Running for mayor an act of charity
Every dollar Faith Jordan-Masella raises for a good cause is, in
effect, a vote for her honorary candidacy in Land O'Lakes.
By MICHELLE JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published June 20, 2005
LAND O'LAKES - Faith Jordan-Masella described it as a moment of
insanity.Busy as she is, becoming a candidate for Land O'Lakes mayor
was a good opportunity to promote her local Web business, she said.So
far, she is running unchallenged.The race is sponsored by the Central
Pasco Chamber of Commerce, with proceeds going to the chamber and the
candidate's favorite charity. Jordan-Masella's is the ABC Program,
which assists Pasco County children through the school system.If a
child wants to play in the band or do sports but can't afford an
instrument or sports equipment, the ABC program can help, she said.
The winner of the mayor's race is determined by who raises the most
money during a variety of activities, giving substance to the concept
of buying votes.During the community's annual Flapjack Festival in
November, money, er, votes will be tallied and the winner
announced.Although the title is honorary, it does require many hours
of community appearances and service.That shouldn't be difficult for
Jordan-Masella.She and her husband, Tony, own Our Town FLA. Under that
name are several Web sites that give publicity to events in local
communities, including LandOLakesFLA.com, WesleyChapelFLA.com and
CarrollwoodFLA.com. If there's a local event, she's probably there.
Just look for the person with the camera. Jordan-Masella and her
family have lived in Land O'Lakes for 19 years, 16 of them in the same
house. The 50-year-old mother of two says her age right now is her
favorite time of life. "I'm healthy and happy," she said. She and her
husband went to high school together in Ashtabula, Ohio. They were
good friends there but never dated. During a 1982 class reunion they
renewed their friendship and were smitten with each other. "One kiss,"
she said, "and we have been together ever since." Their
children, Cody, 18, just graduated from Wesley Chapel High School, and
Benea, 15, will be a sophomore at Land O'Lakes High School in August.
In addition to several planned fundraisers to secure votes,
Jordan-Masella has a motto: "Let's keep our small-town atmosphere in
spite of the growth." She would love to see a designated downtown for
Land O'Lakes. "It kills me when I go to Zephyrhills and Dade City, and
they can block off their downtown for special events," she said.
"Either Collier Parkway and State Road 54 or U.S 41 and 54 could
possibly work." Artsy shops are needed in the community, too,
according to Jordan-Masella. As a member of the board of directors and
last year's Central Pasco Chamber Member of the Year, Jordan-Masella
knows her community. "She loves Land O'Lakes," says Kathy
Dunkley, executive director of the chamber. "She is very involved in
the community. If there is an event going on, she is there. She is
very committed to Land O'Lakes." Jordan-Masella says people tell her
everywhere they go they see her. If she is elected honorary mayor they
will be seeing more of her. Her first fundraiser was a Ladies Tea at
Merrill Gardens in Lutz. A fashion show featuring local pageant
winners, residents of the assisted living facility, and children from
the community was one of the highlights of the tea. "It was the bomb,"
she said. Future events include a golf tournament at Plantation Palms
Golf Course on Sept. 17 and a clay shooting event and barbecue Oct. 29
at the Deer Creek Sporting Place on Ehren Cutoff. She said events can
be checked out on her campaign page at LandOLakesFLA.com. "Faith is a
wonderful person," Dunkley said. But even so, Dunkley wants her to
have more competition.To enter call the chamber at 909-2722 for an
application. |