LoveLakeland is a non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting the energetic contributors in our community and taking action to improve our city and continue to encourage innovative thinking. It is LoveLakeland’s goal to shine a light on our community’s creative minds, inspirational leaders, activists, students and other engaged citizens in order to share our cities most brilliant resource–the people–with others. Because of these “CityMakers”, we live in a place that we are so lucky to call home.
Howard Wiggs
R. Howard Wiggs began a storied career in public service when he was first elected to the City Commission on November 1, 1993; and became Mayor of the City of Lakeland on January 6, 2014; and
when Commissioner Wiggs assumed office, Sony Walkmans were everywhere, Sleepless in Seattle was a hit, Lawton Chiles was Governor; and electric cars were kid’s toys.
Commissioner Wiggs became Mayor Wiggs after his election in November of 2013 and has since been committed to elevating the office of Mayor on a regional and statewide basis while representing the City at public functions continuously reminding people of how special a place Lakeland is and that it is a responsibility that all its citizens have, to preserve and protect its uniqueness; and Mayor Wiggs embraced his role as the City’s ambassador, he became known for his positive attitude, for handing out Hershey kisses after meetings to his constituents and always rewarding citizens when they said the secret phrase “Love Lakeland” with a #LoveLakeland lapel pin; and Mayor Wiggs early on used up his “Mayors allotment for the creation of task forces,” flaunting an unwritten rule for mayors that they each get 3, by creating a record number of task forces on various subjects thereby using up the allotment for future mayors thru year 2052.
Mayor Wiggs, throughout his tenure in public office, established himself as a moderate voice, one who recognizes the value of all citizens regardless of their clout or station in life, and as an advocate for City employees, an advocate for neighborhoods and for all citizens of Lakeland; and
Mayor Wiggs served with pride, honor, integrity and distinction — having a major impact on what history will show will be some of the City’s most important issues, such as the establishment of sound growth policies and planning, the renewed vibrancy of Downtown Lakeland, the Francis Langford Promenade, all of the Community Redevelopment Areas, Lakeland Regional Medical Center expansions and redevelopment, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, the RP Funding Center, numerous local and regional parks and recreational facilities, all projects that will serve Lakeland’s citizens for decades to come; and was a relentless advocate and persistent voice for Home Rule in dealings with the state Legislature and was designated as a Home Rule Hero by the Florida League of Cities.