What’s your name and what fills your time?
Cori Bylund. Typically, my time is filled with running my solo-family law practice, volunteering, and being a wife, a mom and helper for my father who lives with us. However, these days a lot of my time is filled with running my campaign for Mayor of Neptune Beach. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to reduce my case load until the election, so that I can focus more attention on my campaign. My clients deserve my undivided attention and there is a lot of effort that goes into running for public office.
Tell us a little about your background story and how you got here (First Coast)
I grew up on the shores of the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin. My parents owned a small motel and I learned at an early age, the importance of a strong work ethic. My childhood summers were filled with fishing, swimming and boating. I lived in a small island neighborhood where there were other kids. It was the 80’s, so we were feral, local ragamuffins who took our bikes to the sand beaches with the tourists. We came home for dinner, tired and crispy, and went back out to play until mom screamed her lungs out for us to come home. Mom’s voice carried to every corner of Riley’s Point! From what I hear, I think, in many ways, growing up on Riley’s Point in the 80’s was much like growing up at the Beaches in the 80’s. I moved to the First Coast in 2002, when I started law school. As a child of the water, I fell in love with the beaches, rivers, and springs of North Florida. I moved to the beach right after I graduated from law school.
Anything special going on for this summer?
Before I decided to run for mayor, I committed to my high school class to serve as chair of our 30th Class Reunion Committee. It’s been interesting and fun to research, plan and organize, and I’m looking forward to seeing the committee’s hard work come to fruition this summer.
Any passion projects or focus for the summer?
Normally we travel in the summer, but my campaign is keeping me home this year. Luckily, for me, home is paradise! One of my passions is the sanctuary, that is my yard. My husband Dan and I live in Indian Woods; the homes are built on large, sprawling properties (for the beach, anyway!). This year, the fruits of our labor include pineapples, bananas, peaches, avocados, kumquats, grapefruit, oranges, mulberries, persimmons, pomegranates, blueberries and black raspberries! Together, we have created a beautiful landscape for our family to enjoy. Our first grandchild was born in May and I can’t wait to show him around!
Any hobbies or interests worth telling us about?
Travel is my favorite hobby. Dan and I have our Open Water Dive Certifications, so we travel to SCUBA dive. We also love genealogy and history and often plan travels around great art and architecture. I could spend a month each year in Rome and never be bored.
Favorite hobbies and/or new goals …
My goal is to become the mayor of the city I love, Neptune Beach. I’ve always been interested in local government. My undergraduate degree is in Public Administration with double emphases in Public & Non-Profit Management and Public Policy Analysis. I also have a minor in Political Science. My education and experience has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to tackle the challenges facing our city. Some of my top goals as mayor are to facilitate open communication between the elected council, the staff and our residents, and to restore faith in our elected leaders. I plan to be accessible by holding office hours at city hall and by hosting town hall meetings where residents can get answers to their problems.
What keeps you busy these days?
Meeting every single resident of Neptune Beach! When I meet someone, I hope they come away with, “she’s authentic, she’s smart and she’s trustworthy”. Now, I just need to meet everyone! I’ve been busy on the campaign trail, attending neighborhood meet & greets and speaking at civic functions. I also meet a lot of people while I’m driving around town in my blue dune-buggy, plastered with “Elect Cori” signs. Wave if you see me or stop me for a chat!
What’s one thing (funny, different, cool) that many might not know about you?
I love to climb trees. I grew up climbing the oaks and maples of Riley’s Point and to this day, if I’m hiking at Hanna or Dutton Island, if I see a good climber, I’m going up. When my middle son was running cross country, he had a regional meet in the middle of the state. I was up a tree that hung over the trail when the runners started coming through. I couldn’t get down fast enough, so I cheered him on from over the running path.
How do you like living on the First Coast?
I love it. This is home. What’s the best part of living here on the First Coast? We have everything a person could want. I had a great childhood and I am so pleased that my kids were able to experience the same freedom, wonder and appreciation for nature that we have at the Beaches. My youngest takes his surfboard to the ocean, fishes in Hopkins Creek and canoes at Dutton Island. I am thankful he has those experiences.
Anything else that you would like to tell the community?
Local elections matter. Pay attention to your local leaders because they decide whether you get to walk on the beach during a pandemic, they decide how to fund our police, and they decide how your city is developed. Get out and vote. Vote early if you can and take the time to really get to know the candidates.
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
