Reggie Connell
As seen in:
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Articles by Reggie Connell
For Yesenia Baron, Apopka’s future comes down to intention
In Summary: After narrowly losing a 2020 special election, Yesenia Baron is running again, this time for Seat 4 on the Apopka City Commission, citing concerns about planning, annexation, and downtown development. Baron says her experience in law enforcement and business has shaped a leadership style focused on collaboration, problem-solving, and long-term decision-making. ***** In 2020, first-time candidate Yesenia Baron ran in a crowded field for Seat #2 on the Apopka City Commission.
Developing Story: Nelson files lawsuit to remove Moore's name from Apopka mayoral ballot
With election day fast approaching, the race for Apopka mayor has taken a surprising twist from campaigning in Apopka to a courtroom in Orlando. Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson filed a legal challenge in the Orange County Circuit Court seeking to remove Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore from the ballot for Apopka’s 2026 mayoral election, raising questions about residency requirements and campaign qualification procedures.
Nesta enters mayor’s race calling for transparency, planning, and a reset at City Hall
In Summary: Apopka City Commissioner Nick Nesta says his decision to run was shaped by years of resident frustration and a recent budget cycle he described as chaotic and confusing. He says the mayor’s office is where day-to-day leadership, staff culture, and transparency can be meaningfully changed. His campaign emphasizes communication, infrastructure planning, fiscal accountability, and revisiting the proposed public safety building. ***** It seemed inevitable.
After a decade away, Sam Ruth returns to the Apopka ballot with an infrastructure-first message
In Summary: Former Apopka City Commissioner Sam Ruth is returning to local politics, challenging incumbent Alexander Smith for Seat #1 in the March 2026 election. After watching a decade of development marked by rising traffic and strained infrastructure, Ruth says the city has lost its way by prioritizing speed over planning. He argues his prior experience on the dais allows him to step in immediately and ask the tough questions he believes have gone unanswered.
As Apopka changes, its mayoral candidates must rise to the moment
In Summary: The Apopka Voice Managing Editor Reggie Connell praises the four mayoral candidates for stepping forward to lead Apopka, but expresses concern that none have articulated a meaningful long-term vision for the city. While promises to fix infrastructure, improve transparency, and manage development are expected, the piece argues that true leadership requires bold ideas about what Apopka could become in the next five, 10, or even 20 years.
Nesta’s entry turns Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race into a four-way battle with no clear frontrunner
In Summary: Nick Nesta’s sudden entrance into the 2026 Apopka mayoral race has fundamentally reshaped the political landscape, turning a previously defined three-way matchup into a competitive four-person contest. As Nesta joins incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson, Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, and attorney Matthew Aungst, the race now features four candidates with markedly different profiles, advantages, and challenges.
Annexing South Apopka requires better leadership - and the right timing
In Summary: The Apopka City Council once again postponed action on annexing South Apopka, voting to reject a proposal from Blue Star Home National — the only firm that responded to the City’s request for a feasibility study.
A decade of Progress: McKinley retires from the Apopka Police Department
Sworn officers: 98 in 2015, 147 in 2025 +50% Starting salary $45,480 in 1025, $68,517 in 2025 +51% City population 46,571 in 2015, 66,580 in 2025 +43% Part One crimes (yearly) 2,242 in 2015, 1,669 in 2024 -25% Community programs Up +350% since 2015 Key initiatives: Achieved full accreditation and maintained best practices Developed data-driven policing with crime analyst support Expanded community engagement programs across all neighborhoods Strengthened department culture emphasizing...
Moore wants to turn experience into action as Apopka's next mayor
Christine Moore has never been one to sit quietly on the sidelines. Whether it was advocating for schools, fighting for infrastructure dollars, or leading at the county level, she has built a career out of turning persistence into policy.
Moore maintains fundraising lead over Nelson
Elections are won at the ballot box, but in many cases, the narrative is written long before voters cast their ballots. In Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race, early fundraising numbers are already setting the tone. Campaign finance reports covering July 1st through September 30th show a close contest between Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson, while first-time candidate Matt Aungst has surged to the top of the money race with a major personal loan.
Apopka Residents: It's time to run for office
How many of you remember the days when Apopka residents ran for office? I started as The Apopka Voice's managing editor in 2015, but it was the year before that the city's golden age of throwing their hat in the ring kicked in. In 2014, nine people ran for three seats, including four for mayor. Diane Velázquez won as a first-time candidate in that cycle. In 2016, six candidates ran for three seats, with Doug Bankson and Kyle Becker winning as first-time candidates.
Bracy-Davis and Bankson review 2025 session, outline 2026 priorities with City Council
Apopka City Hall got a front-row seat at its October 1st meeting to the workings of Tallahassee as State Senator LaVon Bracy-Davis and State House Representative Doug Bankson walked council members through the highs, lows, and next steps from the 2025 legislative session. From property taxes to Lake Apopka’s water quality, the conversation made one thing clear: state decisions hit home Bracy-Davis won Florida’s 15th Senate District special election on September 2nd.
Vote on Williams as permanent city administrator pulled from the agenda
It seemed inevitable. The Apopka City Council was set to vote on ratifying Interim City Administrator Radley Williams as permanent administrator during its September 17th meeting. Related: Meet Radley Williams - The steady hand managing Apopka’s city government. Mayor Bryan Nelson, who recommended Williams for the position, gave a glowing review of him in a statement to The Apopka Voice just two days before the meeting.
Apopka City Commissioner's residency challenged in lawsuit filed by resident
A lawsuit filed in Orange County Circuit Court questions whether Apopka City Commissioner Nadia Anderson was legally qualified to run for office in last year’s municipal election. The complaint, filed by Apopka resident William J. McLeod, asks the court for a declaratory judgment on whether Anderson met the City of Apopka’s residency requirements when she qualified to run for the March 19th, 2024, election.
Analysis: Apopka’s 2026 mayoral race becomes a three-way battle
Ripples of speculation turned to waves of certainty last week in Apopka politics. With the stroke of a pen and a huge infusion of cash into his campaign war chest, attorney Matt Aungst didn’t just enter the 2026 mayor’s race—he detonated it. What was once a two-person showdown between two political veterans has now become a high-stakes, three-way contest that could reshape the city's future.
Developers before residents? That’s not how Apopka’s chain of command should work
It's been a rough few days for Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson on local social media. That's the kind of thing that happens when you make statements like this one during the City Council meeting, when asked by Commissioner Diane Velazquez why public comments come before the invocation, pledge of allegiance, and fact of the day: "The reason I do it is because the developers don't have to come for the public comment...
Velazquez urges Nelson to move the invocation and pledge ahead of public comments
Why do public comments come before the invocation, pledge of allegiance, and fact of the day at Apopka City Council meetings? It's a question asked by commissioners, residents, and on social media. At the July 16th meeting, Commissioner Diane Velazquez gave voice to that frustration, directly asking Mayor Bryan Nelson to reconsider the current agenda order that places public comments ahead of what is typically the ceremonial and spiritual beginning.
Nelson: City not positioned to buy or bail out Errol or RSR golf course lands
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson, at the July 16th City Council meeting, stepped back from any perception that the City of Apopka is preparing to purchase or financially rescue the golf course lands at Rock Springs Ridge or Errol Estate. Related: Déjà vu all over again: Is the City assisting Rock Springs Ridge in buying its golf course lands? The discussion began when Commissioner Diane Velazquez raised concerns about conflicting messages.
Christine Moore takes fundraising lead after first reporting period in Apopka Mayor's race
As many have said, an election is like a marathon. And in the 2026 Apopka mayoral election, that marathon is 237 days away from the finish line. It's important to pace yourself. A lot will happen between now and March 10th, 2026. On the other hand, it never hurts to get off to a fast start. Related: William Dabbs, a 2026 Apopka mayoral candidate, withdraws from election. Related: Velazquez confirms she will defend Seat #2. Related: Nelson files to run for third term as Apopka Mayor.
Make Apopka Great Again?
Last week, first-time candidate William Dabbs announced he was withdrawing from the 2026 Apopka Mayoral election. That brought the field down to two: incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson and Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore. But is the field about to expand back to three? A wave of mailers stamped with “Make Apopka Great Again” recently landed in about 15,000 Apopka mailboxes, urging voters to consider alternatives to the current candidates in the 2026 mayoral race.
Randolph Bracy: "We desperately need good leadership"
Randolph Bracy knows what it's like to get things done in a challenging political climate. As he mounts a campaign in the Florida Senate District 15 special election, the former state senator isn't running on promises — he's running on proof. "I've been the most successful Democrat getting legislation passed and money back home to our district," Bracy said.
Moore and Nelson debate affordable housing development in Apopka on social media
“I hope the transportation impact fees will help with the Plymouth-Sorrento/441 intersection improvements,” Nelson wrote on the day Moore posted. “Affordable housing abates impact fees,” Moore responded. “That was mentioned by Mayor (Jerry) Demings.” Then on Tuesday, four days after his first comment, Nelson posted another question in the thread to Moore.
Breaking News: Velazquez confirms she will defend Seat #2
Apopka Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez is ready to make history - again. Velazquez confirmed she will run for a full third term on the City Commission—Seat #2. On Wednesday, The Apopka Voice texted all four city commissioners and an Apopka resident, Marsha Summersill, inquiring if they would run for mayor, city commission, or the Orange County Commission (Seat 2) in 2026. This will be her seventh appearance on an Apopka ballot in the last 12 years, including general elections and runoffs.
Could Coretta Anthony-Smith be a new voice in the Florida Legislature?
Welcome to the Florida Senate District 15 special election. In most campaigns, candidates dig in deep, anticipating a marathon of political twists and turns over the course of months until, ultimately, many moons down the trail, election day takes center stage. That's not the case in SD-15.
Developing Story: Nelson files to run for third-term as Apopka Mayor
The race is on! Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson announced his intention to run for a third term in office during an interview published in The Apopka Chief on Monday. Nelson filed with the City Clerk's office on May 1st. His announcement sets up a long-anticipated election matchup - Nelson vs. Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore. Moore filed to run for mayor on April 7th. Related: Who will run for Mayor of Apopka in 2026? If either candidate wins the office, it would be historically notable.
Next Step Foundation faces a pivotal year in Apopka’s ongoing homelessness crisis
Apopka's only organization trying to combat homelessness locally made an all-or-nothing plea. The Next Step Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting Apopka’s unhoused population, has announced a plan for the coming year: secure a location for a drop-in center and temporary lodging facility, or disband the organization entirely.
City hit with three violations by FDEP for Golden Gem - The Apopka Voice
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued a Consent Order to the City of Apopka for violations at its Golden Gem water storage facility. First posted on the Apopka Critic Facebook page on Friday, the Order is dated April 2nd, 2025, and addressed to Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson. It outlines three violations, a fine, dozens of conditions to mitigate the issues at Golden Gem, and a timeline of actions the City must comply with that stretches almost two years into the future.
Developing Story: Nelson issues statement on Smith's termination - The Apopka Voice
The Apopka City Council reviewed former city administrator Jacob Smith's contract at its April 2nd meeting, but a vote was never taken, and the reason for the agenda item was never made clear. "I guess the question is, why is this in front of us at this point?" Commissioner Nick Nesta asked. "Well, I'm gonna go ahead and just read you a statement," Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson responded, unmasking what appeared to be the true reason for the agenda item.
Developing Story: Commissioners respond to Nelson firing city administrator - The Apopka Voice
Updating a Developing Story: More details are known about Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson's sudden termination of former city adminiatrator Jacob Smith.
Developing Story: Nelson's termination of city administrator shocks Apopka - The Apopka Voice
It's not easy to shock Apopka. We've seen a fire chief "retire" and later learn he was forced out. We've seen a mayor censured by his commissioners, then try to get it reversed, fail, and then accuse a former commissioner of telling a City employee that he would drop the censure if the mayor promised not to run for re-election. That allegation, to date, has never been proven. We have seen public comments moved to the back of the City Council meetings and the video turned off.
Charter Review Workshop may be the last opportunity to be heard on proposed amendments - The Apopka Voice
The Apopka City Council will hold a workshop at 6 p.m. on the charter amendments it has discussed off and on for over a year before its scheduled meeting.
Developing Story: City Council voting on APD's next deputy chief - The Apopka Voice
The Apopka City Council, at its March 19th meeting, will vote on a potential successor to Police Chief Michael McKinley. If approved, Lovetta Quinn-Henry, currently the Orlando Police Department's deputy chief, will take over as Apopka's Deputy Police Chief. She will replace former APD Deputy Police Chief Jerome Miller, who retired in December 2024. If approved, Lovetta Quinn-Henry, currently the Orlando Police Department's deputy chief, will take over as Apopka's Deputy Police Chief.
Parks and Recreation are not superfluous to the neighborhoods inside the Apopka CRA - The Apopka Voice
First, after decades of inactivity and nearly being defunded, I applaud the Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board for its commitment to action over the past couple of years. However, the plan presented at the February 12th meeting seems ill-advised. At that meeting, the Apopka CRA Board discussed turning a city-owned property on South 8th Street and Highland Avenue into either six new homes, five new homes, four bigger homes, or four homes and a pocket park.
Border Lake, Warming Centers, DEI, and a moratorium on development featured topics during public comments - The Apopka Voice
In a democratic society, the voices of the community are essential to effective governance. However, the current public comment format for the Apopka City Council meetings sidelines these voices by putting them at the end of the agenda, rendering them less influential in the decision-making process. But then, the Council takes the extra step of turning off the video feed it leaves on during the meeting so that there is no beneficial City record of their comments.
Annexing South Apopka will take more than calling for a hasty vote during an unrelated subject - The Apopka Voice
You will not find a stronger advocate than The Apopka Voice for annexing South Apopka into the City's borders. Since 2015, we have called for it and stated why in multiple articles and editorials. The history of South Apopka So, you would think our news site would be thrilled to see the Apopka City Council discuss a possible vote for annexation at its most recent meeting on December 4th. Unfortunately, for a multitude of reasons, we are not. First off, there is the timing.
Exploring America: Apopka's Simon and Susan Veness take to the road for a year-long adventure - The Apopka Voice
What would it take to put your day-to-day life on hold, buy a recreational vehicle (RV), and travel America for a year? Do you have the organizational skills to plan the trip? Do you have the financial resources to fund it? Do you have the work flexibility to stay employed and still travel? Or do you have to just commit to the bucket-list adventure and make it happen? In the summer of 2021, Simon and Susan Veness decided to downsize.
Developing Story: Boylan resigns as Apopka Economic Development Director - The Apopka Voice
Michelle Boylan, Apopka's first economic development director, will leave her post on November 15th. She began her role nine months ago, on February 5th, after a 5-0 vote from the Apopka City Council ratifying her appointment. In a letter dated November 4th and addressed to Mayor Bryan Nelson, Boylan explains her reason for resigning as EDD: "Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position of Economic Development Director for the City of Apopka.
Apopka City Council votes 3-2 against moving public comments back to their original position - The Apopka Voice
At the Apopka City Council's August 7th meeting, Mayor Bryan Nelson moved the public comments section from the front of the agenda to the very last item after the Mayor's Report. He also ordered that the live feed be turned off. And now, after three votes, that's where it will stay. At the November 6th meeting, Commissioner Nick Nesta made a motion to move public comments back to their previous agenda position after presentations and restore them to the live feed on the City's YouTube page.
The Race for 39: Bankson avoids upset, heads back to Florida Legislature after narrow victory over Summersill - The Apopka Voice
Rep. Doug Bankson continued his electoral winning streak Wednesday, but it wasn't easy. Bankson edged challenger Marsha Summersill in the Florida House District 39 election with 46,121 votes (52.56%), while Summersill received 41,623 (47.44%). Bankson was a member of the Apopka City Council from 2016 until he was elected to State House District 39 in the Florida Legislature in 2022. Counting primaries, runoffs, and general elections, this is his sixth straight successful campaign.
The Race for 39: Bankson and Summersill make their closing statements before Election Day - The Apopka Voice
By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor At first glance, it looks as though Election Day in Apopka will focus more on statewide and national races than an extensive slate of municipal and county contests. In previous cycles, the first Tuesday in November has been a hotbed of activity in Apopka and Orange County.
City Council: It's time to followup on initiatives and issues you already started - The Apopka Voice
It's been over a year since I called on the Apopka City Council to be proactive on five specific issues. Now, 13 months later, I can report that one item is complete, but two more take its place. It's the proverbial "one step forward and two steps backward" adage. Let's start with a bit of good news... Economic Development Director Although new businesses have yet to come to Apopka directly related to the new department, Michelle Boykin, the new director, is laying a foundation for that to happen.
Summersill perplexed by critical ad aired by Bankson, Florida House Republican Campaign Committee - The Apopka Voice
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was crucial to the U.S. government’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was created under the CARES Act in March 2020 and administered by the Small Business Administration. The program was designed to help small businesses, self-employed workers, and nonprofits retain employees during the pandemic by providing low-interest loans.
Bankson focused on the core issues in his re-election campaign - The Apopka Voice
Florida House District 39 is a political battleground with an equal number of registered Democrat and Republican voters within its borders. Apopka is the largest and fastest-growing city in District 39 and, in many ways, is the cornerstone to victory. And no one knows this city and its politics better than Doug Bankson. Bankson, the incumbent first-term representative of District 39, began his career as an elected official by winning the 2016 election for Seat #3 on the Apopka City Commission.
Apopka City Council passes millage rate and budget despite chaos and turmoil at final hearing - The Apopka Voice
A lot can happen in 16 minutes. In Super Bowl LI (2017), Tom Brady and the New England Patriots trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 with a little over 16 minutes left but rallied to win 34-28 in overtime. The Battle of Trenton, fought on December 26th, 1776, is often cited as lasting around 16 minutes. This surprise attack by George Washington's Continental Army against Hessian forces was a pivotal victory in the American Revolutionary War and helped boost the morale of the American troops.
A Legacy in Peril: Why Mayor Nelson should return public comments to its normal position in City Council meetings - The Apopka Voice
Hello, Apopka City Council and those of you who frequent the public comments podium. We are about to embark on an important week with a City Council meeting and a budget hearing on Wednesday. It's time for us to have a hard talk. As all of you know, those get-togethers you conduct in the City Hall Chambers every couple of weeks have turned into a circus. I'm not going to get into details, but I think you know it's embarrassing and uncomfortable to witness either online or in person.
Developing Story: City Council votes 3-2 to keep public comments off live feed - The Apopka Voice
It's not just Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson's decision anymore. At the September 4th City Council meeting, Commissioner Nick Nesta made a motion to restore public comments to the live feed during the regular meeting and broadcast them on the City's YouTube page as it has for years. Vice Mayor Diane Velazquez seconded the motion, but Commissioners Nadia Anderson and Alexander Smith joined Nelson in voting against it, defeating the motion 3-2.
Public comments still at the end of the Apopka City Council meeting - The Apopka Voice
If you want to address the Apopka City Council this Wednesday, get ready to wait - again. Despite complaints from city commissioners and firefighters and an extreme backlash from residents both at the meeting and on social media, public comments will appear at the end of the August 21st meeting. It's the second meeting in a row for its new position, right after the Mayor's Report.
Byrd: "State leaders should commit to place education funding at the top of the priority list" - The Apopka Voice
Melissa Byrd is more than just a member of the Orange County School Board—she’s a tireless advocate who has turned her passion for education into a mission to create lasting change.
Portrait of a Graduate: Byrd discusses the future plans of Orange County Public Schools - The Apopka Voice
Melissa Byrd is more than just a member of the Orange County School Board—she’s a tireless advocate who has turned her passion for education into a mission to create lasting change.
A chaotic end to Apopka City Council meeting leaves questions unanswered - The Apopka Voice
Chaos. That's not the noun you want to use to describe the end of a four-hour-plus Apopka City Council meeting, but unfortunately, it fits. The marathon session went from contentious, insulting, and dysfunctional to outright bedlam.
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