- April 9, 2025
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The March 11 Ocoee general election will ask residents to choose between incumbent George Oliver III and challenger Ages Hart for the District 4 City Commission seat.
Beyond opposing each other in this election, the two commission candidates have a deeper connection that makes this race one of the most interesting in West Orange. Oliver, who first won the District 4 seat in 2018 and became the city’s first black commissioner, stepped down from the seat in 2023 to challenge for the mayor’s office.
Incumbent Rusty Johnson topped Oliver in that election and Hart was appointed to fill the District 4 seat as the interim commissioner, serving in the role for 11 months until the city held a special election in March 2024. Hart chose not to run in the special election.
Oliver, after winning a lengthy legal battle against the city regarding candidate qualifications, did run and beat Nate Robertson to complete the one remaining year of the seat’s original four-year term.
Now, with just days remaining until voters cast their ballots at one of Ocoee’s three polling locations — the Jim Beech Rec Center, 1820 A.D. Mims Road; the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, 125 N Lakeshore Drive; and Ocoee Fire Station 39, 2515 Maguire Road.
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11.
Age: 57
Family: Wife, Deborah; children, Karte, George, Kameron, Christian and Isaac; six grandchildren
Education: Two associate’s degrees in paralegal studies, litigation and transactional; bachelor’s degree in business management; MBA, University of Phoenix
Relevant experience: Ocoee District 4 commissioner from 2018-23, 2024-25; Florida Supreme Court-certified mediator; member of the Washington Shores Community Development Board; board member of United Sports Complex, a non-profit organization that supports youth initiatives in and around Orange County
Years as Ocoee resident: 23 years
Why are you the best candidate for the Ocoee City Commission District 4 seat?
I have a vision for the city that will allow us to plan for the next 40 years. A vision that will address issues such as sit-down restaurants, retail economic development, infrastructure and a better quality of life for all citizens of Ocoee. The amount of work that we have completed over the past year speaks volumes to the residents of District 4.
Some of the projects that we have completed in just one short year include:
1. The completion of the widening of Clarke Road (Project completion in three weeks)
2. Three 5G towers have been installed
3. Fiber optic cabling is being installed throughout the district
4. New playground equipment is being installed in two parks
5. Played a part in the approval of the city’s first billon-dollar project (Dynasty Sports Complex)
6. Have been a champion for small businesses throughout the city
If elected, what would be your top three issues to address for the city of Ocoee?
1. The redevelopment of the West Oaks Mall. They are a privately held entity with no debt. The entire City Commission has to come together along with staff to form a united front and visit the headquarters to propose a collaborative plan regarding redevelopment. … I have had the opportunity to meet a few key players who might prove to be instrumental in establishing a line of communication between the mall owners and a prominent developer.
2. More sit-down restaurants. The city could possibly have more sit-down restaurants if we would get out of the box and visit other cities with similar footprints and ask them how were they able to transform a dead or dying area into a bustling array of sit-down restaurants and retail shops.
3. Balance between development, infrastructure and green space. Infrastructure improvement plans (road improvements, extensions, traffic lights, sidewalks, street lights, 5G, parks, wildlife reserve areas, etc.) should be on the forefront of all development discussions.
Both you and your opponent have served in this capacity. Why are you the better choice for District 4 residents?
I work with my team to get things done with a sense of urgency. I served in the seat from 2018-2023 and bring experience that my opponent just does not have.
1. I will be able to walk into office from Day 1 and pickup where I left off.
2. I have developed relationships with federal, state and county officials that have proven to be valuable to the growth of our city.
3. I have a platform that addresses the issues we face in the district.
4. I have a vision (40-year plan) not just for the district but for the entire city, which can be reviewed at GeorgeOliver3rd.com
5. My vision for the district and the city is a vision that considers generations to come, such as Gen-Z, Gen-Alpha and Gen-Bravo.
The biggest difference between me and my opponent is that I get things done. When my opponent was asked what did he do in the 12 months that he occupied the seat, he could not answer because he did nothing, a wasted opportunity to serve.
Describe how your faith would influence the way you would perform the duties of this seat.
According to Proverbs 16:9, which says: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” The thought is that God is in control of outcomes and our plans should be aligned according to His will. I would base my actions on the needs of the community while standing on my faith and biblical principles.
How important is your race in terms of representing Ocoee residents on the City Commission?
I personally don’t think that race is important in terms of how I serve the residents of Ocoee. My service to District 4 and the city is predicated on how effective I am in getting things done. My focus and mission is and has always been to move our city forward as ONE OCOEE.
If elected, will you commit to serving the entire term? Why or why not?
My commitment is to serve the people of Ocoee. Whether it be four years as the commissioner of District 4 or to transition as a citizen, I will still uphold that commitment to serving the people.
How much does the national political climate filter down into local city politics?
We are living in an increasingly polarized society. As elected officials, it is our duty to find common ground. National politics has found its way into our living rooms and kitchen tables. As (locally elected officials), it is important we recognize how national politics can have an effect on local municipal policies. Therefore, I am currently working to foster positive relationships through community partners (such as) churches, small businesses, and the community at large who have shown interest in helping to find that common ground.
In December of 2020, I was able to convince the commission to have a workshop on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The goal was to have a structured conversation among the commission and city department heads to understand (one another) a little more. From there, the plan was to move that structured conversation to the community at large. This is where the mantra of #ONEOCOEE can be used to unite all Ocoee communities.
