Sparks fly at Lakeland Board of Commissioners meeting
The Lakeland Board of Commissioners includes Mayor Josh Roman (left); Vice Mayor Michele Dial (second from left), and commissioners Jim Atkinson (center), Connie McCarter and Derek Johnston. (Courtesy City of Lakeland)
The tension between Lakeland officials boiled over Thursday night during Lakeland’s Board of Commissioners meeting.
During a discussion regarding a late addition to the agenda, Commissioner Connie McCarter, Mayor Josh Roman and other Lakeland commissioners got into a tense exchange near the end of the meeting. McCarter, in her first term on the board, has questioned Roman about adding agenda items without notice.
In this case, Roman requested a resolution to approve an additional $70,000 to the Lakeland School System for upgrades to the sound system at the Lakeland Preparatory School football field. Adding it to the agenda was approved by a 5-0 vote — including McCarter — at the start of the meeting.
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City of Lakeland Lakeland Board of Commissioners Lakeland Prep Lakeland Mayor Josh Roman Commissioner Connie McCarter Michele Dial Subscriber OnlyAre you enjoying your subscription?
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Michael Waddell
Michael Waddell is a native Memphian with more than 20 years of professional writing and editorial experience, working most recently with The Daily News and High Ground News.
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