Roberta F. Walton – Tiffany's Aide
- Details
- Category: Politics
- Published: Wednesday, 13 August 2014 16:03
- 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
In a series of six reports 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 his or her patent responses to what people are saying. I will review the candidates in alphabetical order. I have done Lawanna Gelzer - The Perennial Candidate, Homer Hartage - The Wannabe Comeback Kid, Gary Siplin's Girl Friday – Victoria and Derrick `Shine' Wallace – Mr. Personality. Today, it is breakfast at Tiffany's with her Aide Roberta F. Walton.
Roberta F. Walton – Tiffany's Aide.
Roberta F. Walton is a native of Panama City, Florida. She has a degree in Social Work from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Walton, an attorney, has been County Commissioner Tiffany Moore-Russell's aide for the past seven years.
This accolade is also her big rap. Her task is to spin a tale of being her own person while she is yet tied to Moore-Russell. Walton and Moore-Russell are so tied together that the two practiced law together as advocates with Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida.
People are saying that she must find her own voice. She must separate herself from her boss and assure
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voters she can walk on her own.
All of this in light of the fact that her boss, Tiffany Moore Russell, is an active candidate for Orange County Clerk of the Courts. As Moore-Russell runs her own race, she can't really lend too much support to Walton. Moore-Russell needs voters that may not support Walton. And, Walton needs voters that may not support Moore-Russell. The two long-time friends and candidates have a unique dilemma.
It seems Walton doesn't want to separate her self from Moore-Russell. Her list of accomplishments is a laundry list of things done under Moore-Russell's tenure. However, one has to recognize the fact that Walton has gathered valuable experience during her time as Moore-Russell's Aide.
This is not that unusual of a situation. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey separated himself for President Johnson and the war in Vietnam a little too late to beat Richard Nixon in 1968. And Vice President Al Gore separated himself too much from President Clinton and lost to George W., in 2000.
Moore-Russell has had to be very careful in introducing Walton to her donors. This would have given Walton a significant advantage. But Moore-Russell had to look out for herself in her own tough county-wide race. Besides, donors only have so much money to give; and they also may have other allegiance in the District 6 race.
Walton has to figure out this dilemma in the waning days of this election.
Walton's response to all of this is, "It's no secret that Commissioner Moore-Russell and I are friends and I applaud her for what she has been able to do. I think she has done a great job. She brought respect back to that seat."
But she also understands the down side of the relationship. "Certainly, I'm being scrutinized because of her platform and her administration, but I'd like to go on the record and say I am a first time candidate and I have never, ever run for county commissioner before. I did the best that I could possibly do in my role as a district aide."
In an effort to stand on her own, Walton states, "I'm skilled about the issues and I would say experienced, regarding the issues of the people who live and reside in District 6. I also know how to get the resources needed and literally direct them to the needs of the people. And quite frankly, that is what distinguishes me from my competitors."
Others say her platform is basically a retread of Moore-Russell's. But Walton contends, "I basically put forth my entire platform and I did it all by myself. My entire platform is based entirely on everything I've heard the people say over the course of the last seven years. My entire platform is built on that." Her slogan is, "A leader who listens."
The question remains does it distinguish her enough from Moore-Russell. To some that is a good thing, to others they want to see an independent Walton. The people want an independent commissioner who is more concerned about the residents of District 6 and not the 59 million tourists who come to Orlando annually.
Her patent response is, "the residents are correct in stating that we are the number one tourist destination in the nation. My message to the people would be resources. The leadership has spent much time building the brand, now it's time to transition to capitalizing off of the brand. I have to communicate to the people what's happening, so they can benefit."
Granted, she is talking the talk. But the question is: is she going to be her own person or a continuation of Moore-Russell's administration? She is giving every indication that she wants to be her own boss, but only time will tell.
That is the rap on Roberta F. Walton and her patent response. Finally, tomorrow we get to the last candidate in alphabetical order, Virginia Whittington – Ms. Transportation.
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School Board lead attorney Woody Rodriquez, signed a contract with the NAACP which said that the board would not close Richmond Heights Elementary. Then he illegally advised school board members that they COULD vote to close Richmond Heights. Then Kat Gordon and Dr. Jenkins voted to transfer over 2 millions dollars away from Jones High every year, setting it up for failure. Save Jones High School. Vote NO on the half penny sales tax extension. |