Riviera Beach Mayor Lawson on tour

The newly appointed leader is putting together his agenda.

Riviera Beach Mayor Doug Lawson is on a two-month listening tour of his city including stops at a church, a community center and a special session focused on education.

Why it matters: Lawson, who was appointed mayor, not elected, is taking these early weeks to build engagement and support.

Participating in Lawson’s May 19 session, on education, were School Board member Edwin Ferguson, school teachers, principals and parents.

• Lawson enlisted Kendra Spence Wester to moderate. She is the principal of 1251 Learning Essentials Academy in Lake Park and was one of 11 applicants for Riviera Beach mayor.

In the room: Lawson promised a welcoming platform. At the education session, he warmly greeted every speaker and shook their hand when they finished at the microphone. About 50 people attended.

Erik Range, the mayor’s aide, summarized the two hours of comments.

• Challenges include: Most Riviera Beach students are reading below grade level and school attendance is not universally valued.
• Opportunities include: Building on the success some Riviera Beach churches are having in coaching and tutoring young people. Speakers also urged community members to participate in school board meetings. 

What’s next: Key points from this and the other sessions will become part of Lawson’s plan. 

What he’s saying: “Our goal is to put together a report to actually give back to our residents,” Lawson said. “Not just for the pictures, not just for lights. It’s really to get feedback, engagement and to incorporate that into the programming that we’re doing in the community.”

Carolyn DiPaolo

I am a co-founder, writer and editor for Stet News. I am also a former senior editor at The Palm Beach Post. For 20 years, I oversaw some of the most consequential stories published by the paper, including the “Corruption County” reporting project that led to multiple arrests of elected officials. I am a member of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2013. I live in West Palm Beach with my husband, Bill DiPaolo.