INTERLACHEN – Family members and town officials shocked their mayor Tuesday with an award to recognize his 20-year anniversary in leadership.

A former Crescent City commissioner whom the governor booted from office hasn’t given up his hope of being an elected official.

Welaka Mayor Jamie Watts has his sights set on Tallahassee as he hopes to represent Putnam and surrounding counties in the state House of Representatives.

Welaka Mayor Jamie Watts was one of 55 people chosen from a pool of 500 applicants to attend a leadership conference.