Lake Wales Commissioner Al Goldstein Runs for Re-election to Seat 4
Al Goldstein was first elected in April 2019 to Seat 4, District 27
“I’m finally understanding the job of a city commissioner,” Goldstein said. “Either you’re dedicated to the job, as some of us are now, or you just go in and show up.”
“Accountability – that should be our motto right now,” Goldstein said. “We have a mission statement coming out, but I think we should use the word accountability. I jumped all over that word.
“Accountability. That’s us. That’s what we stand for.”
Since commissioners are not allowed to discuss city business with each other outside of official meetings, Goldstein said the workshops have been eye opening and have promoted better decision making and open communications.
“We don’t always agree – when we get into conversations and get down deep in problems we are able to see things we weren’t able to see before,” said Goldstein, who strongly opposed the city’s mask mandate that was approved by a 3-2 vote. “Even if they get upset with one another, that’s fine, we just work things out.”
Goldstein stops by city hall several times a week and meets with City Manager James Slaton and some of his key staff to better understand city operations.
Goldstein said he is pleased with the city’s progress during his first 16 months in the job, including road paving, park improvements, purchasing the YMCA, sale of the historic 1919 building to the Lake Wales Charter Schools and work on better police community relations.
“I really want to be proud of my city. We’re on the right track now,” Goldstein said. “We have a good board that understands each other.”
Goldstein said he has learned a lot this year serving on the Florida League of Cities Federal Action Strike Team and was pleased to recently be named chairman of the league’s legislative committee on land use and economic development.
“I wish I was 50 years old right now – now that I see how political action works it gives me incentive to work harder,” said Goldstein, who just turned 79. “There are programs I didn’t even know were available to our city – dollar savings programs. I don’t want to be behind other cities in the county or in the state.”
Growing business, jobs, affordable and executive housing are all important to Goldstein, who says he is upset about the deteriorating condition of the Eagle Ridge Mall, and because “the mall is a disgrace, I’m glad we don’t have a sign ‘Welcome to Lake Wales’ at the north end of our city.”
He expresses concerns that corporations have chosen to bypass Lake Wales for nearby communities, like Frostproof. He also wants more accountability for the funds the city pays the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Committee and Lake Wales Main Street to attract business.
“I’m not only challenging the Chamber of Commerce, but I’m challenging us on the commission,” Goldstein said. “We shouldn’t take criticism personally – we have to think of criticism as building blocks.”
Goldstein frequently speaks about his commitment to the city’s northwest community and wants the city to develop a Black music and cultural center to help minority children have pride in their heritage. But he often reminds commissioners that they must consider needs throughout the city.
“We’re going to be a great city – I think we have some great years ahead of us,” he said.
Goldstein has cultivated relationships at the local, state and national level, receiving endorsements from state Rep. Melony Bell, Sheriff Grady Judd and Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell.
“Al is a man of unwavering principle with a strong conservative foundation,” Braswell wrote in an endorsement letter addressed to the citizens of Lake Wales. “He is an asset to the community and has shown to be a leader during his first term in office. Al is committed to his community and can be counted on to make the tough decisions required of a city commissioner.”
Goldstein chairs the Florida League of Cities Land Use and Economic Development Committee and serves on the Federal Action Strike Team, which visits Washington DC to discuss legislative issues at the national level. He has worked closely with Bell and other lawmakers to advocate for Lake Wales.
Bell said she was honored to endorse Goldstein for re-election.
“He has shown strong leadership from the time he was sworn into office by hitting the ground running. He began by educating himself on the budget and the needs of the city,” Bell wrote in her endorsement. “Al has been a positive voice for Lake Wales by advocating at our Capitol in Tallahassee. He is a true believer in “home rule” when elected officials from Municipalities should rule by making policy on a local level instead of the State of Florida. He is always demanding that Tallahassee Legislators do not put any unfunded mandates on municipalities.”
In his endorsement of Goldstein, Judd wrote: “Commissioner Goldstein is honest and ethical. He listens to his constituents and makes decisions in the best interest of all the city residents, rather than rendering knee jerk positions out of emotion. That is why I support Al for reelection.”
Goldstein said he is thankful for the endorsements from Bell, Judd and Braswell and “for all those who have supported me and the folks who didn’t know or support me previously are finding out that I am a commissioner that works for all our city and will continue to do that.
“My exposure working with county commissioners, state representatives and all the FLC has been educational and has contributed to my growth as a representative of our city, and I believe it is helping guide the growth of our city.”
Meet Al Goldstein :
Goldstein and his wife of 31 years, Shirley, moved to Lake Ashton six years ago, returning to his home state. His family traces its Florida roots back to 1845, and Goldstein grew up in Hollywood in South Florida. He served as a U.S. Marine, worked in government and contract services and owned his own business prior to retiring in 1995. Al was the former 1st Vice Chair of the Polk County Republican Executive Committee.
“I’ve had my years of playing golf,” Goldstein said. “I fished as a kid. Maybe if I’m alive and well by the time my time is over with the city I can go back to doing some fishing.”
Reporting from LakeWalesNews.Net