ORLANDO, Fla. – Less than two weeks after taking the oath of office, interim Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose has begun work representing District 5, which includes part of the 32801 ZIP code.
“I love it here. I actually wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Rose said. “I enjoy spending time in this community.”
Last month, Rose won a runoff election to fill the seat formerly held by Regina Hill, who was suspended from office in April after her arrest on criminal charges related to elderly exploitation and mortgage fraud.
“We’re strengthening our unity here,” Rose said. “We’re about to have the SED coming in, the Sports Entertainment District, which means job opportunities. So I think there’s an opportunity right now for us to really come together, love this community even more, and take things to the next level.”
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Rose said she hopes to improve communication about opportunities available in the community, particularly for youth seeking employment and senior citizens who struggle to pay their bills.
“You have folks who will sacrifice not keeping on AC in this 100-degree weather because of their utilities. They live on a fixed income,” Rose said.
Rose, who previously worked for Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency, said she’s also focused on bringing more small businesses to the area around the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
“I want to activate Magnolia Avenue. That’s been a dream of mine while I was at the city, and it continues to be a dream of mine that I will see it to fruition,” Rose said.
The newly-elected commissioner said she will seek input from people who live and work in the community.
“I want everyone to realize this is a clean slate and this is opportunity for us to work together for what we want to see 32801, and what we want to see the District, move into,” Rose said. “I will be having a series of vision and listening sessions, where I’ll meet with the residents and the businesses to hear, ‘What are you all missing? How can I make things better?’”
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