The City of Winter Park will hold its 2022 General Election on Tuesday, March 8. As a means of informing residents, the32789 submitted questionnaires to each of the four City Commission candidates. A series of Q&A-style features was created, one for each candidate, based on their responses. Answers were posted as received, to preserve the integrity of each candidate’s response.
Kris Cruzada is running for Winter Park City Commission Seat 3. He grew up in Winter Park, received an accounting degree from the University of Central Florida, and a law degree from Saint Louis University. He currently his own law practice, He currently serves on the board of directors for the Florida Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials, is a member of the Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board for the Orange County government and serves on the housing subcommittee for the Catholic Charities of Central Florida.
Here, he discusses his candidacy, qualifications, and what he hopes to achieve for the City of Winter Park.
Why do you want to serve on the Winter Park City Commission? I believe I have the background and experience to serve all the residents of Winter Park and it’s time for me to use my skills to support the City I love. I grew up off Sherbrooke Road in a house adjacent to Winter Park High School. There are so many great memories with my neighborhood friends and family that have helped to shape who I am. My experiences in this community and the surrounding area have been a blessing to me and I want to give back. If elected, I want to preserve and foster the community that raised me.
What best qualifies you to serve? I have been an Accountant, and now practice as an Attorney. I earned my Accounting Degree from UCF and my law degree from St. Louis University. Within each profession, I have honed valuable analytical skills. As an Accountant, I have learned about budgets, taxes, financial statements, and financial analysis. As a Lawyer, I have learned about the law, its legislative intent and its enforcement. Additionally, I have a background in public service with a few local boards related to Housing and Land Use. These vital skills and supportive background experience mean I can be an effective commission member, ready to address a variety of important issues.
If elected, what would be your top priority as a City Commissioner? To earn and increase the public trust by being accessible and accountable to the residents and businesses of Winter Park. The City does a great job with disseminating notices, events, and other information to the public. I want to enhance touchpoints with residents and businesses with surveys to better manage expectations and outcomes.
What do you think is the most important issue regarding the Orlando Avenue Overlay proposal as it has been approved? The most important issue is compatibility. The OAO is an opportunity for Winter Park to enhance the area with new concepts in city planning and place making, while honoring the formula that makes Winter Park unique and timeless.
How do you feel about the super majority options on the ballot? I support the Super Majority Charter Amendments on the ballot. From a legislative perspective, it helps to establish predictability and a standard for assembling a consensus within our community when it comes to these 6 issues. These 6 issues are also inextricably woven into our community that directly effects our quality of life. We need to carefully consider these issues, with full support of our commission, that will have long-lasting ramifications to our City.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about Winter Park, what would it be? Well, if I had a magic wand, I would get rid of traffic, congestion, and parking issues in Winter Park.
See the profile for Cruzada’s opponent, Anjali Vaya, here.
See the profile for Commissioner Todd Weaver, who is running for re-election to City Commission Seat 4, here. The profile for Weaver’s opponent, Elijah Noel, can be seen here.
