Powell Is Chosen For Second Term As Winter Haven's Mayor

Published: Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 22, 2012 at 10:31 p.m.

WINTER HAVEN | Mayor J.P. Powell's will sport the city's "bling" for another year.

Enlarge |

J.P. Powell was elected to another term as Winter Haven's mayor by the city commission on Monday.

PIERRE DUCHARME | THE LEDGER

He was chosen for a second one-year term as mayor, again donning the city's gold mayoral chain at Monday's meeting of the City Commission.

Commissioner Jamie Beckett was chosen as mayor pro-tem.

"I thought you were Flavor Flav up there with that necklace around your neck," Polk County Commissioner Todd Dantzler told Powell as he came to the City Hall lectern as a representative of a property being considered for a planned unit development rezoning request.

Don't know who Flavor Flav is? Don't worry, neither did Powell.

Flavor Flav was a member of the ?90s hip-hop group Public Enemy and was known for wearing long chains with large clocks hanging from his neck.

The mayoral chain, a 1988 gift from a sister city, hangs more than a foot off Powell's neck. A hockey-puck-sized medallion hangs from the chain. It's color is gold, but no one is quite sure if it's the real thing. It does stay in the city vault for all but a few days a year, however.

Flavor Flav popularized the role of the "hype man" in a hip hop group ? basically he yelled short statements like "yeah boy" during live performances.

Powell isn't expecting any similar outbursts during meetings.

"No," Powell said. "I share the bling with my fellow commissioners ... but it stays in the vault."

Powell hasn't worn the mayoral chain since he was chosen as mayor last year.

"I didn't even know my name was on there until just now now," Powell said.

Winter Haven commissioners choose a mayor and a mayor pro-tem each year. The floor is opened for nominations, a motion is made in favor of one person and a vote is taken.

Powell and Beckett were the only nominations for their respective positions.

Commissioner Pete Chichetto nominated Powell. Commissioner Nat Birdsong, last year's mayor pro-tem, nominated Beckett.

The mayor serves a one-year term and is paid $14,560. Commissioners are paid $11,590 per year.

The property Dantzler was representing is on Cypress Gardens Boulevard and is about a mile east of Legoland Florida. The planned unit development includes a hotel, restaurants and a convenience store.

A second reading of the proposed ordinance will be read at the first meeting in November.

That meeting is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, because City Hall will be closed on Nov. 12 for Veterans Day.

[ Ryan Little can be reached at ryan.little@theledger.com or 863-401-6962. Follow him on Twitter @LedgerRyan. ]

Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20121022/politics/121029786

orange juice photos doomsday clock nate robinson sharia law sharia law new hampshire primary results