PROFILES

Morris West is a Haines City and Polk County native. He is a Bethune Cookman College graduate. He is a retired Police Chief and a Graduate of the FBI National Academy. He has spent his entire adult life engaging in the community with a resume of community service. He is the Chief Operating Officer for United Protective Security.

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West was elected to the Haines City Commission in 2016 and currently serving his second term. He is the only Commissioners in the history of Haines City to serve four (4) terms as Mayor. Under his leadership as Mayor, Haines City was listed in the top 50 safest cities to live for three (3) consecutive
years.

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He is a former member of the Florida League of Mayors, a representative for the Ridge League of Cities on the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, a member of the Florida Black Caucus of Elected Officials, and a member of the Florida League of Cities Land Use and Economic Development Committee. He serves as a representative for the Haines City EDC and Chamber of Commerce. He is a representative for Polk Regional Water Cooperative, a member of the East Polk Ridge Advocacy board and a board member for the Boys and Girls Club.

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West is very involved with the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity whose motto is “Culture for Service and Service for Humanity”. The service philosophy was instilled in him by his parents and his alma mater, Bethune Cookman University who instilled the service philosophy in him to “enter to learn and depart to serve.” He asserts for that reason he has always been and will continue to be a civic-minded and employee-centric. He is the recipient of the 2021 Florida League of Cities Home Rule Award and has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career.

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Mayor Selected Accomplishments

• Established additional transportation routes with a transit system

•  Re-instituted The Citizens Academy

• Increased City Fund Balance

• Beautification and Improvements of Cemeteries

• Mayor’s 5K – Benefitting Cancer Survivors

• Affordable Housing Program

• Janet Jolly Aquatic Center

• Embry Dog Park

• Softball Complex

• Community Town Halls

• Adopted Florida League of Cities Cookies & Coffee with the Mayor

• Mobile City Hall

• Roof repair program

• Paint and Beautification Program

• Façade Program

• Rent Subsidy Program

Civic & Professional Associations

• Graduate All Levels -Florida League of Cities Institute of Municipal Elected Officials

• Delegate – Florida League of Cities Legislative Days

• Treasurer - Ridge League of Cities

• Board Chairman- Hwy27 Ridge Advisory Council

• Board Member - Polk Regional Water Cooperative

•  Vice President - Florida Black Caucus of Elected Officials

• Past Member- Haines City Rotary Club

• Board Member - Florida League of Mayors

• Board Member - Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida

• Board Member - Central Florida Regional Planning Council

• Board Member - Florida League of Cities Land Use and Development

• Board Member - Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee

• Board Member - Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce

• Ex Officio – Haines City Economic Development Council

• Committee Member - Congressman Darren Soto Justice Advisory Committee

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Community Leadership

• Co-Founder Northeast Revitalization Group. A non-profit organization created to make restoration and aesthetic improvements for the elderly and disadvantaged throughout Haines City.

• Volunteer – Feeding the Ridge

• Volunteer - Keep Polk County Beautiful

• Founding Member -Northeast Rattlers Football and Cheerleading Organization

• Founding Member Northeast Vipers Football and Cheer

• Founding Member-Mid Florida Youth Conference

• Football Coach- Over seventeen (17) years

• Business Manager- Mid-Florida Football and Cheer Association

• Founder - Morris and Leah West Foundation. A Non-profit organization that sponsors swimming lessons and provides college scholarships.

• 2021 Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Award Recipient. 

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