VoxPopuli

08/11/2025

UPDATED! Orange County, FL Supervisor of Elections spokesperson tells VoxPopuli that contrary to rumors circulating on social media, the printing error is not "exposure" of a conspiracy, Travaris McCurdy did not win the primary and RaShon Young for HD40 is the certified Democratic candidate.

BTW, Elections Supervisor Karen Castor Dentel is to be applauded for alerting the public, taking responsibility for the mistake and fixing it. We know about this because SOE sent out a press release.

We'll update again once SOE gets back to us with the $$$ to print and mail new information sample ballots. I've been told there is a long line of reporters waiting for the info.

No real ballots were compromised, new samples are being sent to voters who received incorrect ones, says Supervisor of Elections

08/09/2025

For the Sept. 2 House District 40 Special Election between Democrat RaShon Young for HD40 and Republican Tuan Le, the Orange County, FL Supervisor of Elections accidentally listed Young's Democratic primary opponent, Travaris McCurdy, as the Democratic candidate on sample ballots — then mailed them out to 88,972 voters.
No actual ballots were misprinted in the process, SOE says.

No real ballots were compromised, new samples are being sent to voters who received incorrect ones, says Supervisor of Elections

08/09/2025

Winter Garden has announced it will NOT implement the fire assessment. Here is the statement from Winter Garden City Manager Jon Williams, posted on the Winter Garden city web site today:

"As previously communicated, the City was required to meet statutory deadlines in order to consider imposing the Fire Protection and Rescue Assessment. As such, the initial assessment resolution included the maximum assessment that can be levied (which is the amount specified in the special mailer sent to property owners).

"However, it was never the City’s intention to impose the fire assessment at the maximum rate. From the outset, our goal has been to reduce proposed operating expenditures to significantly lower - or potentially eliminate - the need of a fire assessment all together.

"After continued and careful review of the proposed FY2025-26 operating budget, the City of Winter Garden staff has identified nearly $4 million in reductions to the proposed operating and capital expenses. While there is still a need to address an operational deficit, these adjustments now allow staff to recommend that the City not proceed with the public hearing to impose a fire assessment.

"City staff will continue to evaluate the budget to ensure operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility, any additional funding needs will be considered when determining the final tax millage rate.

"We appreciate your engagement and support as we work to balance responsible fiscal management with the delivery of essential services."

Jon C. Williams
City Manager
City of Winter Garden

08/08/2025

“Go DOGE yourself!” was the message that Representative Anna V. Eskamani, PhD, had for Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Florida Agency on Fiscal Oversight (or Florida DOGE) was auditing Orange County. She said she wasn't being "cheeky" just "efficient."
“There are so many opportunities for Gov. Ron DeSantis to look in the mirror and hold himself accountable,” Eskamani said.

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State, county lawmakers lambast DeSantis administration’s bully tactics, “political theater” at press conference.

08/08/2025

OCFL Commissioner Nicole Wilson voted Tuesday against the addendum to allow Orange County corrections officers to transport ICE detainees to federal facilities. We asked if she was concerned Gov. Ron DeSantis would still remove her from the county commission. Here’s what she told us.

District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson voted against the addendum to allow Orange County corrections officers to transport ICE detainees to federal facilities. We asked if she was concerned DeSantis would still remove her from the commission. Here’s what she told us.

08/07/2025

Connected with my friend Trenessa Williams of Kizzy’s Books and More, which sells Black-authored, Black-themed books for all ages, at the Ocoee Community Market.

08/07/2025

Kathryn Brudzinski and I are at the Ocoee Community Market today 5 to 8 at the Lakeshore Center. Come say hi! We love meeting readers!

08/07/2025

We're going to be in The City of Ocoee TONIGHT at the Lakeshore Center at 125 N. Lakeshore Dr. Drop by and say hi!

We will be at the Ocoee Community Market at the Lakeshore Center THURSDAY NIGHT 5-8 p.m. Come by and say hi!
125 N. Lakeshore Drive.

08/06/2025

Three more maps accepted by the OC Redistricting Committee. Two of them could split Winter Garden and The City of Ocoee. Kathryn Brudzinski reports.

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Two would split Winter Garden, Ocoee.

08/06/2025

Orange County District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, speaking at this morning's press conference ahead of today's county commission vote to ratify the addendum allowing OC Sheriffs Deputies to transport ICE detainees to federal facilities:
"Never in my life did I think in the United States of America that I would be told, 'You can vote yes. You can vote no. You can abstain. But if you don't vote the way I tell you, I will remove you from office.'"

Semrad voted NO on ratification as did OCFL Commissioner Nicole Wilson while the other four commissioners and Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings voted YES.

08/05/2025

Veterans in the Sunshine State have more than double the su***de rate of civilians. Easy access to guns and childhood trauma may provide some answers.

Veterans in the Sunshine State have more than double the su***de rate of civilians. Easy access to guns, childhood trauma may provide some answers.

08/05/2025

Bounced checks, late payments bedevil Grayson's last political campaign. Some campaign staffers say they're still waiting on their final paychecks. Andrea Charur reports.

Grayson says delays were caused by discrepancies in employees' reported work hours.