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Former Winter Haven Mayor Young Dies Of Crash Injuries

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By BILLY TOWNSEND

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 23, 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 Wednesday to see the racehorse in which she owned a small interest. Her husband, Bob, was driving and her 22-year-old daughter, Meghan, who graduated from Florida State University last week, was in the back seat.

They were 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. Police confirmed that Johnson crossed the center line.

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 Thursday.

Young's quarter-century of public service ended at age 58. She leaves behind her husband and three grown children.

Her Death Hits Polk Hard

"She was the most amazing person," Bob Young said 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 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 of the state's worst inmate overcrowding problems and to push through 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."

"Not In Retirement Mode"

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

Young had an active 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 in last week's Winter Haven city government retreat.

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

Young even found time to take up a new hobby.

"A few months ago she invested in a racehorse on a whim," Bob Young said. "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.

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 some obscure government term. He knew Young would know it. But he didn't make the call.

"I wish I had."

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

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