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Meet the Candidates

Avon Park City Elections

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Aiyana Baida

Published: November 2, 2009

They've handed out flyers, gone door-to-door and answered questions at a public forum. Now it's time for Avon Park's registered voters to choose three of four candidates for city council Tuesday.
How well do you know your candidates and the issues they want to address if elected?

Terry Heston

Terry Heston, a well-known local contractor, has been adding to the city's tax base for the last 25 years, one house at a time. Heston, 52, co-owner of Sedlock and Heston Construction, builds homes throughout the county.
He's a Highlands County native who was born in Avon Park and graduated from Sebring High School's class of '75. Heston's first home came to him in an offer by former army general Charles Dissinger who said to him, "I sell you my house under one condition, fix up the neighborhood."
That was 1984 and Heston says he's kept his promise.
"If you drive along Lake Tulane, we've built 44 homes around the lake, and there all paying taxes," Heston said.
Heston's motivation for running also came from his father, who was a Sebring councilman for 18 years.
To improve Avon Park, he suggests ridding the city of condemned houses. And his 30-year experience running his own business gives him a unique perspective on how to get things done, Heston said.
"I think Avon Park is a great place to live and we just need to get on top of these abandoned houses and bring new businesses to downtown," he said.

Tonya Marshall
If there's one thing Tonya Marshall does when she doesn't agree with a city council decision, it's to speak out—tenaciously.
"I'm not afraid to speak my mind…those folks at City Hall can hear my footsteps coming up those stairs," Marshall said.
Marshall, 43, was born in New York and moved to Avon Park in 1983. She graduated from Avon Park High School in 1984. After a brief career in the Army, she moved back to Avon Park in 2001 and worked as a medical secretary.
Marshall, a single mother, lost her job earlier this year. Instead of letting it get to her, she used her free time to get more involved in community organizations like the NAACP, Rosa Parks Political Coalition and the Highlands County Homeless Coalition.
She said the catalyst to her running this election was the 30 percent increase in the water bill.
"I can relate to the people who are struggling…we are not all blessed financially," Marshall said.
Marshall said she saw a need for someone to represent the residents who are having a harder time during this recession.
Some of the issues she want to address are to increase citizen participation at the city council meetings, add more activities for young kids and figure out a plan to help those who can't pay their water bills in the allotted time.
"I have no agendas but to help the city," Marshall said.

Brenda Gray
She's got three terms as council woman under her belt, six years working as a probation officer and 22 years of military experience - how's that for starters.
Gray was born and raised in Avon Park. In 1978 she joined the Army and lived in Europe, Korea and Hungary. She came back to the States in 1996 to care for her mother who suffered a stroke. In 1999 she retired from the Army after 22 years and moved back to Avon Park.
About nine years ago Gray decided to run for city council because of a controversy over charging non-profits, with rental properties, the fire assessment fee. Gray said as councilwoman, voting yes was the toughest decision she made.
Gray is not new to Avon Park city politics. She is running for her fourth term and says she still has work to do.
The revitalization of the  southside is a priority for Gray, who wants to see the completion of Aline McWhite Park. The next thing on her to do list is to figure out a plan to make the Avon Park Executive Airport beneficial to all residents, not just those who have planes.
"Like most people I drive a car not a plane…and we have to do something about the airport so it's for everybody," Gray said.
There's talk of a plan that will create jobs from the airport industry.
During her terms as councilwoman Gray has seen many changes, including new department heads, a new police chief and city manager.
Gray said she will do what it takes to make Avon Park a better place for residents.
"I will do only the things necessary…but nothing underhandedly," Gray said.

Paul Miller
If there's an organization that needs volunteers, Paul Miller would probably be the first in line.
Miller volunteers for organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Florida Flywheelers, through the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce. He was a former den leader for the Boy Scouts of America and helps build children homes in Honduras with his son who's a missionary.
Miller, 64, moved from Jamestown, N. Y., to Avon Park 31 years ago. He retired from Avon Park Air Force Range after working 18 years as a civilian employee in engineering.
Miller ran for city council in 2007 but was out voted. He's running again with the same objective of improving the city.
"I want to see our town cleaned up and improved so it's running good. I want the city to prosper. And make it a better place for families to live," Miller said.
To do this, Miller suggests broadening Avon Park's tax base and attracting more businesses to downtown. This would require cleaning up the city's condemned properties and building homes that people want to live in.
"I want to make Avon Park a place for families," he said.
Another way Miller suggests the city can attract families is to restructure community activities that are primarily vendor based.
"Let's make the events about bringing families together instead of them being just money makers," he said.

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