Midterm elections
are practically here. Get to know more about some of the Orange and Seminole candidates, the issues and more.
Pete Clarke’s bid to be Orange County mayor opened his seat on the County Commission for a crowd of candidates — mostly political newcomers.
Florida’s “resign-to-run” law required mayoral hopeful Clarke to give up the last two years of his second and final term as commissioner of District 3, an area east and south of downtown Orlando that includes unincorporated communities of Azalea Park, Conway, Pine Castle, Rio Pinar and Sky Lake. About 39 percent of its 132,000 registered voters identify as Hispanic.
The candidates are nearly as diverse as the district itself. Most have some political experience.
Pete Crotty, brother of a former county mayor, has a police record stemming from drug and alcohol addictions two decades ago.
Unless one of the six candidates wins more than 50 percent of the ballots Aug. 28, the top two votegetters will face off in the Nov. 6 election to determine the winner.
The commissioner’s annual salary is $81,177.
Who are they
■ Crotty, 60, a suntan oil salesman, is a first-time candidate and the brother of former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty.
■ Bobby Lance, 64, is a franchise restaurateur who has served on the Belle Isle City Council.
■ Bill Moore, 47, works in realestate sales and is a retired Orlando police officer who lost a bid to unseat Clarke in 2014.
■ Eric Rollings, 50, works in realestate sales and has been chairman of Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District.
■ Mayra Uribe, 44, a small-business owner, previously served on the state staff for U.S. Sen Bill Nelson and ran for District 4 commissioner in 2010.
■ Randy Whiting, 57, a home inspector, was a Libertarian candidate for the Soil and Water Commission but is a first-time commission candidate.
Where they stand
Crotty: “If elected I will push for … expansion of services of Mental Health/Addiction Programs, to assure that a person in need of services has access in their time of crisis … continue to increase the Medical Sector of Orange County to become a destination for world-class health care services.”
Lance: “Prioritize crime and public safety with more neighborhood deputy patrols and improved street and sidewalk safety measures.”
Moore: “I will advocate for affordable housing in general and specifically advocate for the implementation of Community Land Trusts [‘CLT’] in order to provide housing for those whose income is not sufficient to purchase a home at market value. This type of program provides for permanently affordable homeownership for lower-income home-buyers.”
Rollings: “My platform prioritizes smart growth solutions and creating affordable housing and effective traffic/transportation management. We cannot expect to effectively address affordable housing without addressing transportation/traffic issues simultaneously. “
Uribe: “We need to reduce impact fees to make homes more affordable, shorten the permitting process to make desirable growth more attainable, especially when attempting to attract better-paying jobs to Orange County, and we need to be more open about how we make government spending in Orange County more efficient and more rational.”
Whiting: “Of particular concern to me is the ‘Debt Services’ line. It accounts for roughly 10 percent of the budget, almost double from a few years ago. While there is more to it than this, basically it is the credit line for the county and the fees generally are lost to financiers and auditors. I basically live my life without the use of much credit.”
District needs
Crotty: “In District 3, we need not be concerned with the growth of our district, but on the improvement of what we have already. Traffic and the infrastructure will always be of great importance, so maintaining and upkeep of our roadways and personal streets will be a focus.”
Lance: “Safer schools and neighborhoods with more neighborhood patrols and a tireless commissioner who wakes up every day with that goal in mind.”
Moore: “I believe what District 3 needs the most is a county commissioner who will listen to the residents’ needs and desires in their respective neighborhoods. … My commitment to the residents is that I will work for and with the residents to achieve the desired results they may have in mind.”
Rollings: “To the west of the district, we need urban redevelopment and community-relationship building. To the east, I will support a Latino community/ medical center that has been promised but not delivered.”
Uribe: “Our district needs county government that is on their side, as opposed to fighting against them. We need to address our problems on Orange Blossom Trail, Goldenrod, Curry Ford and other similar challenged corridors with more intelligent re-development.”
Whiting: “Right now, District 3 is stagnant. Without getting ridiculous or forcing government ideas on the area, we should be open to innovation that can bring an identify and to allow for positive growth at the same time.”
How they differ
Crotty: “As a first-time candidate, I am different than my political opponents because I have never run for public office. Having worked in a number of political campaigns, I am excited to now be the one in the position to make Orange County a better place.”
Lance: “I believe the distinguishing difference is a combination of being the only candidate in this race with the background and real-world experience of running a multi-million-dollar company, making payroll for hundreds of workers, years of volunteer service dedicated to strengthening community as well as being a former elected official.”
Moore: “I am the only candidate with actual public safety experience and a graduate degree in security management, which are great advantages over my opponents and skill sets needed to formulate a plan of action to address problems and implement improvements on safety-related issues.”
Rollings: “I am the only candidate that worked with commissioners and state leaders to draft and pass local ordinances and state legislation, such as the resolution to ban fracking, increasing park space, gun safety and strengthening water/fertilizing initiatives.”
Uribe: “Perspective distinguishes me from my opponents. I am not better than them, I am simply different than them. The most obvious difference is that I am the only woman and the only Hispanic running for District 3. Less obvious to those who do not know me is that I am a problem solver and a collaborator.”
Whiting: “I am not a politician or an insider. I did not get Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s endorsement and doubt he even knows my name. While I have my imperfections, I strive to be a man of integrity and not bow to opportunity for my own good.”
Campaign funds
(Through Aug. 10 finance reports)
Crotty has raised $31,000 and spent $18,000. Lance has raised $97,000 and spent $74,000. Moore has raised $5,400 and spent $5,300. Rollings has raised $65,000 and spent $51,000. Uribe has raised $42,500 and spent $27,000. Whiting has raised $4,850 and spent $4,500.