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Former Winter Haven Mayor And Polk Commissioner Dies After Crash

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By BILLY TOWNSEND | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

WINTER HAVEN - For once, Marlene Young wasn't headed to a county commission hearing or a civic meeting or some other public gathering aimed at building a better future for Winter Haven and Polk County.

This was a family outing. The former Winter Haven mayor and three-term county commissioner was en route to see the race horse that she owned a small interest in. Her husband, Bob, was driving and her 22-year-old daughter, Meghan, who graduated from Florida State last week, was along for the ride in the back seat. They were all in Meghan's Toyota RAV4.

Just after 7 p.m., as they drove along the winding, two-lane road on the shore of Lake Howard, a speeding Toyota that appeared to be passing oncoming traffic across a double yellow line slammed into the Youngs, Bob Young said Thursday.

The driver of the oncoming car, 71-year-old William Boyd Johnson, died at the scene of the crash, not far from his home on Lake Howard Drive, Winter Haven police said. The police traffic homicide unit is continuing to investigate the crash. Police confirmed that Johnson crossed the centerline.

All three Youngs survived the initial impact, though Bob Young, 64, broke his leg and Meghan Young, her father said, suffered broken ribs, a broken scapula, a broken collarbone and a punctured lung.

Marlene Young had serious internal injuries. She was in and out of consciousness before paramedics arrived, her husband said. She was flown by helicopter to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where she died several hours later at 2:10 a.m.

And just like that, at age 58, Young's quarter century of public service ended. She leaves behind her husband and three grown children.

"She was the most amazing person," said Bob Young during a brief interview Thursday at the family home on Lake Pansy in Winter Haven. Meghan Young remained at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in intensive care, though she is expected to make a full recovery, Bob Young said.

The news of Marlene Young's death hit hard in Polk County, where she was a staple in political and civic life even after leaving politics in 2000.

""Although she no longer held public office, [Young] continued to be involved in the Winter Haven community," said Winter Haven spokeswoman Joy Townsend. "City of Winter Haven staff is, frankly, shocked at the loss. She was truly an asset who was dedicated to the betterment of our community. She will be missed immensely."

"God blessed Polk County when he sent us Marlene Young," said Neil Combee, who served with her on the Polk County Commission from 1988 to 2000 and remained a close friend. "She's given so much to this county, and she had a lot left to give."

A Long Career, Cut Short

Young arrived on the political scene in 1981, when she was elected to the Winter Haven City Commission. The commission eventually chose her as the city's first female mayor.

She won election to the Polk County Commission in 1988. A progressive Democrat, she quickly struck up a professional and personal friendship with Combee, a Republican with strong ties to agriculture.

Together, the two commissioners would be constants for 12 years, as Polk County moved through a transformative period away from its traditional rural character, and dependence on the citrus and phosphate industries, into a more urban and diversified economy.

"She was the best friend I ever had on the commission," Combee said. "She was everybody's friend."

Young developed a reputation for brains and savvy that was well justified, he said.

"She was definitely the smartest person I ever met when it came to government," Combee said. "You never had to explain anything to her."

And Young never seemed to accumulate political grudges.

In 1996, Young eked out re-election after a protracted recount in her race with Winter Haven businessman Bruce Parker.

Parker would go on to run successfully for a different commission seat. And he would team with Young, Combee and Commissioner Janet Shearer to push through the purchase of a new county jail that eased one the state's worst inmate overcrowding problems and the establishment of a road tax and construction program for the county.

That program largely eliminated dirt roads in Polk.

The man placed in charge of the road program was Mike Herr, who later became Polk County manager. He knew Young for 25 years, going back to his days as Dundee town manager and her time as Winter Haven commissioner

"She was a warrior for good government," Herr said. "She never shied away from a tough vote."

Life After Politics

Voters eventually made Young pay both for her tough votes and for her party. Auburndale Republican Jack Myers defeated her in 2000 after running heavily against the tax vote.

But Young went on to collaborate closely with Myers in working as a private citizen to bring a new University of South Florida campus to Polk County.

"What an example that sets," said David Steele, USF Lakeland's director of development.

Young had a vibrant public life after politics, serving as director and board member of the Winter Haven Community Foundation for several years. She also participated in the city's planning process in 2000 and participated in last week's Winter Haven city government retreat.

"She was not in retirement mode," said Herr.

Young even found time to take up a new hobby.

"A few months ago she invested in a race horse on a whim," said Bob Young. "She went out for a cup of coffee with some friends and came back owner of one-sixth interest in a colt."

It was the perfect Marlene Young project: collaborative and challenging.

Neil Combee said he last spoke to his friend about a month ago. He said he almost called her on the day of the crash. He was trying to remember the definition of an obscure government term. He knew Young would know it. But he didn't make the call.

"I wish I had," he said.

Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409 or wtownsend@tampatrib.com.

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