District debate

On Tuesday, contenders for Orange County's District 5 were scheduled to participate in a political debate hosted by the Goldenrod Chamber of Commerce.

But only one of the three candidates showed up to the only scheduled debate for that district, which spans areas such as Goldenrod, Winter Park and Maitland.

Ted Edwards, former commissioner for District 5, sent a volunteer from his campaign to represent him — Dana Boyte, who said Edwards, who is a lawyer, had to attend a mediation in Tampa.

"He admits that he screwed up," said the former district 5 constituent, who said she's known Edwards for 12 years.

The write-in candidate, Robert Talley, did not respond to the chamber's invitation to the event, which left Doug Kinson, mayor of Maitland, the only candidate physically at the Mayor of Maitland, Doug Kinson was the only candidate who was physically at the political debate hosted by the Goldenrod Chamber of Commercedebate.

"I don't approve of it," said Chamber member Gene Colley, who attended the debate. "If you are running for public office, you shouldn't send someone in your place. Just don't show up if you can't make it."

Despite Edwards' lack of attendance, the show went on.

Both candidates agreed that the biggest issues in the Goldenrod area are traffic, due in large part to nearby Full Sail University, and crime.

They also said that incentivizing developers to redevelop the Goldenrod area is the only way to strengthen its economy.

Other countywide issues conjured differences in opinion among the candidates. Below are the questions proposed to the candidates during the debate:

The Rybolt Park development, which proposed 5,000 residential and commercial units east of the Econlockhatchee River, was voted down by the County Commission but will likely be brought up again in the next term. What is your position?

Kinson: "I have never been in support of a project that does not take into consideration the impact on roads, schools, services and the environment. Unless a project can stand that test, it will not get my vote."

Boyte: "The Rybolt property is a big old mess. Ted believes we should not go beyond the urban service area, and he has been an advocate for environmental protection so in regard to Rybolt that would be a big, fat no."

Orange County plans to spend $1.1 billion on the new venues — the new Amway Center, the new Performing Arts Center and the Citrus Bowl renovations. What is your stance and would you have supported it?

Boyte: "Generally speaking, Ted supports the venues, as we all should. The Magic got a sweetheart deal but the others should have gone first, especially the Performing Arts Center. Then the Magic should have ponied up more of their own money."

Kinson: "We probably would not see the Magic here today, or all of the public gyms they've built, if it were not for the new arena. In terms of how things should have progressed, the Performing Arts Center stands out on its own in respect to how its funding plan benefits the taxpayer."

Orange County District 5 candidate Ted EdwardsSeveral parts of Orange County will not be directly served by the proposed SunRail and District 5 is one of them. How do you feel about that?

Kinson: "I am a big supporter of SunRail but there is a question of a dedicated funding source in the long run. We must discuss feeder lines from Lynx. We will find a solution. … It takes visioning and leadership to service those outlying areas."

Boyte: "Ted did not support light rail in the beginning but now he does support SunRail and creating feeder lines. Ted was the chairman of Metropolitan Planning Operation and so he has that leadership and experience."

When working with the tight budgets in today's economy, how do you prioritize taxpayer dollars?

Boyte: "It will take a regional approach and we have to work with other municipal leaders to make sure we move forward and use taxpayer dollars wisely."

Kinson: "There are pots of money out there and there are willing partners to help move capital projects forward. It's tougher in Orange County to break into those departments (than it is in smaller municipalities such as Maitland) and it will be critical to work with those department heads."