Julie Carson sworn in Nov. 9; will serve out Flippen’s remaining term
By BOB KECSKEMETY
On Nov.
2, voters in Wilton Manors chose Julie Carson in a special election to replace Vice Mayor Justin Flippen on the Wilton Manors City Commission. Carson beat out Celeste Shank Ellich with 52 percent of the vote. Flippen resigned his commission seat in order to run in the Democratic primary for Florida State Representative-District 92. With her victory, Carson becomes the first openly lesbian to win election to the City Commission.
“I am so excited and very happy to be on the City Commission and so glad I have the opportunity to serve the residents of Wilton Manors,” said Carson, who chose to run a special election to serve out the remaining two years of former Vice Mayor Justin Flippen’s term. “I believe that my biggest contribution could be made in two years. And should I decide, and should the voters decide they want me back, then I’ll consider another run, but this is going to be two years.” Carson sat on the commission briefly when, in November 2008, then City Commissioner Gary Resnick ran for and won the mayoral race, leaving his commission seat empty. The commission then unanimously a p p o i n t e d Carson to fill the seat until a special election was held in February 2009. She lost that election to Scott Newton.
Carson received a full honor scholarship and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1983 from Middle Tennessee State University with a major in Foreign Language and a minor in Political Science and Women’s Studies. She became interested in public service when she was elected to serve as governor of Tennessee Volunteer Girls State, an annual leadership and citizenship-training program which selects 500 young women of academic excellence and provides them with an opportunity to form and run a mock government.
Carson worked portions of her summer breaks serving as a legislative aide for Girls Nation Program in Washington, D.C. and on the U.S. Congressional staff for Tennessee Congressman William Hill Boner.
Carson is also an accomplished triathlete, participating in as many as 15 events a year. She moved to South Florida from Nashville, Tenn. in 2001. In Nashville she was active in her synagogue and in politics. Six years ago she moved to Wilton Manors from Fort Lauderdale and has been active at her synagogue, Congregation Etz Chaim.
She says one of her first tasks will be to create harmony between the residents and the City Commission.
“I want to make sure all the gaps are bridges between all the communities in the city and that everyone has access to the commission in order to voice their opinions and ideas.”
She also wants to take a close look at the city’s budget, implementing some zero-based budgeting in various departments in order to determine what services are necessary and how to provide them at the lowest possible cost.
In order to better communicate with the residents of Wilton Manors, she is planning to have open office hours and is hoping to have meetings throughout the city so that she can meet with residents from different parts of town who do not otherwise have access to the City Commission. Carson also plans to focus on the city’s elementary school and its seniors community. She regularly consults State Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, who serves on the state’s Elder Committee.
She also believes that business development in the city is important and would like to see the business permitting process be made easier. The city has already budgeted to hire a new director of Community Services.