Cities throughout Florida operate on different models of governance. Some city charters mandate a strong Mayor vested with decision-making authority while others, like New Smyrna Beach, operate under a model of an empowered City Manager supported by City Commission members. In accordance with our City Charter, the Mayor of New Smyrna Beach acts as the tie-breaking 5th member of our City Commission—though in practice, this role is rarely needed since the Commission typically reaches consensus.

The Mayor's position in New Smyrna Beach serves the residents through the ability to influence, build coalitions, and establish beneficial relationships with neighboring communities and leaders at the local and state levels. Progress happens through process—building consensus and partnerships to move the city forward together.

Success requires experience navigating complex organizations and relationships, building trust across different perspectives, and sometimes having to make difficult decisions for the long term. It's exactly what Mayor Fred spent his career doing in the Navy and his corporate career, and it's this level of experience Mayor Fred now brings to City Hall. Leadership means doing the right thing, and sometimes that may not be the popular thing in a given moment, but true leadership is vision based on experience.

It would be easy to simply vote the popular way on every issue. But that's not leadership. The real job is a combination of listening carefully to what residents want and doing what's best for the city's long-term future.