Vision Statement

Ponce Inlet is and will be a residential haven for those persons who value nature, quiet, privacy. It offers a small town lifestyle where people feel safe and should have easy access to small scale businesses serving their needs. The community will continue to be particularly distinguished by its natural beauty and its access to nature. It has ensured that its built environment is of high quality and appropriate scale while protecting historic features. The community will be recognized for the professionalism and integrity of its government and the high level of citizen involvement and participation in the life of the community.

Visit Our Town’s Website: https://www.ponce-inlet.org/

Local Government

Ponce Inlet is organized with a council-manager form of government:

Voters elect a Town Council, which consists of five members who serve two-year staggered terms. All five seats including the Mayor are town-wide; there are no districted seats. The Town Council establishes ordinances and policies for the town. It also reviews and approves the town budget annually. The Council appoints a Town Manager, who implements policy as voted on by the council. The town manager is the senior administrative official of the town and is responsible for all aspects of administrative oversight.

Read the Welcome to the Town of Ponce Inlet Information Booklet 2022 and the Town of Ponce Inlet Contact List.

Photo	Biography
	Mike Disher, Town Manager - Mdisher@ponce-inlet.org Michael Disher has worked for the Town of Ponce for over 10 years. He began his career with the Town as a Senior Planner in the Planning & Development Department from 2011 to 2016. After a short time working for Volusia County in DeLand, he returned to the Town in 2018 as Assistant Director of Planning & Development. He was then appointed to Director of that department in 2021. He served as the Interim Town Manager from October 2022 until April 2023, after which the Town Council hired him as the new Town Manager for Ponce Inlet.  Mr. Disher is a Florida native and has lived in the Daytona Beach area since 1997. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Geography) from the University of Georgia in 1994 and a Masters degree in City Planning from Georgia Tech in 1997. He has been certified as a professional planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 2000. He has over 25 years of local government experience, with more than 18 years as manager at all levels. As a manager, he has always worked to ensure his staff maintains the highest levels of quality, integrity, and professionalism. Understanding and maintaining that standard is essential to meet the high expectations of the Town’s citizens for its government. This expectation, as reflected in the Town’s mission statement, is one of the many qualities that sets Ponce Inlet apart from other communities.
	Lois Paritsky, Mayor Seat #1 - LParitsky@ponce-inlet.org Lois Paritsky is an attorney, licensed to practice law in New Jersey, and founding partner of Myers & Pico, PC. As a trial attorney she litigated a wide range of civil and criminal cases. The New Jersey Supreme Court appointed her to the Committee on Attorney Ethics, where she adjudicated cases involving the conduct of attorneys. She has been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Council member Paritsky first discovered Ponce Inlet in 2009 while on vacation, and made this paradise her home with her husband, Howard. In 2013, she served as Vice-Chair of the Planning Board until 2015, when she was elected to the Town Council. She currently serves as Second Vice-President to the Volusia League of Cities and she advocates in Tallahassee to protect and preserve what we value as a Town: peace, quiet and tranquility. She also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the American Flood Coalition, a national organization focused on finding solutions to mitigate the damage caused by flooding and sea level rise. Council member Paritsky is an animal advocate, a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and a member of the Animal Law Section of the Florida Bar Association working to advance the welfare of animals through protections within the legal system.
	Gary Smith, Vice Mayor - GSmith@ponce-inlet.org I served as Mayor from 2011 to 2021 after serving the Town as a member of the Planning Commission and Planning Board. I have been a property owner since 1991 and a permanent resident since 2006. My formal education includes a Professional Engineering Degree and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. I am a professional engineer, retired, licensed by the State of Florida. My 40 years of career experience include 24 in the private sector and 16 in County Government. I served as a Lieutenant in the Army Combat Engineers and am a Viet Nam Veteran.
	Bill Milano, Seat #2 - bmilano@ponce-inlet.org Bill Milano has served on the Town Council since 2012. He moved to Ponce Inlet from Broward County in 2002 with his wife Patty of 52 years; retiring after 38 years as an Educator, 16 of which as a high school principal. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education and a Masters in Guidance & Counseling, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Administration Leadership and Guidance and Counseling. He was honored as Florida Principal of the Year by the Florida Thespian Association, as United States Principal of the year by the North America Thespian Association, the Int’l Exchange club secretary/treasurer of the year, and also honored as the Alumnus of the year for Broward State College for community service. Council member Milano service record includes: 2 years as a Planning Board member; 16 years and counting as a homeowner’s association board member & president; earned designation as United States Swim Official & was selected as the meet referee for the Florida High School Swimming Championship; and he is currently treasurer on the First Step Shelter for the Homeless Board. Council member Milano and his wife enjoy frequent visits with their 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
	Elizabeth Caswell, Seat #3 - ecaswell@ponce-inlet.org Elizabeth Caswell was appointed to Town Council Seat 3, following the retirement of Mary Hoss. Elizabeth purchased her Ponce Inlet home in 2018, and remains professionally active as an author and speaker in the financial services industry. Her formal education includes an MBA in Finance and a BA in Communications.
	Joseph Villanella Seat #4 - jvillanella@ponce-inlet.org My wife Diana, and I, relocated to Ponce Inlet from Port Orange in late December, 1991. We’ve witnessed massive changes occur in Ponce Inlet during these years! We decided on a Town-Home in Sea-Gull Landing, and have never regretted moving into this terrific complex. This worked very well for us, and still meets our needs today! In late 2006 I was encouraged to run for a seat on the SGL Board. Upon winning a seat, I became President of the SGL-HOA in March 2007. Working closely with the great members on that Board, we were able to implement many improvements in SGL. I continued in that role until 2020. Staying involved and providing advice as requested, I’ve earned the unofficial role of President Emeritus!!! SGL is a wonderful, fun-loving, warm and friendly community here in Ponce!! In 2008/2009 I began paying close attention to the unfolding events that culminated in the legal struggle the town had been thrust into. I learned much about what made Ponce Inlet a special place to be a part of. This prompted me to consider joining the Town Council. In 2010 I ran for a seat on the Town Council. Having not won that election, I joined the Code Enforcement Board in 2010, and became Chair of the Code Board in 2011, a position I thoroughly enjoyed until having to resign last month. In 2015 I was appointed to represent Ponce Inlet on the River-to-Sea Transportation Planning Organization’s Citizens Action Committee, resigning last month. I also served simultaneously on the T.P.O. Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Committee for 3 years. I am very actively involved in several Ministries at Epiphany Catholic Church in Port Orange. I’ve recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors of The Family Renew Foundation in Daytona, helping young families in need. I am looking forward to working alongside the talented members of the Ponce Inlet Town Council, and the town staff, in a positive and professional manner in contributing to the success of our Town’s future as we confront and deal with the issues we will encounter in the coming years. My intentions will always be to do what is best for Ponce Inlet !
	Gary Smith, Seat #5 - gsmith@ponce-inlet.org Gary Smith served as Mayor from 2011-2021, and now as Vice Mayor. after serving the Town as a member of the Planning Commission and Planning Board. He has been a property owner since 1991 and a permanent resident since 2006. His formal education includes a Professional Engineering Degree and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He is a professional engineer, retired, licensed by the State of Florida. Mayor Smith has 40 years of career experience include 24 in the private sector and 16 in County Government. He also served as a Lieutenant in the Army Combat Engineers and is a Viet Nam Veteran.
	Cliff Shepard, Town Attorney •Board Certified - City, County and Local Government Law •Certified Circuit & Appellate Mediator •Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand. P.A. 2300 Maitland Center Parkway Suite 100 Maitland, FL 32751 Cliff Shepard is a University of Florida grad and practices local government law, complex commercial litigation, real estate development, insurance defense and construction law. He is Board Certified in City, County and Local Government Law. He serves as the City Attorney for Maitland and Apopka, Town Attorney for Ponce Inlet and Eatonville and General Counsel for the the Florida Redevelopment Association. Cliff has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©, Florida's Legal Elite and Orlando’s Best Lawyers for many years and is also recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer©.