Hoots, Jeers and No’s Greet New Commissioner Martinez

John Martinez, son of former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez was sworn in Monday as the new Orange County Commissioner for District 3, to hoots, jeers, no’s, and thumbs down signs.

Martinez took the Oath of Office saying that he was “duly qualified to hold office,” and promising to “faithfully perform his duties as County Commissioner.”  But the scores of Orange County residents who packed the County Commission Chambers Downtown Orlando to observe his swearing in and register their objection to his appointment by Governor Rick Scott, didn’t think so.

Scott announced last week that he would be appointing Martinez, an attorney and investment banker, to serve the last year of former Commissionerr Mildred Fernandez’ term, replacing former Commissioner Lui Damiani who has been in the position for 16 months.

In a heavily Puerto Rican District 3, the view is shared by many that Scott should have appointed a Puerto Rican or at a minimum someone that is familiar with the community and has a track record of community service.

“This is not what democracy looks like, this is what a government bought and paid for by money looks like….,” said Doug Head, former Orange County Democratic Chair. “We came here to witness mis-representation of democracy and we are urging the public to be aware that democracy is being subverted by money, which is influence peddling at the highest levels.”

Head likens Martinez’ appointment to what he calls the “silver spoon” phenomenon, where Scott appointed a member of the 1 percent, like himself.

“This is a clear reflection of the ‘silver spoon’ phenomenon, where people with connections, money and access to power continue to try to control the political process,” he said.

Members of The Black, Latino and Puerto Rican Alliance for Justice say, Martinez is not qualified to be appointed commissioner, has not been working in the community nor does he live in District 3.  The group says that Scott has shown his disrespect for Puerto Ricans and Hispanics by Martinez’ appointment.

Rep. Darren DeSoto (D-District 49) doesn’t necessarily believe that a Puerto Rican has to be appointed in District 3, but he is adamant that the individual must know the community and have a history of involvement with it.

“We don’t have a problem if the person being appointed is another Hispanic from another culture,” he said. “But the knowledge of the community and respect for Puerto Ricans is really what this is about.”

Orange County Mayor Jacobs in her brief remarks said she is saddened that the community is so divided and underscored the sacrifice that Martinez and his family are making in accepting the appointment.

“I feel a little saddened because our society has grown to the point where we cannot recognize that some people come to public service with sincerity,” she said.

Like Martinez, Jacobs also received her share of hoots and jeers when she said his appointment would allow the district to have a fair and open electoral process.

“The governor could have picked somebody who was going to run for re-election and that election would have been a near certainty,” Jacobs said. “And the citizens of District 3 would have had much less say that they would have had today because of the sacrifice you (Martinez) and your wife are making.”

Jacobs expressed her confidence in Martinez, even as she praised Damiani for the “phenomenal job” he had done.

“I hope that one day I will live long enough to see the time this community is unified,” she said to more jeers. “Whatever your background, whatever your religion is, we can respect each other–that we can know, if I know, that it doesn’t take someone of my same tongue, or my same color or my same gender to represent and understand the same things that I value–we all share so many of the same values.”

But, Jacobs’ closing thoughts might be a hard sell as Puerto Ricans, Latinos and Blacks believe that they have gotten a raw deal in terms of representation based on their increased population growth, according to the 2010 Census.

“We want our representation now, we don’t want to wait another ten years.  We are simply tired of not being represented,” the group said.

Occupy Orlando members also made the short trek from City Hall to join in protesting Martinez’ appointment to the County Commission.