Candidate Profile: Daniel West: Mayor of Palmetto

Dan West is seeking to become Mayor of Palmetto, replacing current mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, who is retiring. In November, he will face former Palmetto City Commissioner and Manatee County Commissioner Charles Smith.

West is a lifelong resident of Palmetto with an extensive background in the agriculture industry. He has worked as an agriculture teacher for eight years and as manager of the Manatee County Fair for 17 years. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Florida Federation of Fairs and is a part-time citrus grower. West previously served as Supervisor of the Manatee River Soil & Water Conservation District from 1998 until 2002. He has been involved with numerous civic organizations dating back to 1998.

West is a graduate of Palmetto High School and University of Florida. He is married with three adult sons.

West’s goals as mayor include serving with honor, integrity, and an open-door policy. He plans to take a hands-on role and work “closely with the city commissioners and city employees to realize Palmetto’s full potential. The citizens will get my earnest efforts to keep Palmetto an inviting place to live, work, and do business.”

West acknowledges Palmetto’s need for improvement: “I see Palmetto as a diamond in the rough. I would like to see a vibrancy in the downtown business district, where there are a number of vacant storefronts that could be utilized by potential businesses. I would like to see the city work with the stakeholders in developing strategies to encourage the use of these structures. I view the new hotel and coming convention space as a real opportunity to encourage smart growth for our business district. I would like to see efforts to establish connectivity with the business district to this new amenity. We want folks to stop and patronize businesses located within Palmetto and enjoy all that we have to offer. My vision is to see Palmetto grow in smart ways that enhance, not change our small-town character.” He feels that it is his responsibility to work with residents and the local government to ensure that Palmetto remains a clean, safe, and affordable city in which to live and work.

Though West is a relative newcomer to local politics, he plans to draw on his experience working with local and state leaders as a lobbyist for the agriculture industry. He cites his 20 years of business experience, which includes budgeting, staffing, capital improvement projects, vendors, and public relations. He has also worked with various boards and committees at local and state levels and feels that these experiences have prepared him for the role of mayor.

At the time of this reporting, West has raised over $23,000 compared to Smith’s $4,400. While he has garnered the support of several local businesses, he has also received donations from developer Pat Neal and the Building on Your Dream PAC. He is also a client of the controversial local marketing firm Top Lobster, LLC, which is well-known for recent campaigns against wetland buffers and housing for homeless veterans.

When asked how such associations might influence his decisions as mayor, West replied, “I appreciate the support that people have shown me in the form of contributions to my campaign. I have worked diligently to establish a reputation for honesty and integrity. If elected, I will always make decisions and use my influence in the best interest of the City of Palmetto.”