Town of Oakland swears in new commissioners

After the town of Oakland’s general election took place March 10, commissioners officially were sworn into the Oakland Town Commission. 

Kris Keller, Yumeko L. Motley and Joseph McMullen took their oaths of office Tuesday, March 24. 

Keller and McMullen will serve four-year terms. 

“It’s just been my great honor to serve the residents, and I look forward to continuing to do so with thoughtful and fiscally responsible decision-making,” Keller said. 

Keller was appointed commissioner in 2025 after former commissioner Rick Polland stepped down. This will mark her first full term as a commissioner. 

McMullen was elected Seat 4 Commissioner after defeating opponent Anne Fulton, with 308 votes. 

“Thank you for those (who) believed in me and that continue to come alongside me, pray for me and my friends and family,” he said. “Those who did not vote for me, let’s talk. Let’s have a conversation. My cell phone (number) is everywhere; my email is everywhere, I’m here everywhere, so let’s talk.” 

After serving as commissioner for for the past 20 years, McMullen said he is pleased to continue to represent the town and is grateful for all those who voted for him. 

Motley will serve a two-year term, replacing Commissioner Sal Ramos, who stepped down from his seat two years before his four-year term ended. This is her first time as a commissioner. 

“Oh my goodness, I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude this evening,” she said. “I want to say thank you to God first for allowing me to accept this endeavor in His charge to me. … I look forward to working dutifully, faithfully and with integrity for the residents of the town of Oakland.” 

Mayor Shane Taylor congratulated the elected commissioners and said he is confident they will serve the town and its residents with thoughtfulness, collaboration and respect. 

“Public service is an honor and a responsibility,” Taylor said. “The decisions we make will shape the future of our town.” 

Ramos also was recognized for his commitment to serving the town of Oakland since 2015. 

Taylor recognized Ramos for his work to enhance residents’ quality of life, promote the well-being of the community and support of responsible growth. 

“The town of Oakland is grateful for Commissioner Ramos’ years of dedicated service and commitment to making the community a better place to live, work and thrive,” he said. 

Ramos congratulated Keller, Motley and McMullen  and thanked the commission, the residents, family, friends and God for the opportunity to serve Oakland. 

“The wisdom and leadership you guys have shared with me, I’m going to carry it for a long time,” he said. “It helped me a lot here.” 

Commercial opportunities 

Taylor said a cell tower and telecom ordinance soon will be brought to the commission. 

“Cell tower reception here is absolutely horrible,” he said. 

Once the ordinance is drafted, bids for operator carriers will be solicited. 

Taylor said there are several large companies that handle and build cell towers, but they must allow the tower to go on town-owned land. 

This would allow the town to receive revenue off leased land as well as from the carriers themselves, he said. 

“In some instances, this could be a very big win for the town,” he said. 

Beyond cell towers, the town also is working on a Tubb Street Overlay ordinance to provide more economic opportunities. 

“It would help us establish a main street off (State Road) 50 all the way up to the town center,” Taylor said. “It would establish commercial opportunities, a corridor that will reflect our charm of our town center.” 

It would allow a mix of uses including retail, restaurants, offices and residential. 

“As of right now, there’s 19 potential developments that would be coming into (S.R.) 50 … and they’re in various stages,” he said.

Taylor reminded the town’s residents he will not allow gas stations, car dealerships, car washes, etc., to preserve the town’s charm. 

“We’re being very meticulous about what we are allowing in town, and it’s got to be something that caters to the residents,” he said. 

He said these commercial opportunities could help the town “tip the scales” in its favor, in case homestead property tax reforms do take place. 

Taylor also spoke about creating a food truck ordinance to manage food trucks that want to operate in the town. 

“I’m not opposed to food trucks,” he said. “Food trucks are awesome, but what I don’t want to see is just food trucks popping up everywhere. … What you don’t want is to have so much of the food trucks in town that it takes away from the brick and mortars that could potentially come in.” 

He said while the town is not allowed to ban food trucks, it can enforce an ordinance to facilitate management. 

“It will be a great asset if it’s in certain areas of the town,” Taylor said. 

IN OTHER NEWS

• Mayor Shane Taylor proclaimed April Water Conservation Month, as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and April 10 will be considered Wear Blue Day. 
• The Oakland Town Commission unanimously voted to keep Vice Mayor Michael Satterfield in the role. 
• The Oakland Police Department acquired a new police cruiser. It has a white base rather than a black one and is colorful. Grants and Communication Manager Kelly Sims designed it. Police Chief Darron Esan said the cruiser includes the latest technology in safety equipment to reduce crashes. 
• Commissioner Kris Keller will serve as the town’s representative on the Metro Plan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee. 
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• The road resurfacing project of Millholland Way, Vandermeer Avenue, Starr and Demens streets will be revisited during a future commission meeting after Hubbard Orlando Paving Project Manager Courtney Court said the existing base is in bad shape.