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Most days, Don Burns can be found at COhatch, the co-working space that faces Munn Park, downtown. “They say that beautiful tree has been there 100 years,” he says of the park. “Lakeland’s 140 years old. There’s a lot of history just looking at that tree.”
Now Burns wants to bring his perspective to government. He has declared his candidacy for Lakeland City Commissioner District B Northeast in the Nov. 4 city election. So far he’s unopposed.
Burns, 56, was planning to run in 2028 before learning that Commissioner Bill Read will step down at the end of this year.
Burns said he’s sorry to hear of Read’s resignation, and he sees an opportunity to serve in city government, for the first time.
Burns has lived in Lakeland since 2003. He retired in 2017. “I’m just a family guy,” he says. “I have a son, a daughter, married 26 years.”
He’s also a U.S. Army veteran who served from 1989-1991 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Burns believes he’ll bring a different outlook to the commission.
“I’m more of a blue-collar guy who is looking up and saying, my perspective can be different, and maybe help everybody,” he says.
He says he’s committed to transparency, efficiency and common sense.
Burns says he’ll utilize his background in maintenance if he’s elected to the commission. He believes it’s important to care for and improve city infrastructure in order to support Lakeland’s rapid growth.
Since 2020, Burns has been active with his brand I Am Lakeland. The I Am Lakeland website, podcast and social media pages provide visibility for local restaurants, artists, politicians and community organizations. He has recorded more than 120 episodes of the podcast, featuring community members. he says it has taught him to learn from and listen to people.
If elected, Burns says he’ll remain committed to connecting with Lakelanders. “I want to help listen to each individual and see if there’s anything in the government or state that we can tweak,” he says.
Burns can be contacted through his I Am Lakeland website. “I make myself available to anyone,” he says.
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