5 first-time candidates vie for District 4 Commission seat
Five first-time candidates are competing in a nonpartisan race to represent Orange County Commission District 4, a fast-growing area that includes Avalon Park and Lake Nona. Current commissioner Jennifer Thompson was ineligible to seek re-election because of term limits.
Controlling growth and improving traffic flow are among the top issues in the district, where voters who identify as Hispanic account for 40 percent of the 143,000 registered voters, slightly outnumbering registered voters who identify as white.
Unless one of the five candidates wins more than 50 percent of the ballots Aug. 28, the top two vote-getters will face off in the Nov. 6 election to determine the winner — who earns a four-year annual salary, which pays $81,000 a year.
Who are they
■ Kevin Ballinger, 58, a Navy veteran and former business owner, has served as facilities manager for Orange County Public Schools for the last three years.
■ Maribel Gomez Cordero, 51, is a mental-health family therapist who worked 15 years with the state Department of Children & Families.
■ Susan Makowski, 53, who served as an aide to Thompson for seven years, also worked for the Central Florida chapter of the American Cancer Society.
■ Gina Perez-Calhoun, 47, a first-time candidate, has been a lawyer for 22 years, specializing in government and family law.
■ Nicolette Springer, 40, a first-time candidate, was the assistant director of a research center focused on program evaluation in mental health and criminal justice systems.
District needs
Ballinger: “As Central Florida continues to grow, investing in infrastructure must be the top priority in order to keep up with the demands that comes with an increased population. My goal is to ensure wise investments for the County while establishing a clear vision, solid leadership, and strategic planning.”
Gomez Cordero: “District 4, based on discussion with its voters, needs to stop the sprawl that is clogging our roadways, poisoning our environment and affecting the lifestyles that each citizen wishes to enjoy in Orange County. In addition, District 4 needs a better public transportation system.”
Makowski: “Orange County is facing an affordable housing crisis that needs to be addressed immediately and it’s impacting all aspects of our community. When elected, it is my priority to address this issue by pushing for [code] revisions … including the allowance of accessory dwelling units like garage apartments in some neighborhoods, as well as a reduction to the required 50-foot lot sizes to encourage smaller more affordable homes.”
Perez-Calhoun: “We need affordable senior housing to ensure that our seniors can stay close to their family members without having to go to an assisted living or nursing home. Thus, ensuring that they can continue to contribute to our local community.”
Springer: “District 4 has a unique character in Central Florida that is illustrated by the juxtaposition of its rural and urban communities. One of my many priorities will be to advocate for a revitalization of infrastructure in Orange County that does not infringe on our beloved rural areas. That infrastructure needs to include a robust public transit system.”
Improving transportation
Ballinger: “Having lived in Washington, D.C., and experienced the daily, heavy traffic congestion on my commute to and from work, I understand the need to aggressively create an alternative method of transportation to relieve the pressure for residents here in Orlando. As the city continues to develop at rapid rates, a light rail system connecting passengers to the major attractions ... would greatly improve the ability for residents to get from place to place without further contributing to the city’s traffic congestion.”
Cordero: “As a Commissioner, I will champion the use of toll money to fund smart cities investment, adopt and expand current shared transport technology, reassess current mass transit options and demand better plans by 2023. Promote autonomous vehicles and other transit.”
Makowski: “It’s time that we find a dedicated funding source for Lynx while also keeping the more than $200 million in already planned surface road improvements on schedule. Only a dedicated funding source will allow us to expand public transportation in a manner that is reliable and consistent, which will assist our residents, tourists and businesses throughout the community.”
Perez-Calhoun: “We need to consolidate our different transportation agencies and entities to have a unified plan, which includes all three counties, and implantation that reduces duplication of cost.”
Springer: “There are pockets of District 4 with no access to public transit at all...I will champion seeking a dedicated and stable funding source for our Lynx bus service which will allow for longterm planning and implementation of viable transportation solutions.”
How they differ
Ballinger: “The one major thing that distinguishes me from my opponents is my large organizational/management experience as a highly decorated senior officer in the Navy, senior manager for Orange County Public Schools security department and currently in the position as Facilities Department Head overseeing 1,100 people and managing a $50 million budget.”
Cordero: “What distinguishes me from the other candidates is my service and dedication to the community in my private and public life. In my private life as a family therapist and a leader in my church, I have been volunteering to all these organizations that help the homeless, the people in need, and people that have been abused.”
Makowski: “I know what to do, have the relationships and skills to make things happen and can hit the ground running from day one.”
(Makowski is the target of an elections complaint filed by the Orange County Democratic Party chairman alleging she violated the state elections code regarding nonpartisan elections with a mailer that included the use of the word “Democratic.”
Perez-Calhoun: “I am the only candidate dedicated to being the voice of those who have none and to champion for those who may not have a chance otherwise. I have a track record of educating our residents about the Constitution, our political system and how they can be involved.”
Springer: “I believe that my perspective as a researcher and a community advocate equips me will the skill set required to bring accountability to Orange County government ... My expertise as a program evaluator makes me uniquely qualified to advocate for an efficient and responsible use of tax dollars as well as equity in distribution of county programs and services.”
Campaign funds
(Through Aug. 10 campaign funding period)
Ballinger raised $18,000 and spent $16,000. Cordero raised $10,000 and spent $7,000. Makowski raised $112,000 and spent $72,000. Perez-Calhoun raised $12,500 and spent $7,000. Springer raised $80,000 and spent $57,000.