Lee Vause

J. Lee Vause worked for a general insurance agency and real estate brokerage firm before becoming a public servant. In 1972, Vause was elected to the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and went on to serve for two decades, first as District 5 Commissioner and then as At-Large Commissioner. During his time in office, he supported the construction of the Civic Center, County Courthouse, and new jail, and advocated for property rights and environmental regulations to prevent pollution and environmental impact due to development. Vause was elected Board Chairman six times, in 1974-1975, 1976-1977, 1977-1978, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, and 1983-1984. When he retired from office in November 1992, the Commission honored Vause with a park named in his honor. The 26-acre park on the banks of Lake Jackson was dedicated on September 13, 2001. He was active in the community as chairman of the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center Authority, the Municipal Planning Organization, and the Northwest Florida Regional Planning Council.