\u201cI think it was the first time in 60 years there had been a Democrat running the city of Apopka,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t know Joe Kilsheimer \u2014 he called me up out of the blue, and he asked me to come in and sort of try to calm the waters, because the transition was a little rough. I\u2019m glad to say that I was able to do that for the most part, and then the city tried to see about going in-house, and that may happen again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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See Member Benefits<\/a>Join Our Newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Afterward, former mayor Bryan Nelson found himself on \u201ca similarly rough road,\u201d according to Shepard.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe was Republican, and he called me in for the same reason \u2014 to try to calm the waters. In both of those cases, I like to think that I did that \u2014 at least I tried, because I\u2019m NPA, I\u2019m no party affiliation. I just care about getting it right, and so I tried to do that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Each of the commissioners wished Shepard a happy retirement on Wednesday night. Commissioner Yesenia Baron noted his \u201cfirst Monday is going to look a whole lot different\u201d and encouraged him to \u201cenjoy it,\u201d and Mayor Nick Nesta shared his appreciation for Shepard\u2019s \u201calways very direct and non-emotional responses.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c[You are] the one person sitting on the dais that I can actually say, \u2018I made the motion to hire you,\u2019 and it\u2019s been a good ride,\u201d said Commissioner Sam Ruth. \u201cYou were always a friend to me, and I always valued your opinion. Even when I thought I knew better, you were always that little voice that says, \u2018Step back and take a deep breath, and see it from somebody else\u2019s shoes.\u2019 So I appreciate that \u2014 thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez said she had worked with Shepard throughout both of his tenures as city attorney.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a journey. I\u2019ve learned so much with you, and I appreciate [that] every time I tapped upon you, that you took the time to explain it to me, gave me examples, let me vent, and always gave me the right advice to follow. And I\u2019ve seen you become a grandfather,\u201d she said. \u201cYou\u2019re a gentleman, and you have always shown me respect and have always recognized me for the titles that I hold. And many times you\u2019ve apologized when it wasn\u2019t something that you should have done, but you did, and I appreciate that. And I want to wish you the best in your retirement. It\u2019s been an honor and privilege to work with you these last 10 years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Commissioner Nadia Anderson said she would miss Shepard\u2019s \u201cguidance\u201d and \u201cwisdom.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I call, you spend a lot of time asking questions and very honest, very direct, always, always erred on the side of what was right and not your opinion,\u201d she said. \u201cI appreciate your guidance. Sometimes I didn\u2019t want to hear it, but I thank you for always, always doing what\u2019s right in not really following your opinion, not following anyone\u2019s opinion.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College’s journalism program in Washington, D.C., where she served as the layout editor for her school newspaper. In her spare time, Sarah loves serving her local church, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789806379_355_2-1.png\")
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