By Joe Potter
Dade City’s April meeting felt less like a routine council session and more like a page turning toward new chapters. The room buzzed with the quiet energy of change as Scott Black, sworn in for what locals called a ninth term, stood beside a fresh face: Michael Stout, the newly elected Commissioner, Group 2. Stout wore the calm authority of a retired Tampa Police Department Major, having won 335 votes (56.21%) on April 14. His opponent, Steve Van Gordon, a seasoned real estate broker who once served as Mayor Pro Tem and Commissioner, polled 261 votes (43.79). Van Gordon’s bid was not just a contest of numbers but a reminder of the town’s enduring pull for experienced leadership.
Back on the dais, Black and Normita Woodard, who was then midterm as Commissioner, maintained the continuity the city has leaned on for years. Black’s career in Dade City has spanned decades, with his first election to the role in 1990 and a steady stream of terms as both Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. Woodard’s tenure marked a new chapter of community-first governance, balanced with the evolving needs of the city. The meeting opened with proclamations that gave voice to the city’s values. Older Americans, National Small Business Week, Administrative Professionals Day, and Mental Health Awareness Month each found formal recognition.
The city also paused to honor its own clerical stewards: Angelia Guy, Master Municipal Clerk and Florida Certified Professional Clerk, and Ma-Anna Harris, Deputy Clerk and Certified Municipal Clerk, during Municipal Clerk’s Week (May 3–9). It was a reminder that behind every decision there is a quiet backbone of service. As the agenda unfolded, attention turned to the business of the day. The Commission gave First Reading to a proposed ordinance that would align late business tax payments with state statutes. In practical terms, the due date would shift from August 1 to July 1, with receipts sold beginning July 1 and payments due by September 30, unless the ordinance specifies otherwise. A Public Hearing was scheduled for May 12, and the measure would take effect immediately upon adoption.
Another pivotal vote settled a growing urban conversation: micromobility. The city adopted a Second Reading ordinance regulating the use of electric scooters, e-bikes, and similar devices within its limits. The ordinance acknowledged the convenience and environmental benefit of micromobility while addressing safety concerns—pedestrian conflicts, event zones, and inconsistent operating standards among devices. The law defined an event zone as any area temporarily closed or restricted for a permitted public gathering, marked by signage or official notice. Within these zones, riding a micromobility device or bicycle is prohibited during the event’s duration. Violations carry consequences, from removal from the zone to civil citations issued under Florida statutes.
The ordinance took effect the moment it was adopted on April 28, a clear signal that Dade City is not just preserving the past but steering toward safer, more organized mobility for its residents and visitors. As the gavel quieted, the tone of the evening suggested a city negotiating between history and horizon, between enduring leadership and new voices, all toward a plan that keeps Dade City moving—safely, fairly, and with a practiced sense of community. ♥
