Two Lakeland residents have filed to run in the special election for the District D (Southeast) City Commission. They will face off in the December 8th special election against incumbent Edie Yates. Election code called for the special election when candidate Edit Yates was left unopposed when James Goetz withdrew from the race.
The candidates are:
Preston D. Studstill, Carleton Street, Lakeland — In 1998, Studstill lost the Republican primary for the Polk County School Board District 6. Studstill was a licensed Registered Roofing Contractor, but has let the license lapse.
At this time, we’ve been unable to reach Studstill for comment about the race.
Patrick Jones, Troy Avenue, Lakeland –Though he mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the same Commission seat in 2005, Jones threw his hat into the ring minutes before the deadline. Jones mentioned concerns about Lakeland Electric as one reason for this campaign and added, “The biggest reason is I don’t think any incumbent needs to run unopposed.”
Jones said his long history in the community, from Dixieland student to Certified Surgical Sterilization Tech at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center, enables him to see how the city has changed. He said service to the city is a prime motivator to his decision to run for office. Jones used this summer’s Lakeland Electric bill problems as one example that the current city commission has lost touch with Lakeland residents, especially those on a fixed income.
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