Every first Saturday of each month, barring any severe weather, Derrick Wallace’s campaign volunteers turn out in force to prepare and serve fish and chips or fish and grits, to people who stop by from within and outside the district. And, so it was Saturday, under a bright and sunny sky.
Irene Jerelds, a campaign volunteer, said preparations start the night before and around 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the Fish Fry fundraiser, volunteers arrive at Wallace’s campaign headquarters located at 2000 Bruton Boulevard, to begin setting up tents, tables, gas burners and all the other paraphernalia that goes along with being ready for the first sale at 10:00 a.m.
“Fish and grits are the most popular food items, then it’s the fish and fries,” said Jerelds, a former building technician at the Orange County Fire Department, who retired in 2005.
She says the monthly Fish Fry fundraisers are also used to make contact with new people and get them interested in the campaign. About 150 persons signed up when they came to Saturday’s Fish Fry, Jerelds said. Volunteers also deliver the fare to beauty salons and barber shops in the area.
Jerelds believes Wallace is the best candidate for Orange County Commissioner, District 6. It’s a crowded field with four other candidates in the race – Victoria Siplin, Homer Hartage, Roberta Walton and Virginia Whittington.
“I have known Mr. Wallace for a long time and he has helped a lot of people in the district over the years, some he hardly knows,” she said. “He’s an all round people person who understands the needs of the district. He’s a good guy.” She recalls Wallace purchasing rings for all of the members of the Jones High School basketball team when they won the state championship, several years ago.
On Saturday, Jerelds’ husband, Roy Jerelds, was the volunteer dredging the fish in batter and frying them until golden brown. A retired District Fire Chief for the City of Orlando, Roy has been doing this for quite a long time. And that was evident from the ease with which he dipped the fish before plunging into the hot oil to fry.
As for Wallace, he is very appreciative of his campaign volunteers whom he says, are working tirelessly to secure victory.
“I couldn’t ask for more from my volunteers,” he said. “They believe in me and I believe in them and working together we expect we’ll win.”
