Ocoee welcomes first African-American commissioner

The city of Ocoee’s first black commissioner has made history after defeating incumbent District 4 commissioner Joel Keller in the March 13 election.

Oliver, who won by 41 votes, took his seat as the District 4 city commissioner following the swearing-in ceremony on March 20 and gave a brief speech thanking Ocoee voters and city commissioners for their warm welcome.

“I’d like to give the thanks and honor to God and Jesus Christ, who is my personal Lord and Savior, and I want to thank the commission for their warm reception,” Oliver said. “I thank them so much for speaking with me and sharing the words of wisdom. I also want to thank all the voters that came out and showed just how diverse the city really is and all the people who volunteered and supported me in this new journey that I’m about to embark on. It’s been a long road from 2015 to 2018, but again, God showed us that he can do more with less.”

Keller, who served four terms from 2006 to 2018, wished Oliver well during his farewell speech and thanked the commission his 12 years of service.

He also praised Ocoee’s decision to elect its first black commissioner, citing the city’s progress from a past tainted with the memory of the Ocoee Election Day Massacre, also known as the Ocoee Riots.

The November 1920 riots, which occurred when Ocoee was still unincorporated Orange County, started with an African-American man’s attempt to vote and was followed by a mass exodus of black people who were later driven out by violent threats or force.

“We keep hearing about the past and how 98 years ago we had the lynching when an African-American tried to vote,” Keller said. “But now, our community has become diverse enough that not only can African-American people vote without any issue, we now have our first African-American who has been elected to the position. I think that speaks volumes for George and for our city.”

Oliver also referenced the stigma the city carries from its association with the riots and said he is proud to call Ocoee home.

“I still honor the past, but as we move beyond the past and usher in new ideas, new thoughts, and a new day for our city commission and the citizens of Ocoee, the city should be proud today that we have loosened those (stigmatizations) of racism that we have come up under for so long,” Oliver said. “I’m proud of the city. I love this city, and I’m going to work hard for not only my district but the city itself.”

IN OTHER NEWS

• District 2 Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen was sworn in March 20 after winning 75.10% of the vote, defeating challenger and political newcomer Robert Rivera. “I was humbled when I saw the results, and I will tell you that I just on continuing to work for you as I have and I’m excited to be here. ... And I look forward to the next three years of working hard for you and I’m sure we’re going to see a lot of changes in Ocoee — a lot of things have happened and (there are) a lot of things we’re working on right now. And I’m excited to be here to represent you through all these changes.”
• Commissioners approved the second and final reading of ordinances pertaining to the annexation, rezoning and future land-use designation of the Darren Center Planned Unit Development. The applicant behind the Darren Center PUD aims to build a two-story o office building spanning 30,000 square feet on a 7.11-acre vacant plot of land located on the north side of West Colonial Drive, east of Blackwood Avenue and west of Clarke Road.
• City leaders also approved the second reading of an ordinance relating to the annexation, rezoning and future land-use designation of a 5.45-acre property located at 2082 West Road known as Ladybird Academy. The applicant intends to construct a 12,989-square-foot daycare for about 150 children ranging from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. City commissioners unanimously ap- proved to annex the property into Ocoee and amend it from Orange County Agriculture to city of Ocoee commercial PUD. No plans have yet been made for Phase 2 of the of the site’s future develop- ment, which also will require a public hearing.