Gow Fields | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Lakeland, Florida | |
| In office January 2010 – January 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Buddy Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | R. Howard Wiggs |
| Lakeland City Commissioner | |
| Assumed office May 1992 | |
Gow Fields is a politician and the former mayor of Lakeland, Florida; he is the first African American to be elected mayor of the city. Elected in 2009, he completed his term in January 2014. Together with service as a city commissioner, he had served more than 21 and half years on the commission. Fields was elected after a runoff election, succeeding mayor Buddy Fletcher. Fields served as a Lakeland City Commissioner since May 1992.[1]
As mayor, Fields was involved in discussions about building high-speed rail connections between Orlando and Tampa.[2] Fields was named as one of the defendants in a suit brought by atheists objecting to public prayer and city meetings. The suit was dismissed.[3] During his tenure, Lakeland Linder International Airport began offering direct flights with Direct Air. Fields has also been involved in discussions over proposals to split off University of South Florida Polytechnic from the University of South Florida.
Mayor Fields also served on the Florida League of Mayors Board of Directors, including a term as the board president from August 2012 to August 2013. He is serving as the Advisor to the Florida Business Watch Board of Directors.
In 2024 he is a candidate for Polk County Property Appraiser.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gow Fields to Be Next Lakeland Mayor Archived 2010-01-04 at the Wayback Machine; Walker Wins Commission Runoff December 8, 2009 The Ledger (Lakeland)
- ^ [Central Florida Mayors Discuss High Speed Rail Stops] March 24, 2010 WMFE
- ^ John Chambliss Federal Judge Dismisses Atheists' Lawsuit Against City of Lakeland[permanent dead link] February 23, 2012 The Ledger (Lakeland)
- ^ "Election foul? Neil Combee says Gow Fields' visit with Property Appraiser violated the law".