Elections 2026 – Interview with Mayor J.P. O’Connor

 

And here’s what Mayor J.P. O’Connor has to say!

 

 

 

My motivation to serve Westlake is deeply personal. I moved here when the city was in its earliest stages, and as one of the very first residents, I consider myself part of the pioneering group that helped bring Westlake to life. When I first arrived, much of what we see today was still just a vision on paper. Being part of turning that vision into a real, thriving community has been incredibly meaningful.

I’m also the father of two young children—five and three years old—and that perspective shapes how I think about every decision we make as a city. I’m not just serving as Mayor,  I’m raising my family here. The parks we build, the schools our kids attend, the safety of our neighborhoods, and the strength of our infrastructure are all things that will directly impact my own children.

At the end of the day, I approach this role not just as the Mayor, but as a neighbor and a fellow resident who shares the same hopes for this community as everyone else who has chosen to call Westlake home.

My goal is to help build a resilient, forward-thinking city that will stand the test of time—one that my kids, and hopefully their kids one day, will be proud to call home.

There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping shape a city from its earliest days. Very few people get the opportunity to be involved in building a municipality essentially from the ground up. The decisions we make today—about infrastructure, planning, and community values—will shape Westlake for generations. Knowing that I’ve been able to play a role in laying that foundation is both humbling and deeply rewarding.

 

2) How do you characterize your role on the council? What makes you unique or particularly useful?

 

There’s so much going on behind the scenes—much of which I wish I could write about more often. A large portion of the work that benefits residents happens outside the spotlight, in meetings, calls, and conversations focused on bringing resources, partnerships, and opportunities to Westlake.

Even as I’m answering these questions, I’m in Washington, D.C. meeting with members of our congressional delegation. Yesterday, Monday, I met with staff from Senator Ashley Moody’s office, and this afternoon I have a meeting with Congressman Brian Mast. Those conversations are about making sure Westlake has a seat at the table when it comes to infrastructure, funding opportunities, strategic planning that impacts our residents.

At the regional level, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Palm Beach County League of Cities,  this May I’ll be sworn in as its President.  I also sit on the board of directors of the Florida league of cities. Those roles give Westlake a stronger voice among the municipalities throughout the county and helps ensure our city is part of important regional conversations. I’m also involved at the state level through committees focused on transportation and municipal issues, which is particularly important as our region continues to grow.

All of that work—whether it’s at the county, state, or federal level—is ultimately about one thing: making sure Westlake is well represented and positioned to secure the resources and partnerships needed to support our residents today and into the future.

 

 

Westlake’s biggest challenge is managing growth while protecting the quality of life that attracted residents here in the first place.That means staying ahead of infrastructure needs, particularly when it comes to traffic. As our city continues to grow, I’m very focused on making sure roadway improvements and traffic planning keep pace with development so residents can continue to move around the city and the region safely and efficient.

 

Public safety is an area that remains my top priority. Last year, the City of Westlake recorded ZERO violent crime—not a single instance . That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a strong commitment to investing in public safety, and it’s something we must continue to prioritize as the city grows.

 

If we stay disciplined in our planning and continue investing in infrastructure, and public safety, Westlake can continue to grow the right way while remaining the safe, high-quality community our residents expect.