Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Mascotte Mayor Mike Sykes is not your typical politician or city leader. Mayor Sykes absolutely loves Mascotte as a quiet small community retreat that’s away from the hustle and bustle of a big city, while still being close enough to Orlando to enjoy it all.
Born in Michigan, Sykes’s father was a US Marine. After always moving around the country, their family moved to Key West, where Sykes attended all four years of high school. After graduating, he joined the Marines, to follow in his father’s footsteps. While in the Marines, Sykes was trained and worked in air traffic control, while also working in civil affairs and as a combat marksman instructor.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in North Carolina. Sykes has worked for the Lake County Schools System as a math teacher and currently is a Disaster Preparedness Program Manager for the Sumter County Health Department. He is responsible for protecting everyone from community disasters and pandemics, including the COVID-19 challenges.
Mike Sykes bought a home in Mascotte in 2017, hoping to settle down. He met and married Krysta who is originally from Calgary, Canada. Together, they have a blended family of five children.
Mike wanted to make a difference in his community so decided to run for Mayor of Mascotte. His platform was quite simple; Be fully accessible to the people of Mascotte and give them a say in the future of their city. He ran against and beat the incumbent Mayor.
Sykes notes that Mascotte has approximately 6,000 residents. He proudly boasts how their community is growing with numerous new housing developments. He shares, “Once you get off of what you see on old Highway 50, there really are many nice new homes and affordable communities. Housing development is coming to Mascotte, much of it without HOA programs.
Sykes’s top priorities include helping current Mascotte business owners as well as bringing new businesses to the area. He says more businesses will create tax benefits, new jobs, and shopping advantages. Presently, everyone in Mascotte has to travel to Groveland, Leesburg, Clermont and other areas around Orlando to shop. A grocery store would be an essential benefit.
Sykes describes himself as a moderate and a fiscal conservative. He has worked to revise and eliminate multiple out-of-date city ordinances and wants to help create ordinances that are easier for the city and county to enforce. He is hopeful to work with the State of Florida for a much-needed safe widening of Highway 50, through Mascotte.
Sykes says he is proud of Mascotte and the services provided at City Hall and the Civic Center.
He is presently working with the city council to find a City Manager that will lead the city into the future. Sykes notes, “We need a City Manager that will interpret our visions and needs while helping us to more progressively move into a new era!” Sykes is pleased that the City Council is made up of some very different personalities and backgrounds, which helps everyone more effectively discuss all relevant issues.
“If I continue to get positive encouragement from the residents of Mascotte, I will be happy to run again for the Mascotte Mayoral position in the fall of 2021. I believe in term limits, so this would not become a lifelong career for me.”
Sykes loves being involved in the Mascotte community and invites everyone to explore every opportunity to get more involved in making Mascotte great. He shares, “Mascotte is the perfect place for young families to purchase their first homes”.
On a personal note, Sykes keeps busy as a mayor, father, husband, employee, and hobbyist. His Leesburg area bowling team recently won first place in a Florida state bowling tournament.
For more information on Mascotte and Mascotte Mayor Mike Sykes, visit City Hall, located at 100 East Myers Boulevard, Mascotte or call 352-429-3341. Email Mike.Sykes@cityofmascotte.com and visit: http://www.cityofmascotte.com/
