Don’t miss yesterday’s recap: City Council Meeting April 2026- Part I! All about Westlake’s forthcoming Walmart.
1) SWEARING IN OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS – I arrived exactly on time which was apparently too late to take photos for the swearing in of Mayor J.P. O’Connor, Vice Mayor Greg Langwoski, and Councilmember Erik Gleason. They all have been renewed for four year terms. And our Vice Mayor Greg Langowski is again our Vice Mayor! Well-deserved if I do say so myself. Congratulations everyone!
If you’re thinking of running for Westlake City Council, it’s not too early to start prepping! Councilmembers Charlotte Leonard and Gary Werner’s terms are up in 2028. And you know time flies….
2) SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY – This one is time sensitive as a decision will be made by May Day! Every dollar counts!
Straight from the Cresswind Women’s Club to SRHS seniors:
“Cresswind Women’s Club is at it again… A Force for Good!
The Cresswind Women’s Club, through its Scholarship Committee, is again offering two (2) $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to eligible graduating seniors from Seminole Ridge Community High School. Applicants must be attending a Florida college, university, or trade school. The area of study should directly benefit the citizens and/or the State of Florida, such as: Environmental Sciences, Teaching, Political Science, Medical Services, Fire Fighting, Law Enforcement, or any Trade.
The “simple” application is posted on the school’s “Scholarship Page”.
Application DEADLINE is April 17th. Decisions will be made by April 30th and the awardees will be notified soon after.”
3) PBSO – There were 18(!) crashes in March. This was almost double February’s 10 crashes. Please get off the phones, stay alert, be careful out there. Pedestrians and bicyclists and scooterers, too. Let’s “talk” to each other: with nods, waves, a flicker of our brights, our turn signals… Communication on the road is key.
PBSO reports that the Pines, in particular, is experiencing a majority of these crashes probably due to confusion/chaos of the construction. I remember these bad ol’ days in the Hammocks.
And Cresswinders! Ooooohhhhh! You guys got called out for being pulled over for driving too fast, often with the excuse of “oh… didn’t know it was only 30 mph”!
Otherwise, still no real crime to report. Keep it up Westlake!
4) BIG PARK – Florida legislative sessions have closed, but there are still some special sessions going on that could appropriate funds for Westlake’s planned community park and/or for the GoWest program which would provide public transit to and from Westlake.
Any appropriations would still have to survive the Governor’s pen, which they did not last year.
5) NEW CITY MANAGER HIRE – Mayor O’Connor is Westlake’s point person for the hiring of our potential new city manager Mr. Howard W. Brown Jr. Mayor O’Connor says that comprehensive contract negotiations have been happening behind the scenes between the city and Mr. Brown. Mayor O’Connor is ready to present the contract and negotiation details to the rest of the council.
Westlake’s Acting City Clerk Odet Izquierdo will coordinate a date and time for the council to meet publicly to discuss and finalize the issue. Stay tuned.
6) WESTLAKE ELEMENTARY GROUNDBREAKING – is scheduled for Thursday April 30th at 9AM. And you know where!
7) EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD NEWS – Next EAB meeting is Thursday April 30th, 6PM at 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney.
Westlake resident Chad Lovitt was appointed a regular member of the Board, from his position as Board alternate. Congratulations and thank you, Mr. Lovitt!
The EAB is planning to recognize SRHS dual-enrolled graduates at May’s City Council meeting (Cinco de Mayo). These are SRHS students who are graduating with associates degrees! (Ekkk!!! I would have LOVED this opportunity/challenge back in the day…) So impressive.
Westlake’s first Teacher of the Year will also be presented at the May 5th meeting. Don’t miss it!
8) PBCFR – Fire Rescue gets to our homes on an average of six minutes, 11 seconds. Impressive. But still, better not to have an emergency, please!
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