Mayor
About David
David A. Lyons has served as a City Commissioner since 1988. He was appointed to the position and subsequently ran for the office.
David became the Mayor in 2012. He is a self-employed business owner of Lyons Printing and has been involved in the printing business since 1980 when he and his family moved to FL.
Dave has been happily married to his wife Linda, for over 49 years. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Dave graduated with a B.S. degree from Youngstown State University.
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Commissioner
About Thomas
Thomas A. Smith has served the City of LaBelle for many years. He began as the Tax-Collector Commissioner on July 15, 1969 when he was elected unopposed with 98 votes. Commissioner Smith (affectionately known as “Tommy”) was elected as Mayor in 1973 and served until 1991 or nine more two-years terms. Tommy was appointed in 2012 to fill the unexpired term of Paul Puletti, who resigned to run for Hendry County School Superintendent of Schools. He was subsequently re-elected to the seat of Clerk-Commissioner, a seat which had been vacated by David A. Lyons when he was elevated to Mayor from Vice-Mayor.
Tommy brings a great deal of history and background anecdotes to the city. He is a long-time resident of LaBelle being involved in agriculture and in his business, LaBelle Plant World, among others, prior to retiring. He was greatly involved in the community along with his deceased wife June, who was a teacher for many years. Tommy remarried several years later to Ms. Lynda Rider and together they now enjoy being active in our community with the LaBelle Heritage Museum, First Baptist Church and other civic activities.
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Commissioner
About Julie
Julie Craichy Wilkins, life-long resident of LaBelle has been a licensed real estate agent for over 30 years. She has served as a city commissioner for the City of LaBelle, since 2015.
As commissioner, Julie has fought for transparency in government and consistency in enforcement and enactment of codes and ordinances. She represents the City on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, the Southwest Florida League of Cities, the Swamp Cabbage Festival Committee, and LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corp.
Julie is a planner, experienced in commercial, agriculture and residential real estate in Western Glades and Hendry Counties. She and her husband, Wayne married for 23 years, have raised their four children in LaBelle. Julie is actively involved in the community and their church, LaBelle Assembly of God. She has said that she is both grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to serve the folks of LaBelle as a commissioner.
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Commissioner
About Daniel
Daniel W. Akin was appointed City Commission as Tax Assessor Commissioner in 2010 after the passing of Commissioner Joseph Robert “Bob” Miller, Jr. He has served as the City representative on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation. Daniel has been appointed Vice-Mayor by his fellow Commissioners since 2012 and currently serves on the Hendry-LaBelle Recreation Board.
He is a lifelong resident of LaBelle, a LaBelle High School Graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma where he also played collegiate tennis on a tennis scholarship (NCAA, Division II). He married Nanlyn Cooper in 2004 and they have two children, Greyson and Drayton, whom they cherish. He is a member of First Baptist Church in LaBelle.
Daniel has worked in in many capacities since his youth at Akin-Davis Funeral Homes, which was co-founded by his father, Cecil. He is currently a licensed funeral director-embalmer, co-owner and the company President.
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Commissioner
About David
David Kelley is a thirty-year veteran educator in Florida public schools, living and working in LaBelle since 1997. David has worked as a teacher, athletic director, coach and administrator. He has served for the past five years as the principal of LaBelle High School.
David is a native of Princeton, Kentucky and moved to Florida as a child. He is a graduate of Plant City High School, St Leo University and Walden University. David is married and has four adult children and seven grandchildren. All of his children attended LaBelle public schools.
David has been very involved in the community of LaBelle. He has volunteered and supported the Junior Pro Basketball program and has worked to increase academic and athletic opportunities for school age students. He is also a nationally certified trainer for a youth mentoring program.
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