Incumbent Commissioner Tiffany Moore Russell of District 6, who is seeking re-election to the post, used Thursday’s Candidate Forum to highlight the work she has been doing to help attract new businesses to West Orlando and in turn create jobs in the area.
Pointing to the Pine Hills Business Redevelopment Task Force and related committees with which she is engaged, Moore Russell said that creation of a vision and action plan for the revitalization of key commercial areas in Pine Hills, was a key building block in redevelopment of the area.
Moore Russell also cited ongoing financial support which had been received and discussions taking place with the Economic Development Commission and the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF), which aim to create enterprise zones, utilizing incentives such as fee waivers, to attract new businesses into the area.
Responding to a direct question on the programs that she had started since taking office, Moore Russell pointed to recreational facilities such as the football/gym at Barnett Park, funding for a cricket field in the area, the first community garden in Orange County and a drugs-free program, among others.
Moore Russell faces two opponents in her re-election bid, Mr. David Rucker, a community organizer and Mr. Bruce Antone, who once served in the Florida Legislature.
Both Rucker and Antone said there was the need to bring jobs and industry back to the Pine Hills area and incentives were needed to support this effort.
Antone stressed the need for a plan to help redevelop Pine Hills and surrounding communities and, which must include crime reduction initiatives and after school programs for youths.
Moore Russell pointed out that mechanisms are already in place for creating a vision and action plan for re-development of the Pine Hills area, that is, the Pine Hills Business Redevelopment Task Force and efforts were already underway in that regard.
More than 75 residents of the Pine Hills and surrounding areas participated in the Candidate Forum held at the Pine Hills Community Center on Thursday night. The Forum was moderated by Ms. Becky Ellis of the Robinswood Association and Ms. Nicole Jackson of the Pine Hills Community Center.
