Newcomer to fill Tavares council vacancy caused by Wolfe’s arrest

July 21--TAVARES -- Troy Singer made an unsuccessful bid for a School Board seat in a three-way 1996 primary race that included Lori Pfister, the city's new mayor. Both lost to Jimmy Conner, who went on to win the general election.

Fast forward 20 years and Pfister, now a veteran Tavares City Council member, looked to Singer to fill the vacancy created when Gov. Rick Scott suspended Robert Wolfe following his arrest last week on insurance-fraud charges.

Pfister, who was elevated from her position as vice mayor, appointed Singer under authority granted to the mayor. Her fellow City Council members unanimously approved the temporary appointment at a meeting today.

"When she [Pfister] called I was a bit surprised," said Singer, who is married with a 13-year-old son. "I was honored and humbled."

Council member Kirby Smith said he has known Singer since middle school.

"I couldn't think of a better person to represent this council and this city," Smith said.

In a resume provided to the council, Singer said he has lived in Lake County for 35 years with experience as a business owner, community volunteer and service in civic organizations. The 46-year-old Singer, in an accompanying letter, cited a bicycle accident at age 14 that left him partially paralyzed as a turning point in his life.

The accident occurred in South Florida, where his family had moved. The family later moved back to Tavares, he said, "where the entire community came out to help my family purchase a wheelchair accessible van. This outpouring of support was overwhelming and I have been very appreciative of that ever since."

He added that he would like to see the city continue on a path of "controlled growth with an emphasis on fiscal responsibility."

Singer is a graduate of Tavares High School, Lake-Sumter Community College and the University of Central Florida.

Council members also picked Smith to take over as vice mayor.

Wolfe was removed as mayor after he was accused of filing a fraudulent $9,300 additional-living-expenses claim, related to water leaks at his home, that he said he needed to cover the cost of a rental for him and his wife and their three dogs. The charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

jfallstrom@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5916

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