Mayo Woodward said children’s programs should not be overlooked.
“These programs keep kids off the streets and out of jail,” said the 33-year-old financial advisor at Morgan Stanley.
Mayo’s concerns have turned into a full-fledged campaign for a seat on the city commission.
Twenty-five candidates are running to fill the five city commission seats. The winner of seat 4 will become Tallahassee’s next mayor. The commission holds subsequent elections every two years to ensure an incumbent stays on the commission.
Seat 3 incumbent Debbie Lightsey’s term was extended through an election change. Commissioner John Paul Bailey of seat 2 is giving up his seat for the chance to be mayor. Commissioner Allan Katz of seat 5 was filling in until the end of Charles Billings’ term. Billings died last May while in office .
Travis Potter, a candidate for seat 5 and a former FAMU broadcast journalism student, said he’s looking into ways to save the city money if elected.
“I’d be about the business of moving the city elections from the spring back to the fall,” said Potter, 37, who works for the department of highway safety and motor vehicles.
Potter isn’t the only candidate with FAMU ties. Andrew Gillum, a candidate for seat 2, is a recent FAMU graduate and former SGA president. Justin Proctor is currently a student and Anthony Viegbesie is an adjunct professor.
Woodward said he believes he could add something to the commission that others are lacking.
“I believe in public service. It would be nice to have someone on there who doesn’t do this full time,” he said. “You lose track of what’s going on outside if you’re just involved in one thing.”
Potter remained in Tallahassee after graduating from FAMU because he had fallen for the city.
“I thought this was the kind of place I could raise a family,” he said.
Potter’s goal involves a plan to find ways to get money for raises for firefighters and bringing more arts and cultural activities to the city. He pointed to FAMU’s history as part of his appeal.
Other FAMU graduates in elected posts include State Rep. Tony Hill , former state senator Kendrick Meek and former FAMU president Frederick Humphries.
“FAMU creates leaders and history has shown that.”