The Wesley Chapel municipal elections present a significant choice this year for voters: stick with incumbent mayor Brad Hovarth, elected in the fall of 2017, or switch to up-and-comer Jan Smith.

The hottest issue in this election is by far the potential development that could be going into Wesley Chapel near Potter Road, an area that developers have been eyeing for some time and that residents near the area have opposed through various social media posts and physical road signs.

Both candidates have expressed opposition to expansion plans in the area. Mayor Hovarth broke a tie in February of last year to deny the plan, though he did say he may be open to recreational facilities and office areas being built as community-builders. Smith has expressed her desire to organise and lead “R4RG” (Residents for Responsible Growth). According to Smith’s Facebook page, R4RG will “preserve the rural/small town atmosphere, manage growth in the village, and maintain a low tax rate for the residents.”

Jan Smith will be available to talk on Saturday, November 2nd from 9 am – 11 am at the Wesley Chapel Village commons roundabout.

Wesley Chapel is also holding a council race, where two seats of the four-member council will be determined. Lori Bailey, David Boyce, April Campagna, and incumbent Paul Kaperonis are vying for these seats, currently held by Kaperonis and William Rodriguez, who is not seeking reelection.

If you are over eighteen and live in Wesley Chapel, please visit this page to find your polling location, and visit here to learn more about Wesley Chapel’s government. Early voting is taking place through Friday, November 1st, at the Monroe Library.