Orange County Mayoral Candidate Val Demings said, while the Venues projects are important for spurring economic growth and development in Orlando, the area’s residents must also benefit from these major investments. She said too, elected leaders should make sure that the most vulnerable in society are protected when new development occurs.
Speaking exclusively with West Orlando News Online in a wide-ranging interview on Friday, Demings lauded multi-million dollar projects like the Amway Center and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, even as she cautioned that people should always come first before new buildings or venues.
“…People matter more than things. People matter more than Venues,” said an emphatic Demings. “And there has to be a balance between new development coming into the area and the established residents, to ensure that they are not economically and socially marginalized. We have to take care of people first.”
“…Certainly, when new development comes into our area, which is a good thing, the most vulnerable in our society should benefit from it and we have to make sure, as leaders, this happens,” added Demings.
Referring particularly to Parramore where displacement of area residents has been taking place for many years owing to gentrification, she shared the view that those affected should be consulted to determine their needs and be fairly compensated.
“…If the people who live in Parramore agreed to sell their property and want to relocate, then you’ve got to be able to pay them Fair Market Value,” she said.  “…This could mean that you pay a little bit more to make them whole again in another area.”
With Metro-Orlando ranking dead last in terms of the lowest paying job market in the U.S., Demings believes the minimum wage ought to be raised to the federal government’s proposed rate of $10.10 an hour. Recent bills aimed at increasing Florida’s minimum wage from $7.93 an hour to $10.10 per hour, failed to get any traction in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
“I support raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Let’s take care of our own. Let’s not find a way to say ‘no’. Let’s find ways to say, ‘yes,’ she said.
Demings also discussed several other issues, including mass transit, homelessness, accountability of elected officials and the importance of ensuring that small businesses benefit from Orlando as the number one travel destination in the U.S.
See the full interview with Val Demings HERE.
