POLK COUNTY, Fla. — As the 2024 Election nears, ABC Action News is highlighting the Voice of the Voter in communities across Tampa Bay.
On Sept. 9, we focused on Polk County, where reporter Chad Mills interviewed Polk County residents about the area's rapid growth and how the community can balance it and improve infrastructure.
He caught up with Auburndale Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert.
Linda and Mitch Davis, two voters from Winter Haven, voiced their concerns about the cost of living.
He chatted with a voter and local commissioner about what issues matter to small business leaders.
He talked to the mayor of Winter Haven, Nat Birdsong, about the issues that matter to the people and how city leaders hope to help.
He asked voters at Egg Haven in Winter Haven how much growth and development is too much.
On the ballot, Lori Edwards and Melody Bell are vying to become the next Supervisor of Elections.
We spoke to Jo Shim, the local League of Women Voters vice president in Polk County, who said this election is "very consequential."
Reporter Rebecca Petit spoke to local business owners about their concerns, including inflation. Closely behind inflation, small business owners want candidates to address tax policy.
Brides, families fighting for refunds after event venue closes suddenly
“We’ve struggled so hard to scrape the money to be able to do this for her,” Irizarry said. “She’s my only girl and I wanted this so much for her.”
Couples and families who had weddings and events planned at a well-known venue that abruptly closed claim they’re out thousands of dollars and aren’t being given refunds. Annette Irizarry was supposed to hold her 15-year-old daughter’s quinceañera in August at the Clearwater location and said she’s now out the $6,160 she paid. Without that money, Irizarry said she can’t afford to have her daughter’s celebration somewhere else.
