ORLANDO, Fla. – Early voting is underway for the special election in Orlando City Council, District 5.
Seven candidates are vying for the seat that was vacated when Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested and suspended from office.
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We asked each candidate the same questions. Below are the answers provided by Tiakeysha Ellison.
NOTE: We did not receive answers from every candidate.
[RELATED: Early voting underway for Orlando City Council District 5 special election. What you need to know]
SHANIQUA “SHAN” ROSE
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How long have you lived in District 5?
I have been a homeowner in District 5 for over 5 years.
What is your profession?
Town of Eatonville Community Redevelopment Agency executive director and nonprofit executive for Change For The Community.
What made you jump into the race?
I am running because as a former City of Orlando employee, Permitting Office and Community Redevelopment Agency, I have the relationships, local government experience, and understanding to go in from day one to continue the work needed for District 5 and the City of Orlando. I have experienced the tragedy, like many in this community; the loss of my husband to gun violence, the loss of my son to health challenges, homelessness and others, but I have overcame those situations and work to help others overcome theirs. I bring real-life solutions to problems people are having. Upon being elected, my top goal is to hear from the people, together we will work to create District 5 where we can live, work, and play. We will create a safer community, which includes housing affordability options, ending homelessness, creating streamlined permitting processes, education on business opportunities, more youth and senior programming, and better infrastructure.
What do you see as District 5′s specific needs and how would you work on them?
There are many needs in the community, from affordable housing to business assistance to youth programs, but the most important need is having a representative who will listen to the needs of the entire community. My goal is to create a district where we can all live work and play together!
As the next commissioner, affordable housing must be addressed, and I will encourage more public-private partnerships: how can we assist private developers? There are billions of dollars of construction taking place in the city. As the next commissioner, I will communicate more with neighborhood associations, churches, and the residents on training and job opportunities to increase income, so residents can afford to live in this community. I will pilot residential development in commercial zones that may be struggling, encourage accessory dwelling units, inclusionary zoning which requests apartment complex developers to include a certain amount of affordable units with offset in impact fees, and explore tiny home communities.
Housing First Initiatives - Implement policies that provide housing quickly to homeless individuals and a neighborhood office.
What else do you want to bring to District 5 and to the city of Orlando?
I want to create a District 5 where we can all live, work, and play together! I will continue building upon my working relationships with the mayor, commissioners, city staff, business owners, the visitors, and of course the residents.
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