Achievements

Proud to Serve

Serving as the Orange County Commissioner of District 1 since 2020 has been an incredible honor. As I reflect on my time in office, I take immense pride in the progress we’ve made together as a community. It has been a privilege to prioritize the needs of my constituents and work towards solutions that truly benefit our district. What sets my approach apart is my unwavering commitment to placing the interests of the people above corporate influences.

Grassroots Re-Election

I’ve chosen not to accept corporate contributions, ensuring that my focus remains solely on the concerns and well-being of those I serve. As I run for re-election in 2024, I am eager to continue the work we’ve started, building on our achievements and remaining dedicated to transparent, community-driven governance. The opportunity to serve and make a positive impact drives me, and I am grateful for the chance to continue this journey with the people of District 1.

My 2020-2024 Accomplishments

Smart Growth + Affordable Housing

As the Orange County Commissioner of District 1, I’ve consistently championed the cause of smart growth, vehemently opposing detrimental urban sprawl while advocating for developments that align with our vision for a sustainable future. In a notable case, CDR-21-03-091, I seized the opportunity for smart growth by supporting the re-configuration of 300 timeshare units to multifamily units, ultimately approving a total of 600 multifamily units near US 192. My vision for this development is to prioritize essential workforce housing, addressing the critical need for affordable living spaces in our district and county.

GreenPLACE Conservation

One of my proudest achievements has been my steadfast commitment to expanding conservation lands within our community. My office accomplished a significant milestone on September 28, 2021 officially establishing a GreenPLACE Advisory Board and successfully acquired 24 acres of crucial land between Lake Pickett Rd and the Econlockhatchee River. This strategic acquisition not only enhances water protection, aquifer recharge, and floodplain storage but also closes gaps between other publicly owned lands and bolsters existing wildlife corridors in District 5. To further solidify our dedication to conservation, we allocated a substantial $100 million in the budget for land acquisition over the next decade, ensuring a sustained effort to preserve and protect our natural resources for generations to come.

Healthcare Access

I am proud to have played a crucial role in enhancing access to healthcare in Orange County an cancelling medical debt from residents affected by COVID 19. The adoption of the Local Provider Participation Fund Resolution stands out as a significant accomplishment. Recognizing the challenges posed by Florida’s lack of Medicaid expansion, I championed this resolution to support local hospitals in managing the costs associated with treating uninsured patients. By implementing a self-assessment mechanism, the resolution enabled hospitals to offset these financial burdens, allowing them to concentrate on delivering high-quality, affordable care.

Butler Chain of Lakes Protections

I have been deeply committed to protecting Bird Island in the Butler Chain of Lakes, addressing a range of issues from fatalities and noise concerns to pollution and habitat destruction caused by illicit activities. My dedication to this cause has been evident since taking office, and on October 19, 2021, we held the first stakeholder meeting to initiate comprehensive protections for Bird Island. The proposed ordinance, crafted in collaboration with various stakeholders and experts, establishes a vessel exclusion zone surrounding the island to prevent unsafe and illegal activities, safeguarding both public safety and the designated bird sanctuary.

Homelessness Support

One of my proudest achievements is successfully securing funding for Matthew’s Hope, a commendable homeless services nonprofit dedicated to fostering the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of homeless individuals and families in our community. Recognizing the urgent need to address homelessness, I tirelessly advocated for financial support to enable Matthew’s Hope to fulfill its crucial mission. By securing funding, we have empowered this nonprofit to meet basic needs, develop essential skills, and restore dignity and independence to those facing homelessness.

Wetland Protections

I have been a steadfast advocate for wetland protections, consistently addressing the critical issue at almost every Board of County Commissioners meeting. With the frequent consideration of seawall permits and wetland impacts arising from development proposals, I have consistently emphasized the importance of connecting the dots between pavement, flooding, and erosion. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these factors, I have spearheaded efforts to raise awareness within the Board, highlighting the significance of protecting wetlands as a crucial component in mitigating the adverse effects of development on our environment.

Animal Rights

One of my significant accomplishments in the realm of animal rights and public health is the successful passage of an ordinance on June 22, 2021. This landmark legislation banned the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in Orange County, addressing the rampant issues of fraud, predation, and cruelty associated with such sales. Many stores engaging in this trade failed to vet their providers properly, obtaining animals from unethical puppy mills outside the state. Several of these stores were found to source animals from breeders listed on the Humane Society’s “Horrible 100 List.”

Local Food Resiliency

In my efforts to enhance food system resiliency and promote sustainable practices, a significant policy accomplishment was achieved on August 10, 2021. The Board of County Commissioners, of which I am a part, successfully passed an ordinance allowing up to 4 hens per household. This initiative is a crucial step towards the broader goal of promoting localized and strengthened food systems, especially in light of the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic in our supply chain. Recognizing the importance of having more locally sourced food, this ordinance not only contributes to public health and well-being but also encourages responsible urban agriculture.

Strong Tree Ordinance

I supported a tree protection ordinance that marks a substantial leap towards environmental sustainability and responsible development. This values the preservation of crucial tree species but also introduces measures to incentivize the protection of as many trees as possible by implementing size limits, reducing exception side thresholds, and focusing mitigation cap eligibility on less developed sites, we ensure a more comprehensive and effective approach to tree preservation. The ordinance establishes protection zones, broadens the list of eligible species, and prioritizes the preservation of high-value trees through initiatives like the Heritage Tree program.

Fertilizer Ordinance

I am proud to have successfully passed a crucial summer fertilizer ordinance, demonstrating my commitment to environmental conservation and waterway protection during the vulnerable rainy season. With every water body in the county impaired, this ordinance, supported by the Sierra Club, signifies a pioneering effort to address harmful runoff and nutrient loads. The ordinance disallows the heavy use of nitrogen fertilizers during Florida’s rainy season, promoting the increased use of slow-releasing fertilizers to prevent runoff and enhance the cleanliness and safety of our water bodies. The introduction of a “Summer blackout” period for fertilizer application, coupled with new training requirements and larger buffers, aims to elevate environmental standards and reduce the impact on water quality.