Grimsley, McCland square off at Tiger Bay
PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER
Both Stacy McCland (center) and Denise Grimsley enjoy a moment of levity as S.L, Frisbie (left) speaks of the none-too-quiet predecessor J.D. Alexander. The latter was state senator for District 17, which is now District 21. Grimsely and McCland are vying to fill that seat.
PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER
Stacy McCland (center) and Denise Grimsely listen as Tiger Bay moderator S.L. Frisbie explains how the program works. Both women are running for the District 21 Florida Senate seat.
It was a negative experience dealing with a state employee that propelled Denise Grimsley, R-Lake Placid, into politics, and it has been onerous regulations that prompted rival Stacy Anderson McCland, D-St. Cloud, to also seek out the Florida Senate seat for District 21. Both are seeking to replace JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales in what was formerly the 17th District. Both appeared at the Polk County Tiger Bay club luncheon Monday, Oct. 15.
In Grimsley’s situation, she spoke of the time when she took over the family business and found it necessary to travel to Tallahassee to speak with a state regulator whose arrogant manner almost cost the family operation to go out of business. In that meeting, she claimed the individual kept his back to her the entire time and was totally rude. When she later encountered her representative at the time, Grimsley was told had she contacted him that he would have handled the situation for her.
