MEET THE CANDIDATES: Ages Hart, Ocoee City Commission District 4

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.

Ages Hart

Age: 57

Family: Wife, Dr. Lori Hart; three daughters, Ashley, Brittany and Caitlin

Education: A graduate of Oak Ridge High School; pharmacy degree, Florida A&M University

Relevant experience: Served as Ocoee interim commissioner of District 4. Thirty-six-year career with Walgreens, holding multiple leadership roles, including pharmacy intern, staff pharmacist, pharmaceutical calculations trainer for pharmacy technician certification and shift manager. 

Years as Ocoee resident: 32 years 

Q&A

Why are you the best candidate for the Ocoee City Commission District 4 seat?

My family moved to Orange County in 1927. Over the generations, the history of Orange County has been passed down to me. My wife and I bought our first and second homes in the city of Ocoee and raised our daughters here. I have lived the Ocoee experience, and I understand the needs of Ocoee. District 4 has many people who are new to Ocoee, so my experience can help me to be a better mediator for them than my opponent. I understand the importance of leaders being available for the citizens at all times, not just during election time. I understand the importance of being trustworthy and a role model for our youth to emulate, as well as representing the city of Ocoee with character. I also understand the importance of working as a team, knowing that one commissioner cannot do anything alone. Citizens’ concerns become my concerns, and I will do my due diligence to follow up with them about their concerns.

If elected, what would be your top three issues to address for the city of Ocoee?

1. Public safety. I want to make sure that when our citizens leave their homes, they feel safe and secure. This will require that we are properly staffed in our police and fire departments. I will work with the city staff to recruit and retain the best-qualified candidates.

2. Traffic. Traffic has always been a major concern in District 4. The Clarke Road expansion is nearly completed, but we still have many challenges. The increased growth in Apopka has caused an increase in the traffic that flows through Ocoee. Therefore, I will work with Orange County to ensure that they pay their fair share for the required road improvements.

In addition, I have received numerous calls from residents about speeding and running stop signs in their neighborhoods. As commissioner, I will work with city staff to increase signage for these areas, as well as increase police patrols.

3. Controlling Development. I want to ensure that green spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas are maintained and are key components in our future developments. It is essential that we maintain the natural beauty of our city.

Both you and your opponent have served in this capacity. Why are you the better choice for District 4 residents?

Anyone can go back and look at my time in office and compare it with my opponent’s time. They will see the difference. Many people have thanked me for my preparedness and professionalism during city meetings. The agenda comes out on Friday before the commission meeting, which gives us enough time to ask for clarification before the meeting. I have always been prepared to engage in productive dialogue. My opponent often asks questions that have been addressed in the staff reports, which indicates the lack of preparation on his behalf — as was seen again in the Feb. 18 meeting.

I also represented the city I love, my home, well. I am always promoting the great things  in Ocoee as a testimony that Ocoee is the “Center of Good Living.”

Describe how your faith would influence the way you would perform the duties of this seat.

How my faith would influence my duties as commissioner is summed up in Galatians 5:22-23. These verses talk about the fruit of the spirit — love, joy, peace, meekness and gentleness, to name a few. This helps me to be compassionate and understanding with the people I meet. I strive to meet people where they are and understand their needs. It helps me to remember, although, we may disagree, we are not enemies and it helps me to look for the good in others. My faith has served me well during my 36 years as a pharmacist, and I know my faith will help me serve the citizens of Ocoee well.

How important is your race in terms of representing Ocoee residents on the City Commission?

My desire is to be a good commissioner for District 4, who just so happens to be black. The character, commitment and the integrity of the person — and not the race — that sits on the dais are some of the key factors we should use to evaluate who wins this election.

If elected, will you commit to serving the entire term? Why or why not?

Yes! If elected, I am committed to serving the wonderful citizens of District 4 for the full four years. We need a leader who is committed to serving the full four-year term, not someone who sees this position as a stepping stone for their political career. During a recent candidate forum, my opponent would not commit to finishing a full term if reelected. Just two years ago, he left his seat to run for mayor, only to try and return after losing. Our district deserves better. We deserve a leader who is dedicated to his citizens and not their own ambitions.

How much does the national political climate filter down into local city politics?

It should not. The only time I have seen national politics trickle down to our local politics was earlier this month, when my opponent stated that the three proposed charter amendments on the ballot in the upcoming election were part of Project 2025. That was a false statement. My opponent made this false statement to a church congregation behind a sacred desk in the pulpit.