ORANGE CITY, Fla. – It won’t be the first time Orange City will see Kelli Marks at its council dais but it will be the first time the city sees a woman holding the mayor’s gavel.
Marks was sworn in as mayor on Tuesday after winning the election. She was previously on the city council for six years before resigning so she could run for mayor.
“Orange City was incorporated 142 years ago, and we’ve never had a woman mayor so it’s a big deal for women in the world,” she said, “Our council has some more women on there this time than usual!”
Marks is also the president of the Village Improvement Association Orange City Woman’s Club, which is over 130 years old.
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“Orange City has a lot of history to it and small town feel and I want to just keep that going and make people proud to live here,” she said.
News 6 asked Marks what the top issues are that she wants to tackle now that she has the job.
“I had to shift because now the first priority is flooding,” she said, “I also want to do a little more awareness and education for the citizens through a citizen’s academy. I think it’s important for them to see our processes and how hard the staff works.”
Marks, a Pennsylvania native, has lived in Volusia County for over 30 years. She said she’s excited to bring a new perspective to the mayor’s seat.
“Nothing against men - they get the job done too! I think that women can join together and be pretty powerful in getting things done,” she said, “It’s a different world now. The women are working also. I think about five percent are mayors in Florida so that’s huge. I’m excited to be a part of that history and I hope I leave a good legacy behind me.”
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