I would like to draw your attention to the front page of this edition. The community and Avalon Park Group are ready to build a regional park in East Orange County.
A great deal of time, effort, and investment has already gone into this game-changing project. Now it is time to move from planning to implementation. We want to make sure our children can play on dozens of soccer, baseball, football, softball, and other athletic fields beginning next year, followed by additional large-scale amenities that the community wants and our region deserves.
Within just 30 years, East Orange County and Avalon Park have become one of the most desirable places to live, learn, work, and play. We have built a community with a strong sense of belonging, safety, and opportunity.
From 100 cows in the middle of nowhere, we have become a model town for how people can live, learn, work, and play in America.
None of this progress happened by accident, and none of what comes next will happen on its own. The regional park is one project among many that will require political leadership that understands East Orange County, listens to the people who live here, and has the experience to move good ideas from concept to completion.
That need for leadership is a separate matter from the park, and it is a larger one. The decisions made in Orange County over the next several years will shape housing, transportation, public safety, education, and economic opportunity for every family in our region. East Orange County has earned representation equal to its growth, and that is what is on the ballot this year.
While I respectfully ask you to vote for two outstanding and experienced candidates in the elections on August 18 and November 3 (please see page 3 for our Non-Partisan Voter Guide), I do so only after my team and I have spent many hours meeting with candidates for public office in Orange County and beyond. We have involved community leaders and subject matter experts in the process, and we have used the best research and analytical tools available to help guide our decisions.
For East Orange County’s continued success, our extensive and thoughtful evaluation has resulted in the following endorsements:
STEPHANIE MURPHY FOR MAYOR OF ORANGE COUNTY
JOHANNA LOPEZ FOR ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 4
STEPHANIE MURPHY
In more than 30 years, I have met with countless politicians in Orange County seeking advice and asking for support for their respective campaigns.
In all those years, I have never met anyone better qualified for the locally most important elected office, Mayor of Orange County, than Stephanie Murphy.
Stephanie Murphy served three terms in the United States Congress, where she was one of the most effective members of the U.S. House of Representatives and held a seat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Before entering public office, she served as a national security specialist at the United States Department of Defense, experience that further demonstrates her readiness to lead. She came to America as a refugee from Vietnam, is a mother of two, and has proven herself as both a business leader and an educator.
I have observed Stephanie carefully analyze the needs of our community and develop thoughtful, detailed, and practical solutions. I have attended meetings with her alongside elected officials, citizens, local business leaders, and national business leaders.
I have witnessed firsthand the passion, integrity, and exceptional ability Stephanie Murphy possesses to serve Orange County as its next Mayor.
In a short time, Stephanie and her family have also become good friends of my wife, Jill, and me.
Thank you for helping Orange County and Avalon Park continue their journey to becoming one of the best places in America by giving your vote to Stephanie Murphy on August 18.
JOHANNA LOPEZ
Johanna is well known to our community as a former Avalon Park resident, a former Orange County School Board member, and a current member of the Florida House of Representatives.
Her experience and proven results in both local and state government make her uniquely qualified to help advance the dreams and needs of East Orange County.
Johanna has spent many hours with our community. She understands the vision for Orange County, and especially East Orange County, extremely well.
My team and I have met with Johanna many times, and I have always been impressed by her energy, knowledge, and passion for public service.
Please allow Johanna to serve as our District 4 Orange County Commissioner by giving her your vote. Thank you.
