4-minute read
Kay Klymko is running for mayor in the Nov. 4 city election. As of Sept. 12, two other candidates vying for the role: Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley and Cedrick Valrie.
Klymko, 75, ran for a seat on the Lakeland City Commission in 2023 and Polk County Commission in 2024. “For the last three years, I’ve been out in the community and all over Polk County,” Klymko said. “I’ve been listening to the people about what they’re doing, how they’re doing and what they really want.”
“Being mayor is not about me or what I want, but it’s about what residents want collectively and what they want and need our community to be,” she said.
Klymko’s priorities include boosting community engagement, balancing economic growth with community well-being, and expediting the development of infrastructure for emergency services.
Community engagement
Klymko believes that the 14.9% voter turnout in the 2023 city election indicates a lack of engagement between local government and its citizens. She will continue connecting with constituents. “I’m currently knocking on doors,” Klymko said. “I will go to their community organizational group meetings and listen to them.”
She also plans to limit campaign contributions. “I will demonstrate that I care more about them by not asking people to spend a lot on my campaign,” Klymko said. “When I reach $5,000 in campaign donations, I’m going to put a hold on further donations. I’m going to request my supporters to help the organizations in our community that serve the vulnerable populations that I’m concerned about.”
Economic growth with community wellbeing
Klymko says she has learned a lot about Lakelanders’ concerns. “They are filled with anxiety … and they’re really fearful for their future,” Klymko said. “They just really feel their leaders haven’t been listening to them or responding to their concerns. They are disengaged, and they feel their leaders are more focused on building wealth … more growth. It’s taken over the concern for our community’s well-being and safety.”
She believes the city must invest in vulnerable populations, especially Lakeland’s youth and young families, the elderly and people experiencing homelessness.
“Too many people have been left behind. They’re struggling with affordable living — it’s more than just affordable housing. It’s affordable living. Being able to afford food, their rent, their transportation expenses, the cost of education,” Klymko said. “I think it’s time for us to really pause and really tend to our vulnerable populations.”
She plans to propose that the city invest $1 million in three key areas:
- Police Athletic League building
- Senior hub or center
- Families and people experiencing homelessness
For Klymko, a budget is a moral plan. “It really sets the values of what the leadership feels is important to invest in. … Although I agree that economic growth is important, it just has to be balanced.”
Emergency services and first responders
Finally, Klymko said the city must prioritize development of additional infrastructure to support emergency services. She said response times are sometimes delayed for those in need of critical care. “We need to expedite Station 8, and now there’s plans for a Station 9 over by the airport. We need to move a little faster for our first responders.”
A beautiful treasure
Klymko moved to Lakeland in 2019. “We have a beautiful treasure here” she said. “We need to own it and recognize it and do everything we can to make sure it continues to grow in the right direction.”
Klymko has more than 40 years of experience in the health care field as both a family nurse practitioner, administrator, and university professor. After retiring from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, she moved to Florida to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. She continued to work for Florida Health Care Plans and retired from that position in January 2025.
“I am a very energetic, active, healthy, 75-year-old,” Klymko said. “All of the experiences that I have had, the maturity, the wisdom that I’ve gained through my life … I’m not a person that just jumps in and makes a quick decision. I step back and I analyze, and I take in all the information before giving an opinion on it.”
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