggestion that his lack
of experience in city government would impede his
effectiveness as a commissioner. "1 have been in- f
volved in this community through civic associations,
schools, and homeowners groups. More important,
I have been tested in business. Running a city is like
running a business. I have the business background
and experience to get the job done." Mr. Blake is
President of Sunpoint Securities, an investment
advisory firm located in Oviedo.
Mr. Blake is 36 years old and has been a Winter
Springs resident for six years. He and his wife Lori
have two children, Melissa, 11, and Michael, 9.