Brandon is a town full of traditions. One of the time honored traditions is the annual Honorary Mayor’s Race which has been run by The Community Roundtable since 1959. Each year, candidates throw their names into the ring and vie for votes from the community during the month of June. In order to get votes, the candidates hold events which raise money for local non-profits. The candidate who raises the most money wins and is declared Brandon’s Honorary Mayor at the annual 4th of July Parade.
This year’s candidates are long time Brandon attorney, B. Lee Elam and Riverview resident, Gay Lynn Love.
Elam has selected three local nonprofits- The Bill Carey Boys and Girls Club, The Brandon Service League Scholarship Fund and ECHO. Elam said, “The real winners in this are the charities of Brandon. I want to raise the maximum amount that I can for them.”
Elam will hold several events during the month of June. “Each charity will have their own event. The charity’s will act as the campaign manager for the events,” said Elam.
The campaign will be kicked off with a party hosted by attorney, Raphael Gonzalez, and a skeet shoot is planned. Dates and times to be announced.
On Friday, June 22, the Brandon Service League will host “Lee’s Bunco Babes For Brandon” at the Masonic Lodge located at 203 N. Moon Ave. in Brandon. Admission is $20.00 and the fun begins at 7 p.m. Please contact Zana Turner at 610-8090. Next, on Saturday, June 23 ECHO will host a Putt-Putt Tournament at Ace Range located at 12910 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. The contact is Ray Chadderton at 601-0597. On Sunday, June 24 at 8 a.m. golf enthusiasts will gather at Bloomingdale Golfers Club for a golf tournament. Cost is $60.00 per golfer and includes lunch from Chick-Fil-A at Lake Brandon Village. Contact Randy Olinger at 778-1874.
Elam has been active in the Brandon community for many years. He has been involved with The Community Roundtable since 1985. Elam’s sponsoring organization is the Rotary Club of Brandon.
For more information on Elam’s event, please e-mail belam1@aol.com or call 685-5661,.
Gay Lynn Love and her husband, Scott are the owner/operators of Love’s Tire and Service Center, Inc. located on Hwy 60 in Valrico. Love has selected three nonprofits as well- JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the American Cancer Society and the Brandon YMCA who is also Love’s sponsoring organization.
Love said, “I got into this reluctantly. My oldest daughter has Type 1 Diabetes. She was recently in the hospital and I decided that I cannot cure her diabetes or even care for it, so why not raise money for research.”
Love has a wide array of events planned for the month of June. On Saturday, June 2, Love will kick off her campaign with 50 for 50 Red Solo Cup Birthday Party/Mayor Kick Off Party. On Tuesday, June 12, a ladies’ movie night is planned with What to Expect When You Are Expecting at AMC Theatre. On Saturday, June 16 the men will enjoy the FishHawk Sporting Clay Shoot Event. Come to the Brandon YMCA at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 for a Corporate and Family Fitness Challenge. The last event is set for Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn Theatre. Put on your best 70’s fashions and have fun at the 70’s Party.
Love’s campaign manager is Beth Lewis. For more information on Love’s event, please contact Lewis at Baclewis@aol.com.
For more information on Brandon’s Honorary Mayor’s Race, please visit www.thecommunityroundtable.org or call 661-4350.
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