Nicolette Springer announces she is running for Orlando City Commissioner – District 3 at College Park Gallery June 7. (Photo by Jeremy Williams)
ORLANDO | Criminologist Nicolette Springer announced her candidacy for Orlando City Commissioner – District 3, holding a kick-off event at College Park Gallery June 7.
Springer spoke to dozens of supporters, with the U.S. flag on one side and the rainbow Pride flag on the other, saying she believes that local government should represent all the people who live in a community. She then highlighted specific groups in her speech including small business owners, parents and members of the LGBTQ community.
“If you are part of the LGBTQ community,” Springer, wearing a rainbow ribbon with a pin that read VOTE, said in her speech, “you are loved and you are welcomed and I promised to fight for your equality and your continued protection and to be your voice in our City Beautiful.”
Springer, who has lived in Orlando with her husband for the last 17 years, spoke of key issues that she says she plans to immediately address if elected, including protecting waterways and addressing Orlando’s “terrible pedestrian safety rate.”
“My family lives within walking distance of our two girls’ public schools. My oldest is old enough to bike on our own but it’s not safe,” Springer said. “We are number one in the country right now for pedestrian danger, we average about 300 fatalities a year in pedestrian deaths, and when I am your city commissioner, I plan on addressing that safety issue.”
Springer went on to say that more funds need to be invested into new bike lanes as well as enhance existing bike lanes and crosswalks.
“To be very frank we need to have a public discussion about pedestrian safety, we need to have an education piece that comes out of our city to talk to our residents about what pedestrians safety means and how important it is,” Springer said.
Robert Stuart, District 3’s current commissioner, has represented the district since 2006.
Springer isn’t the only person eyeing to take District 3 from Stuart. Orlando entertainer and owner of Ritzy Rags Wigs & More, Leigh Shannon has made it known that he intends to run for the city commissioner seat as well. Shannon posted to his Facebook page June 7 “Are You Ready for Some New Shoes? Leigh Shannon for District 3 Commissioner,” along with the message “KICK OFF Coming.”
Shannon, who has lived in College Park with his husband for 15 years, moved his wig business to the neighborhood after more than 30 years in the Mill50 District.
Springer highlighted in her announcement that, if elected, she would be the only working mom on the commission.
“We love Orlando’s dedication to diversity, culture and inclusion,” Springer said. “I’m running to be your city commissioner because I want my family to live in a city where we can walk safely, we can bike safely, where we can enjoy our green spaces and where our community is growing and our economy can get to a place where we can all thrive.”
The election for Orlando’s District 3 City Commissioner will be Nov. 2.
