{"id":234336,"date":"2026-04-16T15:07:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/234336\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:07:08","slug":"nelson-smith-reflect-on-service-in-emotional-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/234336\/","title":{"rendered":"Nelson, Smith reflect on service in emotional\u00a0farewell\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson and Commissioner Alexander H. Smith closed out their terms Wednesday with emotional farewell remarks, as\u00a0they reflected\u00a0on their years of service during\u00a0the\u00a0City\u00a0Commission meeting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The meeting, which followed\u00a0Tuesday\u2019s\u00a0mayoral runoff election, marked the final appearance on the dais for both officials after eight years in office.\u00a0Nelson and Smith were close allies across those years, often voting together\u00a0on key issues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s\u00a0remarks focused less on policy and more on relationships\u00a0he\u00a0built during his time in office.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the last eight years you have not just been my\u00a0constituents,\u201d said\u00a0Smith, who won his first term as commissioner in 2018 and won reelection\u00a0in 2022. \u201cYou\u00a0have been my neighbors, my critics, my teachers and my friends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He described his experience as rooted in everyday interactions with residents rather than formal titles.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI quickly learned that leadership isn\u2019t\u00a0about the nameplate on the desk or the gavel in your hand,\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0about the quiet conversations\u00a0you have with residents\u00a0at grocery stores, at restaurants.\u00a0\u2026\u00a0and the shared pride we\u00a0feel\u00a0when\u00a0we see one another\u00a0throughout the city.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Smith acknowledged disagreements during his tenure but framed them as part of a shared commitment to the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe disagreed, surely, but we did\u00a0so because we care so deeply about this city that we all call home,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He thanked city staff across departments, including public works, finance,\u00a0police\u00a0and fire, for their roles in serving residents, and expressed appreciation to his family for their support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As he concluded, Smith, a local pastor,\u00a0described his departure as a transition rather than an ending.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMy life is not the end of the book, but the end of the chapter,\u201d he said, adding that he would return to private life as \u201ca resident who\u2019s lucky enough to live in the best city in the state of Florida.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Upon finishing his remarks, the audience and his colleagues gave him a standing ovation as Smith remained seated.\u00a0He also acknowledged his church family for their\u00a0support and\u00a0referenced former commissioners Billie Dean and Alonzo Williams as influences, saying he was \u201cstanding on the shoulders\u201d of those who came before him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nelson highlights accomplishments, reflects on tenure\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nelson followed with a wide-ranging address that emphasized financial recovery, infrastructure\u00a0investment\u00a0and departmental growth during his two terms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to first thank our incredible staff for helping me implement\u00a0our vision for Apopka,\u201d Nelson said,\u00a0adding that when he took office \u201ceight years ago,\u00a0we [were] heading for financial disaster, and our first goal was to get us out of [the] financial hole\u00a0that had been created.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said the city \u201creduced general fund debt by 96% and increased our reserves by over $25 million,\u201d and added that his administration put a 25% reserve policy in place and increased funding for the city\u2019s three pension funds. Nelson also pointed to operational changes, including expanded public access to meetings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen COVID reared its\u00a0ugly\u00a0head, we began streaming all City Commission meetings on YouTube to ensure everyone could be safe but still be a part of the commission meetings,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

His remarks included a department-by-department overview, citing certifications for the police and communications departments, the opening of Fire Station\u00a06\u00a0and the addition of over 50 first responders. He also highlighted infrastructure and capital improvements, including road resurfacing, sidewalk and trail expansion, and upgrades to water systems.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe resurfaced over 6.4 miles of roads this year alone, two miles of sidewalks and trails\u00a0and replaced over 1,000 LED\u00a0street lights,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

On economic development, Nelson cited new and incoming businesses, as well as grant funding secured during his administration, noting that \u201cour team applied for and received over $30 million in grants this year alone.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Because the remarks were delivered as a farewell address, Nelson\u2019s comments focused primarily on accomplishments and did not include detailed discussion of challenges or criticisms raised during his tenure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

As he spoke, Nelson began to show emotion and paused at moments during his remarks as he thanked colleagues,\u00a0staff\u00a0and family members.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

He reflected on his path into public service and credited mentors and longtime supporters, including those who helped guide his early years in office,\u00a0including\u00a0former\u00a0Mayor John Land\u00a0and\u00a0his current colleagues.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been\u00a0a\u00a0very\u00a0great honor and pleasure to serve alongside my good friend, Commissioner Alexander Smith,\u00a0along with\u00a0the\u00a0other members\u00a0here on the City Council,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cCommissioner\u00a0Smith\u00a0served our\u00a0city well as\u00a0a\u00a0thoughtful servant leader\u00a0and\u00a0should be celebrated for his commitment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before their remarks, commissioners and others offered words of appreciation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Commissioner Nadia Anderson thanked both men for their leadership and impact on the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCommissioner Smith \u2013 Pastor Smith, I just have one question:\u00a0Who will carry the mantle of opening our meetings in prayer?\u201d Anderson said. \u201cYour presence\u00a0in that role has been meaningful and impactful, and it will clearly be missed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anderson then focused on Nelson.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMayor Nelson, your steady leadership, wisdom and commitment to this city have helped guide us through important moments, and your presence at the dais will be missed as well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mayor-elect Nick Nesta also acknowledged\u00a0Nelson and Smith\u2019s\u00a0service, keeping his remarks brief.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s\u00a0meeting marked a transition in city leadership following the\u00a0March 10 election and Tuesday\u2019s\u00a0mayoral runoff,\u00a0in which\u00a0Nesta\u00a0soundly\u00a0defeated Orange County District 2 Commissioner Christine Moore.<\/a>\u00a0Nelson came in third in the March 10 municipal election.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nesta\u00a0will take his oath as the mayor on\u00a0April 28, along with\u00a0Sam\u00a0Ruth,\u00a0who defeated Smith for Seat 1; incumbent Commissioner\/Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez, who defended Seat 2 against challengers George \u201cSmitty\u201d Smith and Angela Turner; and Yesenia Baron, who won Seat 4 in a special election against Malika Harrison.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n

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