January 28, 2021
This past Tuesday, Winter Park Town Council appointed their newest council member, Rebecca Kaufman, as their seventh seat. Kaufman will be fulfilling Chris Seemann's term that will end in April 2022.
Kaufman brings experience as a small business owner, resident of 12 years, and committed community service advocate to Council. Kaufman is the co-owner of both Ullrs Tavern and Wake N’ Bacon in Winter Park, where she finds great joy in working with both her staff and residents. Being an owner of two local businesses in the area, she’s very involved with her customers’ concerns about the community and the sizeable demographic that comes along with it.
Kaufman has always had a strong interest in community government and development. It became even more apparent when the pandemic hit in March of 2020. As news spread of businesses struggling to stay open across the U.S., including hers, she quickly got involved. Kaufman served her community by teaching others how to apply and receive unemployment and assisting other businesses in understanding how to apply for federal and local funding. Additionally, she wrote to the Grand County’s variance program on how to stay operational during COVID-19, where it was later passed by the state. She also rallied together local business owners to contact the County Commissioners to discuss their businesses’ urgent needs. It resulted in financial funding to the Grand Foundation Small Business Assistance Fund.
She didn’t stop finding ways to give back to Winter Park. When the fires made their way to the valley, her ties and connections within the community provided support for the first responders managing the fires. With the help of local restaurants, owners and volunteers, her team distributed more than 5,000 meals to volunteer firefighters, the National Guard and more first responders. This response to the community generated direct funding of $35,000 to local restaurants and secured donated meals, saving Grand County $25,000 in meal costs.
Kaufman has shown incredible dedication to the community of Winter Park, where she hopes to continue spearheading the well-being of residents and businesses alike.
“I am honored and so thankful for the opportunity to serve on The Winter Park Town Council. I'm inspired by the work the Town Council and Town Staff have completed to this date. I am humbled at the opportunity to serve a community that has given me so much and excited and ready to get to work and help in any way possible,” Rebecca said.
About Winter Park Town Council:
The Town Council workshops and meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month, starting at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Town Council encourages residents to watch and attend the Town Council meetings by registering online at wpgov.com. Residents also may approach the council during the public comment period. For more information about Winter Park Council meetings, please visit wpgov.com.
