Businessman Derrick Wallace, running to become the next Orange County Commissioner for District 6, vowed that if elected, he will be an advocate not only for the people who reside in that district, but for the entire County. It’s imperative for the people who elect their representatives to have ongoing access to them, he said.
Wallace made these observations at the Puerto Rican Leadership Council, where he addressed some 40 business owners, on Monday.
“Elected officials should always be accessible and we must ensure that the lines of communication between our elected representatives and the people who elect them are always open,” he said. “You will always have access to Derrick Wallace and if you elect me, I will be your advocate, not only for District 6, but the entire County.”
Noting the cultural diversity of District 6, Wallace offered highlights of his campaign platform which he said was anchored on five pillars. These are: jobs and economic development, expanded educational opportunities, improved safety and security, affordable housing and improved transit infrastructure. He particularly emphasized the too high rates of poverty and joblessness in District 6.
“These are not new issues for the district, but what no one has ever created is a comprehensive plan which aims to effectively address them,” he said. “If elected, I will involve all the stakeholders in developing such a plan and then we will have to figure out how to fund it.”
Commenting specifically on expanding education opportunities, Wallace said, he would like to see Jones High School serving as a model where speciality trades are taught. “Everyone is not going to go to college and it is essential that these students are taught some kind of trade,” he said.
Wallace addressed several questions including, total dollar value contract limits for small business, re-districting in Orange County and the traditional low voter turn-out in local elections.
Asked whether, if elected, he would support the re-drawing of district lines to take on board the rapidly growing Latino population in the county, likely leading to a Latino-district in the County Commission, Wallace said, “My vote would be to vote for re-districting.”
Carlos Guzmán, President, Puerto Rican Leadership Council, said Puerto Ricans are gearing up to vote in upcoming elections later this year.
“Puerto Ricans recognize the power of their vote and it is a galvanizing tool,” he said. “They [Puerto Ricans] come to the U.S. ‘cable ready’.”
Over 300,000 Puerto Ricans reside in Central Florida and more than 800,000 live in Florida.
