Name: Larry Cellon
Office sought: Boca Raton City Council Seat D
Campaign website: Larrycellon.com
Date, place of birth: 11/06/1957, Miami
Generally speaking, is Boca Raton on the right track or the wrong track, and why?
Boca does a lot of things well. Our police and fire are first-rate, our parks and libraries are outstanding, and we’re one of only two cities in Florida – the other is Coral Gables – that has the
highest bond rating from all three agencies. That tells you something about how we manage our
money.
The problem comes with development. Half the city thinks we’re already over built and the future is bleak; the other half thinks growth is great and see no problems. I’ve been on Planning and Zoning for ten years and Community Appearance for 27 years. I’ve sat through hundreds of these development reviews. I know how to work with developers, I know what leverage we have, and I know when they’re not bringing enough value. My 1% for Culture proposal – making developers contribute to public art and placemaking instead of just taking profit – that’s the kind of deal-making we need more of. That’s the mind-set we should have when developers come calling.
We don’t need to choose between no development and poor development – we need to focus on development that works better for residents.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 1, and why? (police headquarters, public safety improvements)
Yes, I’ll vote for it. Public safety is local government’s number one responsibility, and our officers need a modern facility.
But $175 million is a lot of money. I’ve been a contractor for 40 years – I know construction budgets inside and out. Initial estimates are never the final number. There’s always fat you can trim without hurting the project. I want to get involved in the very beginning, starting with the scope of the project. Again, $175 million is a lot for a police station.
So I’ll support the bond, but I’ll also be reviewing every line item, every bid, every change order. I will ask the tough questions about costs, and my background means I actually know what I’m looking at.
We need this facility. We also need someone at the table who knows how to build responsibly.
How will you vote on ballot question No. 2, and why? (Lease of downtown land, public improvements, Memorial Park)
I will vote NO on the lease to a private developer.
The original Government Campus concept made sense: bring in a private developer to help fund public buildings. But that ship has sailed, and rather quickly.
Here’s what is really happening. We’re asking taxpayers to approve a $175 million bond for the police station, something the taxpayers will pay for, not the developer. We spent $17.5 million taxpayer money on a new City Hall office building without blinking an eye. And we have $65 million from the golf course sale earmarked for recreation. So we can make Memorial Park the crown jewel of our City.
Since we are providing all the funding, we don’t need to lease city-owned land to a private developer. We can build what our residents need – a modern police facility, upgraded City Hall, and a world-class Memorial Park – without giving away any public property.
We should build on our public land for residents, not for developers’ profit margins.
Are you satisfied that the ballot language approved by the City Council accurately reflects the details of the ballot questions?
The ballot language is mixed – one question is fair, the other is not.
The police station question is clear and neutral , exactly what it should be.
The Government Campus question reads more like an ad. It tilts the language into selling the project instead of just explaining it. The ballot language should contain straight facts. Everyone can compare the two questions on the same ballot; the contrast in tone is remarkable. This one’s written by the people pushing the project, and it shows.
The choice of using this promotional language on the ballot has done our City a disservice. Whatever side you’re on – for or against the lease – everyone should get a fair question that lets residents make up their own minds based on facts, not ballot language that looks like spin.
Thank you for asking this question.
The Florida Legislature is considering proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes. Do you agree the taxes are too high, and what tax cut proposals do you support?
Taxes are too high – I get it. But here’s reality: whatever Tallahassee does needs 60% voter approval. Cities can’t provide the same level of service if you dramatically reduce their funding. So I don’t think that’s happening and I’m not banking on the state to fix this.
What I can control is city spending. I’ve watched our permitting process grind along for years. With AI, we could review building plans in minutes instead of weeks. That saves the city money, saves applicants time and money, and makes us more competitive for business. That’s smart government.
And I don’t know where AI efficiencies will take us, but we need to be on it.
That’ s what I’m good at and will focus on making our city government faster and cheaper to run. I can’t promise tax cuts I can’t deliver, but I can promise to watch the dollars we spend.
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?
Thirty-seven years on city boards reviewing development deals. I know how negotiations actually work, what leverage we have, what we're giving away. That makes me a better watchdog than someone learning on the job.
And I’m bringing real proposals that move us forward. The 1% for Culture idea, using AI for plan review, free WiFi Downtown, bringing the turtles back to Gumbo Limbo, and knowing how to read a construction budget so I can challenge that $175 million police station number. These aren’t generalized ideas, they’re concrete things I can start working on day one.
After 40 years as a contractor, fiscal responsibility isn’t something I talk about – it’s how I work.
List in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent, colleges and universities attended with years of attendance and degrees held.
University of Florida, 1975-1979, Bachelor Degree in Building Construction
List in reverse the chronological order your work history for the past 10 years. (Do not attach a resume.)
17 years, Partner in JMW Construction, a commercial construction company.
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details and disposition.
No
Have you ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No
