Election Results on a Dark, Stormy Night

Davenport, FL – On a rainy and stormy night, I witnessed an interesting development last night at City Hall. Apparently, three ballots somehow made their way to Lakeland, which the city clerk had to retrieve, or at least that’s my understanding. I made my way there to City Hall shortly after 7 PM to witness this election right of ours in action. 7’s the time the clerk told me the votes would be counted. That’s about the time I arrived. Okay, no problem-o.

So, when I arrive, I see one candidate is there but not the other one. It appears that Tom Fellows is a no-show. But, no. That can’t be, but it was, until he showed up at 7:53 PM. No problem-o.

We’re still waiting when I see the clerk show up shortly after Fellows at 8:02, then the mayor at 8:15 as do election staff with boxes of ballots. They start counting immediately at 8:17. Problem-o.

A flash of lighting hits and, for a second, turns out the lights.

How did Tom Fellows know not to be there until about 8 PM? Who told him that he didn’t have to be there until the 8 o’clock hour? Did he somehow have pre-knowledge, while he was at home, about the tardiness issue?

It wasn’t a good look to show up so very late but just before the ballots arrived. A slightly disturbing coincidence. It appeared that it was all a timed arrival with one candidate not having been told to wait until 8 PM and, boy, did that candidate get pissed. “Never running again,” I heard.

Here are Davenport’s election results as of 4/1/25, which is confirmed by The Ledger’s report.

Seat 3 – Replacing Commissioner Bobby Lynch

Total Votes = 715 (That’s two more total votes than last year. Whoo-hoo!) While only two more voted this year than last, there were a total 1,224 new, registered voters since the last election. Something is truly wrong.

The swearing-in is on Monday April 7, 2025, at 7 PM in City Hall, Commissioners’ Chambers. That will make it official that a father and daughter will both serve on our Board of Commissioners at the same time, which in common parlance is called nepotism. (Gosh. Will they be seated next to each other too?) With Tom Fellows back, it will mean a Republican majority on our Board in addition to the one No Party Affiliation commissioner and the one DINO.

• Tom Fellows = 403
• T. Scott Woodlee = 312

Amendment 1 – Terms in Office

Keeping the number of terms in office as is. No change.

• Yes = 206
• No = 522

Amendment 2 – Super Majority

No super majority (just three votes) needed by Board to terminate either city manager and/or clerk. No change.

• Yes = 352
• No = 367

Amendment 3 – Citizen-led Petitions

No increase in the number of petitions needed to run for office. No change.

• Yes = 358
• No = 367

Amendment 4 – Repeal Sewer Limitation

The lie ends and economic development begins in the downtown Davenport area and beyond. Section 9.05 of the Charter repealed in its entirety.

• Yes = 458
• No = 264

Canvassing Board

• Joyce Hunter & Husband David Hunter (Really? Will this city ever learn to stop doing that.)
• Josh Juliano
• Alternates: Kenny Gill and Jose Montalvo