Demings’ transition team ‘building a community that works for everyone’
Orange County Mayor-elect Jerry Demings expects to receive a final report from his appointed transition team this week that outlines proposed changes in county government to address key issues his administration likely will face over the next four years.
A 62-page draft of the report shows Demings’ hand-picked panel of 37 business, community and education leaders divided into four smaller groups, each focused on specific areas. One studied technology and innovation. Another examined consumer services and business development. A third looked at sustainability and smart growth. Yet another explored a category identified as “building a community that works for everyone.”
“The work they’ve done is nothing short of extraordinary,” Demings said after the team’s final meeting Friday at the county administration building.
Orange County sheriff for eight years, Demings, 59, takes the oath of office Dec. 4 and will become the first African-American to lead Central Florida’s largest government.
“The ultimate goal I had in mind was for them to take a close look at Orange County government and determine whether the current organizational structure was sufficient to provide quality service to the citizens of Orange County and, if not, to make recommendations where we might be able to tweak that structure,” Demings said. “I think that’s what they did.”
The transition team was led by co-chairs Linda Chapin, the first elected chairman/mayor of Orange County, and Harold Mills, a Harvard Business School graduate and a 2017 finalist for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Floridian of the Year.
Chapin said the new mayor wants more collaboration and strong working relationships with other cities and neighboring counties, which should benefit the region.
“He’s got a pretty good idea of
Two women were injured late Friday after a man who deputies said arranged to purchase shoes from one woman attempted to rob her, then shot her and another woman who walked outside when she heard a fight.
The shooting was reported in the 9000 block of 6th Street about 10 p.m.
After firing at the women, deputies said the man then drove away in a car about 10 feet before crashing, and tried to carjack a third woman, but couldn’t.
Instead, he grabbed another woman’s bicycle from her and rode off, deputies said. While fleeing down 4th Street, the man saw a car that was left running while its owner opened his gate. The man hopped in the car and drove off, according to deputies.
Osceola County deputies located a suspect who was identified by one victim as the man who stole their car.
The women shot were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injures, deputies said.
to be, we take a little time to learn about each other as well.”
Back on the City Hall steps, Teuruhei Buchin and her children held the flags front of the Dr. of South Pacific islands as they waited to take a stage. Buchin, of Orlando, wore a traditional kihei, a Hawaiian dress with fabric strapped over one shoulder. She said her outfit represents ancient Hawaii, while her daughter’s grass skirt and Hawaiian state
flag represents a more modern version of the island.
“Orlando’s a melting pot of different cultures,” Buchin said. “For us, [the event is] really important because, not only does it celebrate the diversity that we have of other cultures, but we can be able to be ourselves at this point too and represent where we come from.”