Politics
Minority Communities and Students Face Setbacks in Orange County’s Fight Over $2 Million Scholarship Funds
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – A contentious debate continues to unfold in Orange County over the $2 million scholarship program created by Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean, using surplus funds from the 2023-2024 budget. County commissioners have accused Gilzean of overstepping his authority, temporarily halting funding for his office until he provides detailed financial records.
- Illegal Withholding Funds From Elections Office?
The fallout stems from Gilzean’s decision to allocate $4 million in leftover funds, which includes $1.1 million for general purposes and $2.1 million to Valencia College to establish the “Promise of the Future Scholarship” program for minority students in underserved communities. Gilzean defends the initiative, claiming it addresses systemic issues like voter apathy and lack of educational opportunities in low-income neighborhoods.
Commissioners argue the surplus should have either been returned to the county general fund or used to bolster the November elections.
Comptroller Phil Diamond has publicly accused Gilzean of withholding financial transparency, particularly regarding the $1.1 million.
However, Gilzean’s team rebutted this claim, releasing an email confirming that the requested records were sent to the Comptroller’s office a day before the public vote to cut funding.
Documents and donuts, both from 12/02/2024, are waiting for you at our office @OCFLMayor@occompt pic.twitter.com/bmCnOEAfJQ
— Orange County, FL SOE (@OCFElections) December 4, 2024
Care to correct the record, Mr. Mayor? @OCFLMayor @occompt pic.twitter.com/RytuuGHse2
— Orange County, FL SOE (@OCFElections) December 3, 2024
Scholarship’s Impact on Minority Communities
The scholarship program, aimed at Jones and Evans High School graduates and other select ZIP codes, offers tuition-free opportunities at Valencia College or Orange Technical College. Gilzean emphasized its dual goal: increasing civic engagement among youth and reducing financial barriers to higher education.
“In ZIP codes like the one where Jones High is located, less than 10% of residents vote,” Gilzean explained. “We need to break this cycle. If we can inspire these young people to be lifelong voters while giving them a debt-free path to college, that’s a win for our community.”
Critics, including Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, do not dispute the scholarship’s merit but argue that Gilzean overreached his constitutional authority by reallocating taxpayer dollars without county approval. The controversy has drawn attention to broader questions about the legal powers of constitutional officers in Florida and their fiscal autonomy.
Is Glen Gilzean a Visionary Leader or Overstepping Authority? Orange County Elections Scholarship Debate
Who Is Glen Gilzean?
A seasoned leader, Gilzean has a rich history of community advocacy. From serving as CEO of the Central Florida Urban League to chairing the Florida Commission on Ethics, his career is marked by initiatives focused on education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Programs like “Coffee with a Cop” and partnerships with the Small Business Administration highlight his commitment to minority empowerment.
Gilzean’s supporters argue that his actions reflect his lifelong mission to uplift disadvantaged communities, calling him a “community champion.” His detractors, however, claim that his recent decisions, while noble in intent, may violate procedural and legal standards.
Governor Jeb Bush (1999–2007)
- Role: Worked for the Florida Department of Education during the last year of Bush’s term.
- Contribution: Engaged in education-related policy initiatives.
Governor Rick Scott (2011–2019)
- Appointments:
- Member, Pinellas County School Board (to fill a vacancy until the term ended).
- Trustee, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees.
- Member, Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.
- Contributions: Advocated for education reforms and judicial appointments in Central Florida.
Governor Ron DeSantis (2019–present)
- Appointments:
- Florida Commission on Ethics (2019): Oversaw ethics compliance for public officials.
- Member, Statewide Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census.
- Member, Reopen Florida Task Force (post-COVID-19 lockdowns): Advocated for at-risk youth and economic recovery.
- Chairman, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group: Focused on reducing recidivism among youth.
- Chairman, Florida Commission on Ethics (reappointment).
- District Administrator for Disney World’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board (2023).
- Orange County Supervisor of Elections (appointment following the prior supervisor’s retirement, 2024).
Leadership and Impact
- Model Advocacies: Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship (“Three E’s”) to address generational poverty.
- Community Initiatives: Programs like “Coffee with a Cop” for fostering trust between Black youth and law enforcement.
- Economic Partnerships: Signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the SBA for Opportunity Zones in Orlando.
Legal Authority and Responsibility
The dispute raises a pivotal legal question: Do constitutional officers like the Supervisor of Elections have the authority to independently reallocate budget surplus funds? County attorneys are currently exploring a potential lawsuit to recover the funds, which Gilzean maintains were legally allocated.
For now, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners faces scrutiny over its decision to cut off Gilzean’s funding, with community leaders urging a resolution that prioritizes the needs of minority students and voters.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN) – The King family held a pregame press conference during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints game in Tampa to announce a new community service initiative.
https://www.facebook.com/FloridaNationalNews/videos/575373672080951
Florida National News reporter J. Willie David III asked Martin Luther King III for his thoughts on President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
King emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “The President has expressed his desire to bring America together. To achieve this, he must actively reach out to those who did not support him.”
Tampa Bay, Florida, USA, January 5, 2025, New Orleans Saints face Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)
The King family shared its community service initiative the media.
Realize the Dream is a collaboration between the Martin Luther King III Foundation and NGOs across the country to reach the ambitious goal of 100 million hours of service by 2029, the 100th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday.
Florida National News was unsuccessful in obtaining a comment after reaching out to the Trump-Vance Transition team
Politics
Puerto Rican Heritage Network Pays Tribute to Jimmy Carter’s Legacy, Latino Inclusion and Humanitarian Impact
ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales, President and CEO of the Puerto Rican Heritage Network, expressed her sorrow at the passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. In a heartfelt statement, Morales celebrated Carter’s unwavering dedication to justice, human dignity, and inclusion, highlighting his historic contributions to the Hispanic community.
“We are profoundly heartbroken by the passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter,” said Morales. “He was a transformative leader whose steadfast commitment to justice, human dignity, and compassion reshaped the moral fabric of our nation. President Carter’s unwavering principles defined his legacy—integrity, decency, and humility guided every moment of his extraordinary public service. His bold vision and relentless pursuit of equality and human rights will forever inspire generations to build a more just and compassionate world.”
Carter’s legacy as a champion of Hispanic inclusion was particularly noteworthy. During his presidency, he appointed a significant number of Latinos to key positions in his administration, a groundbreaking move at the time:
- Graciela Olivarez: Director of the Community Services Administration and the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in the Carter administration.
- Arabella Martinez: Headed the Office of Human Development Services within the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
- Alex Mercure: Served in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Esteban Torres: U.S. Representative to UNESCO and later head of the first White House Office of Hispanic Affairs.
Carter also solidified his commitment to the Hispanic community through Proclamation 4516 in 1977, officially designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. This act reinforced the nation’s recognition of Hispanic contributions and heritage.
Morales further stated:
“President Carter’s legacy is one of inclusion, compassion, and humanity. His groundbreaking work for the Hispanic community and his tireless efforts to uplift others inspire us to continue the work of equity and justice. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the countless individuals touched by his leadership.”
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Carter was a champion of justice, integrity, and human dignity.
- His administration set historic milestones in Hispanic representation.
- Appointed Graciela Olivarez, the highest-ranking Hispanic woman in his administration.
- Created the first-ever White House Office of Hispanic Affairs under Esteban Torres.
- Issued Proclamation 4516 in 1977, establishing National Hispanic Heritage Week.
- Carter’s post-presidential humanitarian efforts remain iconic.
US NATIONAL NEWS21 hours agoDiamond and Silk’s Unwavering Trump Support Lives On Amid Historic MLK Day Inauguration
South Florida News1 day agoAlina Garcia to Be Sworn In by US Senator Rick Scott as Miami-Dade’s First Constitutionally Elected Supervisor of Elections
Opinions2 days agoOPINION: Puerto Rican Political Power in Florida Faces Decline Post-2024 Losses
