Juan Lynum, one of the candidates for City Commissioner District 5 and son of current Commissioner Daisy Lynum, held his own Town Hall discussion Tuesday, before a supportive group at the Crowne Plaza Hotel downtown Orlando.
A measured and almost professor-like Lynum told the group that, he is running because he wants to continue the legacy of leadership of Commissioner Lynum. Referencing the Blueprint Jobs Program, Nap Ford Community School and Jones High School Partnership Program, Lynum said, these are legacy programs of his mother’s that he would like to build on.
“She [Commissioner Lynum] has accomplished extraordinary things in the past 16 years… so part of my campaign is continuing that leadership,” he asserted.
Regarding his own vision for District 5 and Orlando more broadly, Lynum emphasized the following areas: technology, jobs and economic development and affordable housing. He said if Orlando is be competitive, there’s need to embrace technology and its related infrastructure more fully. He would like to see appropriate technology that links neighborhood associations to their district commissioner, low-income community centers equipped with free Wi-Fi access and technology utilized in crime prevention. Referencing the proposed $100 million Orlando Magic Sports & Entertainment Complex, renovation of the Citrus Bowl and more long-term, the Creative Village, Lynum said, these developments would bring jobs and opportunities for the community.
“They [new developments] are going to bring in more jobs for the community and lots of minority contracts,” he said, referencing the BluePrint Jobs Program. “There’s going to be a lot of opportunity and thousands and thousands of jobs for people in Parramore and the surrounding areas.”
Noting that there isn’t yet a “solid plan” for the build out of the Creative Village, Lynum said, District 5 residents still had time to make their voices heard and input into its development.
Touching on the burning issue of gentrification and the displacement of Parramore residents, Lynum acknowledged that, there is “some displacement,” but offered up the possibility of higher density living, one solution which he said the city is considering. He reminded the group of the public hearings in 2003 that helped shape a plan for Parramore’s development which, according to him, is being closely followed.
“The conclusions of those hearings highlighted the beautification of Parramore and turning it from low-income to mixed income,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of affordable housing development, for example, City View.”
He said there is need to protect and promote Parramore, making it attractive for African Americans to return to the area to live. “Folks like living in urban centers…We have to make sure revitalization continues, but we need to ensure it’s affordable.”
Lynum engaged with the group on a raft of issues including, the city’s acquisition of property by Eminent Domain; property owners receiving less than market value for their land and property from the city; African-Americans’ lack of access to capital and technical assistance; inadequate support for small business growth and development; clean-up of the Rio Grande Park and the city’s take-over of street parking spaces around the Citrus Bowl.
In addition to Lynum, there are two other candidates contesting the District 5 seat – Regina Hill and Cynthia Harris.
Asked why he believes he is the best candidate in the race for Orange County Commissioner, District 5, Lynum said, “I am more qualified, that’s the simple answer.”
No doubt with District 5 voters in mind, Lynum asserted, “My plan for the district is, if there is money allocated, to get more than any other district.”
