BWRC September Meeting

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National and state politics consume most of the nation’s attention, but local policies and spending typically have a greater impact on citizen’s daily lives. Roads, street lights, water and sewer services, stormwater management, parks, police and fire departments, garbage collection and many other essential services all fall under local government purview. To get a closer look into the workings of local government and some of the issues they face, Belleair Women’s Republican Club’s September luncheon will feature three notable mayors as speakers: Belleair Beach Mayor Dave Gattis, Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector and Seminole Mayor Leslie Waters. 

Mayor Gattis was first elected to the Belleair Beach City Council in 2019 and was then elected as mayor in 2022. He says his focus in public service is on collaboration and strengthening the region. In addition to serving as mayor, he is president of the Mayor’s Council of Pinellas County and vice president of the Barrier Islands Government Council. He also serves on the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council and the Pinellas County EMS Advisory Board. In his professional life Mayor Gattis is Vice President of Engineering for DITEK Surge Protection in Largo.

Mayor Rector was sworn in as the 36th mayor of Clearwater in April of 2024. He says he has a passion for community service and respect for diversity of experiences and opinions. He has served as chair of the non-profit Jolley Trolley Transportation of Clearwater, Inc.; vice-chair of the Clearwater Community Development Board; vice president of the Clearwater Beach Association; a board member of Ocean Allies; past vice-chair of the Clearwater Regional Chamber; past member of the Clearwater Charter Review and Affordable Housing Advisory committees; and chair of the Clearwater Parks and Recreation Board. In his professional life he serves as general counsel for The Sports Facilities Companies, which is based in Clearwater.

Leslie Waters has been mayor of Seminole for 13 years and reports she loves being mayor. She previously spent eight years as a member of the Florida Legislature during the Governor Jeb Bush era. Prior to leaving office due to term limits, she served in the top legislative position as Speaker Pro-Tempore. Over the years she has been on the board of directors of a number of civic and community organizations, including the Pinellas County Urban League, the March of Dimes, the United Way and Brookwood, a Young Women’s Residence. Presently, she volunteers at the Seminole Interfaith Food Pantry. In her professional life, she had a 29-year career with Allstate Insurance Company and currently manages her own consulting firm, Leslie Waters Government Relations, which assists Republican candidates running for local, state or national positions by facilitating campaign workshops. Mayor Waters also teaches campaign skills internationally.

The September 5 BWRC luncheon will be held at Belleair Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Belleair. Check-in begins at 11:30 am, with lunch served starting at noon. The cost to attend is $38 per person with reservations and payment due no later than Thursday, August 21. Mail checks to BWRC at 1350 County Road 1 #57, Dunedin, FL 34697 or send payment using Zelle.