Last night the Orange County Young Democrats hosted Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for an evening of open dialogue to talk about issues affecting young voters and new business owners.
The event featured a modest turnout of around 25 young Orlando residents ranging from business owners, lawyers, students, and political aficionados.
Mayor Dyer spoke on an array of issues including Orlando’s economy, Sun Rail, the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, parking downtown, and the homeless.
In regards to Orlando’s economic future and the city’s job climate Dyer said that the City of Orlando led the state of Florida in job creation last year. The jobs were fueled by strong tourists arrivals and Orlando’s burgeoning hi-tech job sector. Last year metropolitan Orlando welcomed over 51 million visitors, setting a record as the first destination in the country to receive more than 50 million guests.
Dyer also championed the city’s efforts in the Parramore community, saying that the rate of violent crime in the area has decreased significantly due to the efforts of the Orlando Police Department, Pathways for Parramore, and the Parramore Kidz Zone.
In perhaps the most anticipated moment of the night Mayor Dyer was asked about the city’s ongoing quarrel with Food Not Bombs, an organization dedicated to bringing attention to America’s occupation in foreign lands by feeding the homeless.
Orlando has an ordinance in place that basically states that any group wanting to hold a large gathering in one of the city’s public parks has free will to do so as long as the organization first obtains a permit.
Food Not Bombs regularly holds mass feedings in Lake Eola Park and on many occasions has failed to obtain a permit. In enforcing the new ordinance the city’s police department has placed more than a few people affiliated with Food Not Bombs under arrest for violating the new rule.
In response to the attention this issue has received Dyer states that he has allowed Food Not Bombs to hold their feedings in the City Hall plaza and so far they have complied.
Dyer was asked a plethora of questions and graciously answered each and every one of them, including one regarding the city’s efforts to retain the services of the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard.
Dyer is set to run for re-election in 2012.
The Orange County Young Democrats are a local political organization dedicated to social justice, political equality, and bringing the ear of the elected to the voice of the voter.
For more information on this group please visit www.ocydfl.org.
