1 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:16,960 Welcome to another episode of Sanford Says. I'm Lisa Holder, Communications 2 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:20,240 and Marketing Manager for the City of Sanford. And today I have with me 3 00:00:18,720 --> 00:00:22,160 Commissioner Kerry Wiggins. Hello Commissioner. 4 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:25,840 » How you doing? How you doing? >> I'm I'm doing well, and you? 5 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:29,480 » I am wonderful. Wonderful. >> It's so great to have you here at City 6 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:33,840 Hall in the Communications office on our podcast on your podcast. We got to talk 7 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:38,200 about some really great things you have going on in the community. You always 8 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:42,800 have some incredible opportunities for everybody, all ages. And particularly 9 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:46,000 because we're almost at the start of school this year already. Can you 10 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:49,400 believe this? It's like almost the end of end of end of July. But so you always 11 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:52,440 do your back-to-school >> Yes. 12 00:00:49,960 --> 00:00:56,400 » event amongst other wonderful things the Commissioner does in the city for our 13 00:00:54,200 --> 00:01:00,260 youth and for our adults. Can you tell us a little bit about your famous 14 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:01,840 back-to-school event? >> [laughter] 15 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:05,080 » this week, you know, lining up with my 16 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:09,240 monthly meeting, which I have the fourth Thursday of every month at the Dr. 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:13,640 William Wright Community Center. Like Lisa said, end of the month, we'll 18 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:18,360 go back in July, and we'll come and have our big bash where, you know, everybody 19 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:20,600 does the backpacks and the school supplies and things of that nature. And 20 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:23,720 that's I want to be able to to partner with 21 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:28,000 others and do something that I can give as much information as I could to the 22 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:30,880 community as a whole, the parents, the grandparents, whoever may be raising 23 00:01:29,320 --> 00:01:35,000 that child. So we teamed up with Seminole County 24 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:38,720 Public Schools. This is going to be our sixth annual, and they're going to be 25 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:42,520 out. But what we're going to do first, we'll have our meeting at 6:00. 26 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:46,720 Our normal community meeting will be from 6:00 to 7:00. 27 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:50,280 Over in the gym at 6:30, they're going to actually start the back-to-school 28 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:53,400 event where they have a table set up. The whole gym will be packed. All of the 29 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,120 surrounding schools that's on this flyer, which they can go to the website 30 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:58,720 and pick it up, right? >> sure. 31 00:01:56,640 --> 00:02:03,640 » And all of those different schools will be there. If you know anyone that child 32 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:07,479 is attending the school, but also transportation and 33 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,840 uh Red Dining Services is going to be there as well. 34 00:02:08,920 --> 00:02:14,520 Um we got different programs that are going 35 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:19,160 to be from the district that'll be there and actually each year grows big and 36 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:22,680 bigger. Uh Mr. Henderson, who runs the Westside Community Center, I was just 37 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:27,280 talking before I got here. We're telling people we have no room. I mean, we're 38 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:31,360 we're which is a great thing. Uh we are getting so packed with folks wanting to 39 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:37,560 come in and give resources, give information that is a win all all. Now, 40 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:41,959 with that being said, remember what I said, the fourth Thursday of every month 41 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:46,440 I have my community meeting at the Dr. B.L. Westside Community Center, which 42 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:51,040 starts at 6:00 p.m. So, please, other than in November and December, because 43 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:56,840 it falls on the holiday, so I do it the third Thursday of the month. And in 44 00:02:53,360 --> 00:03:01,360 November, we have a Thanksgiving meal, where we feed the community. And then in 45 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:05,920 December, we have our back we have our big bash for for Christmas. Last year, 46 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:09,760 we might have given away in partnership with numerous folks, Lake Mary Church 47 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:14,560 being the biggest one. Uh we might have gave away 48 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:19,400 at least 1,200 gro- excuse me, 1,200 gifts, excuse me. Uh and all the kids 49 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:23,000 that left had two to three gifts. So, I am excited about all the things 50 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:28,440 that we got going on. >> Yes, that's great. And so, it's 51 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:32,880 Thursday, July 23rd, that's next week. And like the commissioner said, 52 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:37,560 he can he holds these monthly meetings all the time at at the Westside 53 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:40,600 Community Development Center and Community Center, and we have all the 54 00:03:38,959 --> 00:03:44,239 departments involved there. They'll be there if you need questions answered. 55 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:47,920 Police and fire code enforcement, Community Development Block Grant, we 56 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:52,400 have Parks and Rec Planning, the the Public Works Utilities crews 57 00:03:50,519 --> 00:03:56,720 will be there. So, there's um the commissioner has city employees there 58 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:59,720 access for you to ask questions and they share the updates. So, it's really 59 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:03,600 something really important to do. It's every month like the commissioner said 60 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:07,520 and also particularly this July 23rd is the back to school event 61 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:11,920 where you have I mean there's from what it looks like we have the most schools 62 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:15,320 in the county in the city of Sanford and you're talking about high school, middle 63 00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:19,239 school level, and elementary school. So, it's all you know back to school. 64 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:22,880 Parents come on out and bring your kids and take advantage of these great 65 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:25,960 opportunities that you have uh here and your partner with the police department 66 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:30,919 will be there and they'll share stuff. >> Seminole County 67 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:36,200 uh health department, uh True Health uh again, but the plus is 68 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:37,680 these organizations come to my meeting once a month already. 69 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:41,760 » Mhm. >> And so, when you come to my meeting, you 70 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:46,440 don't just come and get information from uh the the city staff, but you also have 71 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:49,800 the different uh folks that come in from the school board. You know, we have some 72 00:04:47,919 --> 00:04:53,480 of our school board members uh that come. Uh Rosalind Geary's there all the 73 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:57,680 time. Uh and that's why I tell people about her all uh you know, and this is 74 00:04:55,160 --> 00:05:00,560 not me pushing for her, but this is something that's just straight up. She 75 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:04,720 doesn't just, you know, come when it's time to run. Uh Rosalind Geary's there 76 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:09,160 all the time, you know, and sometimes Christine's there with her and and Robin 77 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:14,520 Dellinger, you know, and so we have information 78 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:16,360 that covers anything you might need when you come to my meeting. 79 00:05:15,919 --> 00:05:21,480 » Right. >> If you know someone that does not 80 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:24,720 have social media, could you please just spread the word 81 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:28,200 and let them know all the things that we got going on in this And here's the 82 00:05:25,919 --> 00:05:32,000 kicker, I say this all the time. You do not have to live in District 2 83 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:34,640 to come to my meeting. Come to the meeting and see if there's 84 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:37,640 something I'm quite sure you come and something that you're going to be able 85 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:41,120 to learn. And if you have issues and things that needs to be heard from the 86 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:44,960 city manager to the different heads of the departments, they're all there. So, 87 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:49,120 you're able to talk to someone so that we can see what we can do to help. 88 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:52,320 » Right. And so we're coming out into the community. We you don't have to come to 89 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:54,240 city hall, make appointments with people. You know that this happens every 90 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:56,120 month. >> Yes. 91 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:59,600 » Literally the staff wait after the meeting and even to talk with people 92 00:05:58,280 --> 00:06:02,760 you know. So if you don't want to ask a question in front of everybody, you're 93 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:05,800 able to go off to the side and talk to staff. And then also we have it live 94 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:10,240 streamed on YouTube on the YouTube channel. So 95 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:15,040 that's important that you can tune in also. And just a lot of it is learning 96 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:18,919 and educating yourself on city programs >> and services as well. And not only 97 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:23,400 access to these wonderful programs with the school district and with the 98 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:26,680 commissioner leads, but also just for yourself. You know, knowledge is power 99 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:30,160 as we would say. >> Yeah. 100 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:33,760 » And so but there's a lot going on in the Westside Community Center. I know that 101 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:35,720 you have in District 2. We have the financial academy with 102 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:39,280 » Yes. >> Habitat for Humanity. We we did a 103 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:41,000 podcast recently about that. That's this coming up Saturday 104 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,720 » Yes. >> and the public can 105 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:49,040 » Because I mean actually we did a wall raising 106 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:51,640 with them a week ago. We got 19 homes. It's going to be a subdivision that 107 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:56,280 they're going to be building and it's awesome because 108 00:06:54,000 --> 00:07:00,880 there's other homes that are coming. You know that again over where Castle 109 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:04,880 Brew was. You know, we will be breaking ground at the either end of this year 110 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:11,360 beginning of next year. Uh where we're going to have 60 uh 111 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:15,680 senior living and then we have 60 other units that will be what you and I could 112 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:18,360 even you know, we could be able to afford to stay. That's going to be mixed 113 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,520 living. That's going to be single family. 114 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:24,320 » Okay. >> So that's going to be 180 units. 115 00:07:21,919 --> 00:07:28,800 Goldsboro in District 2 is you know, rocking yeah, you know. And I 116 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:34,400 thank God to be in this position to do this. You know, just even last week like 117 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:38,040 you said, what I do in this position I try to make sure everybody that wants to 118 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,400 be involved to help >> Mhm. 119 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:44,200 » is always welcome. I don't want anybody that's going to come and try to fight to 120 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:48,720 again just come to make noise. But if you want 121 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:53,440 to come to be able to help make things better in our community, you are always 122 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:57,360 welcome. Last week and and people know my passion for the youth. Last week we 123 00:07:55,520 --> 00:08:00,760 did our big food giveaway. We do food giveaway with my brothers Mark and Ryan 124 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:05,720 with the Picnic Project. They're the co-founders of the Picnic Project. We do 125 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:09,760 that once a month. And we do about 60 to 70 families with the smaller ones. 126 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:14,480 But then we do two big ones one in in July or June one of the months 127 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:19,040 of the summer and then we'll do another one in December at the Salvation Army. 128 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:25,320 One in July is at Allen Chapel. The one in December is at Salvation Army. 129 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:29,400 Last week with the big one we had the football team out there. SPD controlled 130 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:34,120 the traffic. We had Allen Chapel and their members 131 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:40,960 that were there to support the cause. And with that we were able to give away 132 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:47,440 30 33,000 pounds of groceries to 350 families 133 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:53,160 and almost a little over 13 134 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:56,839 hundred citizens. And out there that I didn't realize and someone on social 135 00:08:54,640 --> 00:09:01,280 media made a comment a parent was like you guys did that in a few hours out 136 00:08:59,240 --> 00:09:06,120 there in 105 degrees. Those young men again and I commend 137 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:10,880 Coach Calhoun which is the head football coach at Sumter on high school for 138 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:15,920 getting his staff the guys out there to support the cause. 139 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:20,600 This is how we planned on using building community. I don't have all the answers. 140 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:26,400 I don't know it all, but I try to make sure that I put myself around men and 141 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:30,120 women that are trying to do the same thing 142 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:32,640 so that we can compliment each other to make things better. 143 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:33,760 » Right. And that's what community is all about. 144 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:39,560 » Yes, ma'am. >> And so Christian Wiggins certainly knows 145 00:09:36,560 --> 00:09:43,960 how to lead that and show show up for all of the community and with these back 146 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:48,200 to school events that you sixth annual you have your food drive food giveaway 147 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:52,320 and your monthly meetings. And so we just thought we'd have this episode 148 00:09:49,560 --> 00:09:56,920 today to share with you what Commissioner Wiggins is doing just very 149 00:09:53,840 --> 00:10:00,880 briefly right now and the summertime and then there's some great things 150 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:03,960 happening. So again if you have students that are high school age all the way 151 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:06,280 down to elementary so please come out next Saturday to the back to school 152 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:08,920 event. >> Next Thursday. 153 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:12,880 » Next Thursday, sorry. Next Thursday Saturday's the the the financial 154 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:18,440 academy. That too come on out for that but what I'm what I'm getting at is that 155 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:24,040 building that location is a hub for excellence where there's so much to be 156 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:27,040 offered and and so please take advantage of that and if that's what builds 157 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:31,240 community and you get to meet your neighbor when you come out to these 158 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:35,720 things too as well. So um >> And something you said at least too with 159 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:39,760 Habitat for Humanity's doing on that. Guys if you know someone that needs help 160 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:43,040 one thing about it where they always tell me and I've talked to the CEO 161 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:48,040 numerous times of and she said to me that you know we want 162 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:51,360 because my first thing is yeah we want to put people in those 163 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:55,120 Habitat homes but I prefer if it's in Sanford for Sanford citizens to have the 164 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:59,160 first priority. We have to make sure that we come out 165 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:04,200 and we get the assistance and the help. And if you don't qualify this time and 166 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:07,320 you need some work then they're willing to work with you to 167 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:11,920 help make sure that you can get what you need. So please if you know someone send 168 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,760 them on out. Uh the flyer should be on the 169 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:17,520 will the flyer be on our website? >> website social media all that cuz you do 170 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:21,000 have to register before you attend. And there's free breakfast. 171 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:25,640 » Yeah so please spread the word so that we can get people out there and about 172 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:29,760 because again everybody does the social media everybody that might not see this 173 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:33,080 spread the word so people know so that we We'll be each other. 174 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:35,640 » Right. And if you need help that's where you're going to learn how to get the 175 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:39,680 help and where to get the help so you can try next time and all of that. And 176 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:42,040 so um cuz we know it certainly affordable housing is not going away in 177 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,120 the city of Sanford. We're going to continue working to push that initiative 178 00:11:44,520 --> 00:11:47,160 ahead. >> Yes, ma'am. 179 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,960 » Is there anything else you'd like to say, Commissioner Wiggins? Thank you for 180 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:51,480 stopping by in your busy day. I mean >> I think 181 00:11:51,338 --> 00:11:54,320 » [laughter] >> well, I I I 182 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:58,960 again just thank you guys for this opportunity. Uh and what you guys do to 183 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:02,920 allow us to be able to put things out for the 184 00:12:00,680 --> 00:12:06,920 citizens to be able to know. Uh you know, I don't I don't do the the 185 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:10,000 well, with the Facebook, I don't do a lot of responding on Facebook. This 186 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:16,000 gives me an opportunity to tell folks if they can't see me face-to-face. But I'm 187 00:12:12,120 --> 00:12:19,720 always open um for ideas and willing to meet again to sit down that 188 00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:23,960 to talk if we're going to be able to come 189 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,320 together to help make things better. I don't know everything. 190 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:31,440 » Right. >> And I'm not ashamed to say that. But 191 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:35,800 again, I'm not going to uh uh come in to fight with anyone about doing things 192 00:12:33,680 --> 00:12:38,720 that has been working. If you show me it's not working, then we can find a 193 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:41,200 better solution. Let's do it. I have no problem with that 194 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,839 at all. >> Right. Right. I see local government 195 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:49,440 closest to the people, and that's why you have your elected official here. You 196 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:54,240 know, you have concerns, questions, or you just want to say good job to some of 197 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:57,440 the staff or what the city's doing. Sometimes you like to hear the good, you 198 00:12:55,520 --> 00:13:00,200 know, that pat on the back, "Great job you're doing." you know? 199 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:04,120 So, um you can always find the commissioner's contact information on 200 00:13:02,360 --> 00:13:08,520 the website, but um best way is email 201 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:08,520 kerry.wiggins@sanfordfl.gov. 202 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:14,080 There's other ways to reach the commissioner. But um on our website at 203 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:18,520 sanfordfl.gov, please visit. You can also find out to see who is your elected 204 00:13:16,839 --> 00:13:23,200 official. If you put in your address on the city website, you can determine who 205 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:27,240 is whose district you're living in. And so, um these are challenging and 206 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:31,600 important times, and we we love the engagement with the community and it's 207 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:35,400 important that you ask questions and get involved so everybody's educated all the 208 00:13:33,680 --> 00:13:38,560 way around and you understand why the city does the things that they do and 209 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:41,760 why they offer these great programs as well. There's a lot of good stuff here 210 00:13:40,560 --> 00:13:45,200 so um thank you Commissioner Williams for 211 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:48,480 stopping by really appreciate you. >> Thank you guys for having me. 212 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:51,520 » All right. This is Lisa Holder, Communications and Marketing Manager for 213 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:55,520 the City of Sanford. Thank you for listening to Sanford says and you can 214 00:13:53,080 --> 00:14:00,720 find this podcast wherever you subscribe to your favorite podcast and on the city 215 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:04,600 website at sanfordfl.gov. Thank you. Have a great day now. 216 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,600 Bye-bye.