The Lakeland Economic Development Council has worked to improve the local economy, create jobs and cultivate new opportunities for the City of Lakeland and its citizens.  But as any organization looking to raise the bar and tackle big challenges, their bold ideas occasionally ruffle feathers or even cause outright panic.  The fate of the Cleveland Heights golf course was one such issue that caused quite a stir. As thousands of Lakelanders chatted online and among one another about what was, what is, and what should be; we decided to sit down with the man behind it all, LEDC President, Steve Scruggs. We discuss the Heights, the role of the LEDC in shaping Lakeland's future and strategies for improving communication between all interested parties. This conversation may or may not change your opinion of the Heights, the LEDC or Steve Scruggs himself but we believe it's imperative to hear all sides and we hope you do too. 

For more information on the LEDC, including contact information, you can get to their website by clicking here. 

In the wake of community outrage over an idea pitched by the Lakeland Economic Development Council that included the possibility of developing the land that is currently the Cleveland Heights municipal golf course, we decided to start the conversation with the man in charge of it all. Bob Donahay, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Lakeland shares his insight into the history of the course,  the challenges, the opportunities and how the future of the course can effect Lakeland for years to come.  Regardless of what comes of The Heights down the road, one thing is for sure.  Bob Donahay, a.k.a. Lakeland's very own "Ron Swanson," has spent a lifetime of making Lakeland's parks the best they can be. 

Criminal justice reform is a hot topic these days. The truth is that most of what we see on cable news isn't the whole story and often doesn't translate into what we see and hear in our own community.  So we wanted to talk about this controversial subject with the number one law man  in our county, Sheriff Grady Judd. Sheriff Judd shares with us the other side of the proposed changes to our criminal justice system, the side you won't hear about from traditional media sources. Sheriff Judd shares his thoughts on mandatory body cameras for law enforcement officers and he offers a perspective you likely haven't considered. We also talk about the personal side to Grady Judd, his journey growing up in Polk County, his hobbies, his thirteen grandchildren and what he like to do when he's got some time to himself. 

Whether its politics, taxes, schools, diversity or the litany of other conversational land mines most of us tiptoe around in our daily lives, simply ignoring these conversations is merely a temporary solution. We think we are doing the world a favor, avoiding conflict for the sake of keeping the peace. But in reality, the issues don’t resolve themselves and kicking the conversational can down the road only makes things worse. There is no secret formula for solving problems in our community. We have a lot of different people around us who hold different beliefs and many of those beliefs are difficult, if not impossible, to change. But maybe what we need isn’t a homogenous society, maybe it isn’t about getting everyone to agree, that’s the stuff of Utopian pipe dreams.  Maybe we can simply make things better if we found some better ways to communicate. In this episode we take a deep dive into some of those methods and frameworks for having those difficult conversations. On this show we want to address those issues, together, as a community.  And while we won’t always agree, we are all better off when everyone’s voice can be heard and communication takes place effectively, civilly and where we all can work toward the goal of elevating our community to new heights. 

He's our Zacchaeus and while he might not be the tallest tax collector out there, Joe Tedder has raised the bar for tax collectors around the country. In his nearly twenty-five year tenure as the tax collector for Polk County, Joe Tedder has made efficiency and customer service a priority.  As if that process wasn't difficult enough, changes in technology and in the way we conduct business provides Joe with an endless stream of new challenges he and his team must face. We look at one of those issues, short term rentals through platforms like AirBNB, and discuss how Joe worked with them to make things easier for taxpayers  while ensuring the tax laws are being followed. We talk about term limits and Joe offers some interesting insight about an issue that might not be as simple as you think. Taxes are a funny thing. Few people enjoy paying them but most of us want more of the services and benefits they provide. Joe Tedder and his team have made the process about as pleasant as possible for the citizens of Polk County and they continue to innovate to make the process of living and conducting business in Polk County even easier for years to come. 

Former Lakeland Mayor and Lakeland's longest serving public official and his lovely wife Linda Bagley Wiggs join us in studio to talk about some of their greatest legacies: the #LoveLakeland movement and the City Maker award. Throughout their service to the Lakeland community, the Wiggs' focus was on preserving the best attributes of Lakeland while simultaneously seeking out opportunities to grow and improve. Their passion was encapsulated in the #LoveLakeland movement which fostered civic pride and a connection between the people and the place where they live, work and play. That process included recognizing those in the community who gave selflessly for the benefit of the community. Together with Chrissanne Long, the Wiggs' created  and the City Maker award which continues to live on as part of Mayor Mutz's mayoral agenda.  Although the Wiggs' are now retired, their impact continues to shape Lakeland and the hope is that the path they forged will be an inspiration to other cities throughout Polk County. 

This is, by all measures, the best time to be alive in the history of mankind.  Yet many folks find themselves miserable with many things, including where they live. We are often creatures of habit and when things change around us we often feel apprehensive or even upset.  When the parking lot where you learned how to drive is razed to build a new office building, you might feel sad. If your community is changing, does that mean you must change too?  Happiness starts from within and we discuss why so many people let external factors dictate their happiness in life.  Happiness isn't something you will yourself to feel.  Instead, it's a skill you work at every day.  We talk strategy for that process, everything from gaining perspective, being heard and even playing marbles over a bowl of ice cream. 

Before revealing his identity, Joe Cruz managed to create a whirlwind of enjoyment throughout Polk County and all in just over one month’s time.  The Lakelandist, Cruz’s blog and the pseudonym for his comedic writing, poked fun at the quirks that we all know and love about the place we call home. Nothing was off limits but everything was in good fun. Joe shares with us what led him to start the infamous satire blog and the stories behind some of his favorite humorous headlines.  Although The Lakelandist hasn’t released any new material since Joe revealed his identity to thousands of curious fans, could The Lakelandist make a comeback at some point? Listen to find out and laugh along with us as we dive into the mind and the comedy of Lakeland’s beloved satirist.  Here are some of our favorite Lakelandist headlines:

• Ledger Parent Company Optimistic About Impending Merger with Tire Fire
• Buoyed By Ron DeSantis, Grady Judd, Florida Rises to Most Press Conferences Per Capita
• Tired of Explaining Difference, Junior League Changes Building Name from “Sorosis” to “Liver Disease”
• Winter Haven Holiday Boat Parade Interrupted By Renegade Festivus Kayak
• After Success of Black & Brew at Library, Commissioners Contemplate Turning City Hall into a Beef’s Express
• Mulberry Man Can’t Decide Between Gray and Black Cargo Shorts for Wedding Day
• Retired Couple Not Sure Lake Alfred Has Enough Antique Stores
• Desperately Seeking Sponsors, Lakeland Community Theatre To Mount Production of “A Taco Bus Named Desire”
• South Florida Avenue to be Expanded from Four Slow Lanes to Six Slow Lanes
• Auditor Reports Citrus Connection Woefully Unprepared for “Speed” Scenario as Buses Unable to Go Faster than 5 MPH
• Polk County Commissioners Baffled By Simultaneous Obesity, Meth Epidemics
• Snowbirds Complete Migration By Parking Diagonally Across Cypress Gardens Blvd
• Mulberry Resident Claiming Lakeland Citizenship Forced to Wear Scarlet M 

You can see all of the infamous Lakelandist headlines at  TheLakelandist.com .

Investing in your community, we talk a lot about it but what does it mean? It means different things to different people but for Jennifer Batts, her husband Joel and their co-founders, it means risking time, money and effort in order to bring a unique new concept from Boulder, Colorado to a growing area of Lakeland. The Yard on Mass  is the latest business to breathe new life into a long-ignored part of midtown Lakeland.  The concept it simple, a comfortable place to grab lunch, a family-friendly place to listen to music and spend time with friends and a versatile venue for parties and events.  There is nothing like it in our community and Jennifer Batts joins us on this episode to talk about her journey and what it was like starting a business here in Lakeland. The Yard on Mass is a great example of an investment in our community, an investment that is likely to bring great returns for the Batts’, their investors and our community as a whole. 

Coach Renee Lopez is a highly successful soccer coach and has coached college athletes for the past fourteen years at every level. Renee spent years dealing with the challenges of recruitment and coordinating athletic scholarships at colleges and universities around the nation. Renee, a resident of Polk County, took those years of unique experience and turned it into a consulting and speaking business that continues to grow. Renee new book, "Looking for a Full Ride" is a must-have guide for students, parents and anyone looking for guidance in the confusing world of college athletic scholarships.

You can pick up a copy through her website, lookingforafreeride.com . As a special offer for ElevatePolk listeners, Renee is offering free shipping on her new book for the first 15 listeners using coupon code POLK.  Renee is also offering a FREE COPY of her latest Strategy Guide for contacting college coaches.

With the cost of college tuition continuing to rise, the possibility of athletic scholarships has never been more attractive or more important. We are proud to have such wonderful, talented people like Renee Lopez living and working right here in Polk County. Be sure to check out her free strategy guide and check out her new book, it just might save you tens of thousands worth of student debt!