The common threads of fairness and inclusion run throughout the 8-point plan of Mike Cantone, one of four candidates in the race to become Orlando’s next mayor.
The 8 points of Cantone’s plan are:
1. A transportation plan which includes dedicated funding for the Lynx system that focuses on underserved areas, as well as, traffic and red light reform.
2. Education, or The Orlando Promise, which puts children first and proposes scholarships up to $20,000 for students to attend college, to be paid for with a combination of public and private partnerhips. The plan also calls for more after school programs for kids and an annual housing tax credit for all teachers of an Orange County Public School, if they purchase a home within the city limits.
Emphasis too, is placed on training and retraining programs in neighborhoods to provide “access to skills in new industries” for those that are unemployed and underemployed.
3. An Equal Benefits Ordinance aimed at continuing to attract world-class businesses and competitive jobs, but “rooting out discrimination using public tax dollars.”
4. A Small Business Advisory Board that focuses on Hispanic, African-American and minority businesses that will mentor and evaluate suggestions, ultimately awarding $5 million in grants every year to local entrepreneurs.
5. Creation of Restaurant Districts throughout the city aimed at fostering a Restaurant Culture, where local chefs and current local owners are empowered to add their flavor to Orlando’s identity.
6. Crime Reduction, beginning with the conduct of a comprehensive evaluation of the Orlando Police Department to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency. The plan also proposes the hiring of 50 new officers, more comunity-based police sub-stations and foot and bicycle patrols, thereby fostering police and community relationships.
7. Pension Reform is viewed as essential for balancing the city’s budget, and immediate changes are proposed for two of the three city’s pension plans. The plan anticipates that millions of dollars will be saved with these changes, along with scrapping the practice of double dipping.
8. A Comprehensive City Audit aimed at rooting out wasteful spending and making tough choices.
“Leadership starts at the top,” Cantone says. “As Mayor I will take a 15% pay cut.”
For more on Mike Cantone’s 8 point plan, visit HERE.
