Dunn asked both candidates\u00a0to\u00a0identify\u00a0their\u00a0first action items and plans\u00a0to implement them after being sworn in mayor. In response, Moore mentioned former City Commissioner Kyle Becker by name, prompting audible reactions and looks from attendees, as Becker sat near the back of the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first action is to be, make sure we have a really good manager, and it won\u2019t be Kyle Becker,\u201d\u00a0she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
When asked to make closing statements, Moore emphasized collaboration and experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Christine Moore, you\u2019ll have a positive, collaborative relationship with county, state and federal agencies,\u201d she said. \u201cI will have no conflicts of interest as I will serve as your full-time mayor, and I will ensure growth pays for itself,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nesta reiterated his commitment to residents, transparency and leadership on the commission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cApopka deserves leadership that isn\u2019t afraid to ask the hard questions, challenge bad decisions and put residents\u2019 needs first,\u201d he said, later adding that he has \u201cprovided a roadmap to its success.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Virginia Street, a local church member who attended the forum, described it as \u201cvery informative\u201d and said the discussion allowed her to better understand how the candidates would involve residents in shaping Apopka\u2019s future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cSome of the questions that I have, of course, are going to be geared to how much the residents will be able to contribute toward the future,\u201d Street said after the forum. \u201cI see that both of the candidates have considered that.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Street also expressed concern that issues like homelessness did not get as much focus, although she spoke to each candidate separately afterward about the unhoused.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Street\u00a0said she is personally involved in helping\u00a0some\u00a0individuals\u00a0vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI attend the church, and there are seniors in the church that I will be taking\u00a0to go\u00a0vote, and then there\u2019s also the unhoused that are also residents that I will be taking\u00a0to go\u00a0vote,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Concluding\u00a0the night, Dunn encouraged voters\u00a0to make sure they\u00a0vote\u00a0in the runoff on April 14.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge every citizen to know the issues affecting Apopka, understand each candidate\u2019s views on those issues, and, most importantly, exercise your right to vote in this important election,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the March 10 general election, Nesta netted 3,365 votes (41.60%) in the mayoral race. Moore was second with 2,574 votes (31.85%), and incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson came in third with 2,148 votes (26.55%).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Parks and rec\u00a0<\/p>\n
The candidates were asked how they would ensure city parks and recreation facilities keep pace with Apopka\u2019s growth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nesta said he would rely on a resident-led parks and recreation committee to help set priorities and guide budgeting, stressed the need to \u201cpivot quickly\u201d as recreation trends and community needs change, and called for a strategic plan for Camp Wewa \u2013 including decisions about the pool and major upgrades \u2013 so that existing assets and new amenities like pickleball courts actually materialize and grow along with the city.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore said keeping parks and recreation aligned with Apopka\u2019s growth starts with making sure new development pays adequate parks and recreation impact fees, as was done to\u00a0purchase\u00a0new park land at Sadler Road and U.S. 441.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pointed to her work at the county level securing tourist development tax dollars \u2013 most recently $13.1 million for amphitheater improvements and\u00a0additional\u00a0soccer fields \u2013 and said\u00a0those tourism\u00a0funds can be an ongoing source for Apopka projects.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moore also described bringing Visit Orlando staff to tour Camp Wewa to help rethink how to stop the city from losing more than $1 million a year there while still fully\u00a0utilizing\u00a0the park for residents, framing outside partnerships and better financing as key to expanding and upgrading facilities over time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Public safety\u00a0<\/p>\n
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