Ocoee sets date for special election

Nate Robertson and George Oliver III announced their candidacies for the District 4 seat special election, pending qualification, come April.

Andrea Mujica Staff Writer

The Ocoee City Commission welcomed back re-elected Mayor Rusty Johnson and District 3 Commissioner Richard Firstner — as well as new District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy Tuesday, March 21.

The commission also approved the date for the special election pertaining to the election for the District 4 commissioner seat during a special session at the meeting.

Qualifiers will take place between April 21 to 28. The special election will take place Tuesday, June 13, and should a run off be necessary, it would take place Tuesday, July 11.

MEET ROBERTSTON

Nate Robertson and former District 4 Commissioner George Oliver III have announced their intentions to run for the District 4 seat special election, pending qualification.

Robertson, 40, moved to Ocoee with his wife, Kristin, about three years ago and the pair has two sons — Rylan and Rhys.

The District 4 resident has been involved in strategic business and planning for about 11 years, previously with a company named McKesson and currently with Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Robertson believes his background in strategic planning can help provide a fresh, but organized, vision to the growth of the city.

“We’ve lived in District 4 for a little over three years, and I had run for a state representative last year, District 40,” he said. “Living in that district and this seat becoming available — due to the resignation of Commissioner (George) Oliver … (I began) thinking about how could I get involved right away and focusing a bit more in Ocoee.

“I love that Ocoee is really situated as a small-town feel but also has a lot of great things to offer to people, like our parks that we continue to work on,” Robertson said. “I like the community feel of Ocoee. I like that it is a melting pot of so many different people. (I like) that it is close to just about anything you can need outside of Ocoee but that it is situat-

In Other News

n The commission approved unanimously all items in the consent agenda. These include the approval of the Fifth Amendment to the interlocal agreement between the city of Ocoee and the Orange County School Board pertaining to the Coca-Cola Property and the approval of Phase 2 for the Vandergrift Central Park Skatepark Project.

n The commission will performed the first readings of ordinance for the annexation and rezoning of the property located 413 Whittier Ave. and the annexation and rezoning of the property located at 911 Marshall Farms Road. The second reading for both properties will take place during the Tuesday, April 18, meeting.

n The commission canceled the Tuesday, April 4, meeting because of legislative days.

ed as this little great spot for people to live and raise their family — and to be able to spend time building a strong community.”

Robertson’s vision includes a focus on traffic — an ongoing concern of residents in District 4.

“District 4 includes Clarke Road, and that road has a project underway to widen it to four lanes throughout,” he said. “Part of it is, part of it isn’t, and with that, there are some signal issues we need to continue to keep working on with the traffic signals. … The other thing we need to focus on is continue to look at any additional building out of District 4 that may happen. Most of District 4 is residential and has been built out, there are a few projects underway and a few other areas of land that could be developed. But (we need to make sure) that we are doing the right development at the right time, not just developing everything just to do it, but making sure we are doing it with the right angle.”

Robertson said he has been pleased with the direction the city has headed under its recent leadership.

“I want to make sure that we continue to keep the city on the path that it’s on, which is really good,” he said. “Good path of growth, good path of making sure that the city is financially in a good place and (is) accountable. We have been seeing that the millage rate has been going down every year for the last seven years, and obviously, I want to make sure that we continue that in the new budget once we get ready to do it.”

Robertson cites his ability to unite people — as well as his lack of political experience — as strengths. He hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the commission.

“One of the things that I really work hard on, and I think it’s a reason of why me, I try to unite people regardless of their background and their socioeconomic status and — regardless of where they find themselves in the city or in life,” he said.

“And I really want to really build an opportunity for us all to work together to move things forward and to build a stronger and better community together. … The district is very multi-faceted; there’s a lot of different cultures that live within District 4, even though it may be a relatively small (number of) people.

And I feel like I can help to unite people and bring us forward as we look at the full city. … Because I haven’t been in an elected role before, I think sometimes there is an opportunity for just a very fresh new voice.” help protect your investment.

Oliver vacated the seat to run for mayor. For a recent Q&A with Oliver, visit bit.ly/3ZEMh3C.

You can choose your real estate title closing agent when buying, selling or refinancing!

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the City of Ocoee City Commission will consider the adoption of the proposed Resolution, creating the Northwest Ocoee Brownfield Area for remediation, rehabilitation, and economic redevelopment pursuant to the requirements as amended in Ch. 97-277, Laws of Florida, codified as Sections 376.77 - 376.86, Florida Statutes.

The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold the 1st public hearing on TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023, AT 6:15 PM or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 1 N Bluford Ave. The OCOEE CITY COMMISSION will hold the 2nd public hearing on TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023, AT 6:15 PM or as soon thereafter as practical. The public hearing will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers located at 1 N Bluford Ave, Ocoee.

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, CREATING THE NORTHWEST OCOEE BROWNFIELD AREA; FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION, REHABILITATION, AND ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF SAID DESIGNATION AS REQUIRED; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Interested parties may appear at the public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed action. The complete case file may be inspected at the Ocoee Development Services Department located at 1 North Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, Florida, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. You are advised that any person who desires to appeal any decision made at the public hearings will need a record of the proceedings and, for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations or an interpreter to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Clerk’s hours in of the meeting at (407) 905-3105.