Candidate: Lynne Schneider

I moved to Panama City in 1990 from my hometown of Gainesville, FL after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's in Computer Information Sciences.  I really enjoyed my computer classes but learned that sitting at a desk all day was not for me.  One day a friend who was a teacher at St. Andrew School suggested I substitute teach there.  By the end of the week I knew I had found my next career, working with children and their families.  I enrolled at FSU and graduated in 1998 with a Master's in Clinical Social Work.  Since then I have worked for Children's Home Society for 4 years then in the mental health unit at Tyndall Air Force Base for almost 10 years.  I loved helping our military members and their families but the day came when I had to put my own family first.  My father, who was my mother's care giver, died unexpectedly.  My mother had advanced Alzheimer's and needed full-time care so I moved her into my home and cared for her until she passed two years later.  I've since returned to work and am currently working as a counselor at Cedar Grove Elementary School.  My varied work experience has given me the opportunity to work with a diverse cross section of Panama City residents which has given me a broad perspective on how Panama City can best serve the people who live here.

Our city is facing challenges never imagined due to Hurricane Michael.  We need to make decisions that will impact the future of Panama City for decades.  I firmly believe that we, as a community, need to make those decisions together.  We have many talented people here who care deeply about the future of our city.  However, their voices go largly unheard because city commission meetings are held when they are at work.  The commission needs to make changes so their voices are heard and their talents can be utilized in the rebuilding process.  Our government works best when there is open, two-way conversation and we all will lead richer lives when we are treated as valued members in the political life of Panama City.

Along with engaging everyone we need to engage with local, state, and national public and private entities.  Rebuilding Panama City is a huge undertaking but we don't have to do it alone.  Public-private partnerships are one option but we need to ensure we don't lose sight of what makes Panama City unique.  As Mr. Ed McMahon, Senior Resident Fellow at the Urban Land Institute said, "In my experience, communities that set low standards, or no standards, will compete to the bottom."  By setting high standards we will attract development that creates a high quality of life and supports sustainable growth.  Massive malls, cookie-cutter box stores, and surburban sprawl are things of the past.  Mixed-use zoning, public green-space, and walkability are things of the future.  They foster social interaction which builds a sense of community and an increases our quality of life.  This is important for all of us but is especially important if we want to keep and attract young people.  We need higher paying jobs and if we make Panama City a great place to live, people will be more likely to move here, and more importantly, to stay here.  For Panama City to thrive we need to embrace the future.  As your mayor, I promise we will.