Lawanna Gelzer - The Perennial Candidate
- Details
- Category: Politics
- Published: Wednesday, 06 August 2014 22:51
- Written by Hughey Watson
by Hughey Watson - Political Contributor
A special report to Community Steeple
The Rap on the candidates for Orange County Commissioner District 6
Over the next six days I will lay bear the heart of each candidate in the Orange County Commission District 6 race. I will discuss the rap on each candidate and provide their patent responses to what people are saying. I will review the candidates in alphabetical order, beginning with Lawanna Gelzer.
Lawanna Gelzer - The Perennial Candidate
Ms. Gelzer has the rap of being a perennial candidate. It is hard for one to think of a race she has not run. Never the winner, not even close.
Her last bite at the apple was a run city commission District 6 against Commissioner Samuel B. Ings,
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in 2012. Her gripe then was about Mayor Dyer's connection with Ings concerning absentee ballot requests. "All we want is a fair election," claimed Gelzer. "These ballots, if they are mailed, are tainted."
Unbeknownst to her, Florida law provides that "the supervisor of elections may accept a written or telephonic request for an absentee ballot." And the courts have ruled that "a third party may deliver a completed absentee ballot request by mail or in person."
Unaware of the law, Gelzer asked the governor's office to investigate her claims against Dyer and Ings. Of course, the governor's office did not respond.
Gelzer lost. She only got 779 votes, far less than a third of the votes cast.
Back in 2010, Gelzer ran for the state legislature, District 36. In that race it was rumored that Gelzer enter the race to split the Democratic vote so that the Republican candidate could win.
Lawanna Gelzer, a life-long democrat, ran as an independent so that she would automatically be on the general election ballot. This made for a three way race, the democrat, a republican and Lawanna Gelzer, the independent. The scheme was for her to siphon black votes away from the democrat in hopes that the republican candidate could win.
The plan failed when Gelzer only garnered 971 votes out of nearly 30,000 votes cast.
She denied the claim by stating that "what I am going to do is challenge the democrat incumbent … he is worried because he did not do what he was elected to do." I might add she never challenged the republican candidate. This she never addressed.
If this is true, then Gelzer sold out the community and her democratic roots. I must state that no concrete evidence emerged that a deal was struck between her and the republicans, but her actions were very suspicious. The kind of thing that make you go hummmm.
Also, Gelzer does not understand how policy adversely affects real people. When asked about budget deficits, she advocated implementing User Taxes. She stated, "If you use the product, maybe you can pay some additional taxes."
What she doesn't understand is that User Taxes are the most regressive form of taxing. User Taxes hit poor people much harder than wealthy people. When you are poor, every penny counts. Even today the middle-class is counting every penny.
Think of buying gas, a Gelzer tax would make the cost of gas go up. Think of those trips to Walmart or Target, a Gelzer tax would make you pay more at the checkout counter. Her plan is to tax the poor while she says nothing about wealthy businesses that are paying less than their fair share. A point President Obama constantly heralds.
Granted, Gelzer's heart might be in the right place, but her knowledge and understanding of issues are lacking at best; and her shoot from the hip solutions are dangerous if enacted.
Related: Lawanna The Piranha:Lawanna Gelzer 'Jumps' In Orange County Commissioner District 6 Race
Beverly Burgess Is Queen Crab In The Bucket
These two raps alone makes one wonder if Gelzer is for the people or is she simply out for Gelzer. And, even if you conclude she is for the people, then her lack of political fidelity and policy knowledge combined are diabolical.
The latest and biggest rap against Lawanna Gelzer is her unholy alliance with Cynthia Harris and Beverly Burgess. These three in some circles are being referred to as the Orlando Three Stooges.
Cynthia Harris ran for Orlando City District 5 and came in third in a three way race. Yet, she still holds on to the idea that somehow the governor is going to remove newly elected Commissioner Regina Hill because – well she doesn't really know why. But Harris thinks that if she keeps throwing mud at Commissioner Hill that somehow some of it will stick. Meanwhile, every one can see that Cynthia Harris' hands and intentions are dirty.
Their other compatriot, Beverly `Crabs-in-the-Bucket' Burgess is still hoping that the FDLE will swoop in on Commissioner Hill because she claimed that the commissioner insulted her. Just think, a 180 pound woman with a criminal violence arrest record claims she is afraid of a 110 pound commissioner. Logic has no reason with her.
Word on the street is that Lawanna Gelzer is the mastermind behind the trio's unrelenting attacks against Commissioner Hill. When you see Gelzer, one of the other two is near by, if not both. Gelzer has not addressed this issue.
It would seem to rational mind that the election is over. If you are really for the people and want District 5 to prosper, then you work with Commissioner Hill. She hit the ground running, published a 100 days plan, has already acted on many of her promises and by all account has the support of the community.
And what does Gelzer have to say about her campaign, "I am the best candidate and my public service record speaks for itself. Go to my website, lawannagelzer.com, or you can give me a call. I am willing to come and speak to anybody who wants to invite me. I believe in public service. I am really the only community activist who is running for this seat."
"I do have a financial and economics background. I am back in school so I know what it is like returning for retraining. I am learning how to operate in the construction business and about sustainable living–green living. What I am learning now, I am going to bring that to the community." "I want people to vote for Gelzer because if you look at my opponents public records and look at what I have accomplished in the community, you would know that I am the best candidate."
That is the rap on Lawanna Gelzer and her patent response.
Next up: Homer L. Hartage - the comeback kid. Hartage was the first African American male to serve on the Orange County Commission.
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The OCPS Board voted to transfer over 2 million dollars away from Jones High School during school year 2013-2014. Over the last 10 years, OCPS Board has effectively transferred over 30 million dollars away from District 6 County schools. Save Jones High and save our community by denying the half penny tax extension. |