ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Former Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill — ousted from office after a felony indictment — is vying for her old District 5 seat.
She’s up against her successor, current Commissioner Shan Rose, and veteran community activist Lawanna Gelzer. Two of the candidates faced off in a heated debate at the John H. Jackson Center in Parramore.
During the event, Hill took aim at her opponent, saying, “Thank you very much, Interim Commissioner Rose, but your services are no longer needed.”
Dozens packed the room to hear Hill and Gelzer discuss key issues facing the community. Gelzer told the audience, “I believe if you continue to give money to something that is failing us, you will get the same results.”
Hill lost her seat last year when Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended her after she was accused of exploiting an elderly woman and using more than $100,000 of her life savings on personal luxuries and home.
Hill maintains she’s innocent, but Gelzer noted that Hill has yet to face trial, saying, “Count 1 — exploitation of an elderly person or a disabled person… that’s all you got.”
Gelzer, who has worked on environmental and hurricane preparedness projects, is currently using machines funded by a federal EPA grant to test air quality in Parramore. Though she’s been active in the community for years, she has yet to win public office — placing fourth in last year’s special election for the District 5 seat.
Hill, meanwhile, promised to create more opportunities for small businesses if re-elected, saying, “As soon as I get back to City Hall, I’m gonna make sure we put some local small business opportunity programs together, which mimic what Orange County is doing.”
Residents pressed both candidates on infrastructure, code enforcement, rent increases, and community revitalization.
Interim Commissioner Shan Rose — a former city employee who replaced Hill in a special election — missed the debate for the second time.
A representative for Rose showed up but was booed by the crowd.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
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