Voters in Orange County
Familiar, upstarts face off for seat in Orange County
Commission District 2, an area that includes Apopka, south Apopka and part of Pine Hills, will choose from two candidates with extensive political experience and two newcomers.
Voters in Orange County Commission District 2, an area that includes Apopka, south Apopka and part of Pine Hills, will choose from two candidates with extensive political experience and two newcomers.
Fred Brummer, who held the seat for eight years, and Orange County School Board member Christine Moore are the more familiar names. Businessman Mark Byrd and Patricia Rumph are the newcomers.
They are seeking to fill a seat vacated by Bryan Nelson after he was elected Apopka mayor in April.
Rod Love, who was appointed to fill Nelson’s unexpired term, chose not to seek election to a four-year term representing the district of 122,000 registered voters in northwest Orange, Apopka, parts of Pine Hills and the Ocoee area.
Congested roads and new state environmental rules affecting the cost of septic systems are key issues in the district.
Unless one of the four 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 they are
Brummer, 72, is a former twoterm District 2 commissioner, state legislator from 1998-2006 and accountant.
Mark Byrd, 62, spent 35 years in the nursery industry owning and operating a wholesale foliage business and has served on the board of directors of the Florida Farm Bureau.
Christine Moore, 57, was first elected to the School Board in 2008. She also served as Brummer’s campaign manager for his six previous campaigns, runs for County Commission in 2006 and 201 and bids for the Florida House of Representatives in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Patricia Rumph, 66, is a retired 30-year veteran of the state Department of Corrections who served in several roles, including in human resources and as a parole officer.
Where they stand
Brummer: “The substantial turnover of the Orange County Commission and the imminent retirements of senior Orange County staff make my experi-
ence and skills highly important. My background as a County Commissioner and long-time concern for and defense of District 2 will be especially valuable for our area.”
Byrd: “While I am not a twoissue candidate, there are several things that are critical to the role of government. First and foremost is public safety and second is the timely and efficient delivery of public services. This is to include everything from garbage pickup to transportation issues ...”
Moore: “The first issue I will address is adequate lighting near major population areas to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities. I do not want to see one more family traumatized from inadequate street lighting. I will immediately work with the Orange County economic development team to collaborate with the Orange Technical College staff on implementing appropriate industry programs for two new facilities ...”
Rumph: “Many communities in District 2 have been overlooked when it comes to addressing basic essentials, such as code enforcement violations by landlords, infrastructure improvements, proper street lights to help deter crimes, adequate parks/recreation facilities for our youth, and county road/ease way upkeep.”
How they differ District needs
Brummer: “District 2 needs increased Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy patrols, additional street lighting and resolution of the issues presented by the Basin Management Action Plan for Wekiwa and Rock Springs.”
Byrd: “There is no question that our community desires balanced growth that is compatible with our rural landscape. When this is accomplished, we have the best of both worlds — Big City amenities with Small Town feel and values.”
Moore: “Folks need the following issues addressed: decline and blight in many areas, job training opportunities for many residents, neighborhood policing to reduce crime, concern over the high cost of replacing septic systems in the Wekiva area, restraining growth in environmentally sensitive areas like Tangerine and excessive traffic for the entire district.”
Rumph: “What District 2 needs most is a fair and impartial representation for all of District 2. Let’s face it, for the last 20 years there are communities in District 2 that have not received the attention deserving of all District 2 citizens to be proud and a safe to live, work and play.”
Transportation
Brummer: “Improvement of transportation in Orange County will require input from the voters. I believe we can pursue a policy that is revenue neutral on our residents by reducing property taxes and simultaneously seek voter approval of a one-half penny sales tax that is paid in part by the millions of tourists to generate a dedicated revenue to improve our transportation infrastructure.
Byrd: “We must address the commute and transportation issues as to 3 main points: transportation must provide common points of origin and common points of destination, routes must assist the needs of those that need it most and public transportation must not run at a deficit.”
Moore: “The county must find a way to expedite road projects and continue working to improve connectivity with SunRail. Since, the greatest number of working folks needing public transportation live in District 2 & 6 — this issue is vitally important.”
Rumph: “We need to build some east-west rail service. Lynx is the only public transportation that moves commuters from eastwest.”
Campaign funds (from finance reports through Aug. 10)
Brummer has raised $95,000 and spent $61,000.
Byrd has raised $61,000 and spent $28,500.
Moore has raised $64,000 and spent $35,000.
Rumph has raised $34,000 and spent $12,000.
All figures come from campaign finance reports though Aug. 3, posted on the supervisor of elections website.