By B.C. Manion
The three candidates for honorary mayor gave their inaugural stump speeches at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s July mixer held at the Hampton Inn and Suites.
Laura Miller, president of the chamber, said the event helps the chamber raise money for its various activities and also benefits the charities selected by the mayoral candidates. Candidates are able to give 50 percent of the proceeds to their charitable cause, depending on how much money they raise during the campaign — which runs through December.
Debbie Yoerg, the current honorary mayor of Wesley Chapel, said the post involves attending ribbon cuttings and various community events.
The kick-off event was co-hosted by The Laker and the Hampton Inn and Suites, Wesley Chapel. Co-sponsors were Toyota Honda and Texas Roadhouse, along with Dash of Salt ‘N Pepper Catering Co. and Betty Cakes Cake Shop.
Hospital executive ‘Putting on the Ritz’
John Negley donned a top hat, wore white gloves and carried a fancy cane as he assumed the leading character in his “Putting on the Ritz” campaign for honorary mayor of Wesley Chapel.
Negley, assistant vice president for Florida Hospital University Community Hospital, said he wants to use his candidacy to promote the community of Wesley Chapel and to raise money for his favorite charity, the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Foundation.
“It’s exciting to be able to announce that I’m running for honorary mayor,” Negley said. “My focus is to raise awareness of Wesley Chapel,” Negley said. “I live in Wesley Chapel and I want to promote it. It’s a great place to live, to work, to play and be educated.
“It’s the place to be in the county. There’s no doubt about that.”
Candidate wants to showcase Wesley Chapel’s heart
Mitze Richeson is hoping her bid for Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel will help raise awareness of the community on a deeper level.
Her campaign slogan is “Gaining Recognition of Wesley Chapel Through the Heart,” or GROWTH 2012.
In announcing her bid for the post, Richeson said, “I am passionate about bringing unity, service and promotion to the community of Wesley Chapel, leading to growth in 2012.”
She has chosen Oasis Pregnancy Center as her charity for the campaign.
Richeson said she’s excited about the journey she is undertaking, regardless of how it turns out.
“My vision for Wesley Chapel is to experience growth through the heart of unity, through the heart of integrity and through the heart of service,” said Richeson, who is co-owner of Cypress Creek Chiropractic and Wellness, along with her husband, Micah.
Candidate wants everyone to win
Jan Roberts offers a simple reason for why she threw her hat into the ring for Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel.
“I was drafted,” said the woman who works for Big Brothers Big Sisters and is raising money for that cause.
She’s enthusiastic about her mission:. “We’re really excited to raise money for Wesley Chapel Chamber and Big Brothers Big Sisters,” said Roberts, whose campaign slogan is “Little Jan for Big Mayor.”
Roberts’ campaign has a NASCAR theme and she kicked off her campaign by waving a checkered flag and proclaiming: “Let’s get our engines started and let’s go.”
While Roberts wants to finish first, she also wants her competitors to do well.
“What I keep feeling is unity. We all have amazing charities and it’s so exciting that we can get together to raise money for the community,” she said.
