The Daily Record surveyed the 2011-15 City Council members about the current Council year. Their responses to five questions will be published over the coming weeks. E. Denise Lee, a Democrat, is a full-time Council member.
How have you prepared both personally and professionally for your role on City Council?
My preparations are derived from my past roles as an elected official, having served on the Council from 1982-99 and in the Florida House of Representatives from 1999-2003, returning to Council in 2007. These experiences along with roles in political campaigns and other assignments, such as the board of the Florida League of Cities, have prepared me.
Are you satisfied with your Council assignments and why do you believe you were chosen for them?
This Council president assigned me to one committee, Land Use & Zoning, which I was unable to accept due to a conflict with the scheduled time. It may not be politically prudent to state my dissatisfaction of not being assigned to any other standing committees, but I think it’s important to be truthful and honest. Certainly I feel I warranted more than one standing committee assignment just based on my past leadership of the committees I chaired (including Finance and Rules) and served on. It’s politics and you leave it up to the people you represent or the total community to decide what’s fair and what’s intentional. I will still be just as diligent in serving my constituents and the city as a whole.
Which committees or assignments would you like next?
That would be up to the next person that would make those assignments, if it’s experience they are looking for or if the assignment is being driven by politics only.
Is serving on the Council a part-time or full-time job?
Serving on the Council is technically a part-time position but I always provided full-time hours.
What’s the first piece of legislation you have introduced or will introduce in this Council year?
I will be working on legislation that I’ve already introduced. I do have some issues in the pot that I will be introducing, but I’m not ready to disclose them.