Virginia Whittington – Ms. Transportation
- Details
- Category: Politics
- Published: Friday, 15 August 2014 17:23
- 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; Derrick `Shine' Wallace – Mr. Personality; and Roberta F. Walton – Tiffany's Aide. Today we get to the last candidate in alphabetical order, Virginia Whittington – Ms. Transportation.
Virginia Whittington – Ms. Transportation
Virginia L.Whittingtonis the director of theregional transportation planning agency for Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. In this capacity, Whittingtonis responsible for overseeing board services, regional partnerships, and all aspects of communityoutreach for transportation. She is the staff liaison to several advisory committeesincluding the MetroPlan Orlando Municipal Advisory Committee, the Central Florida RegionalTransportation Funding Task Force, the Central Florida MPO
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Alliance, and the Florida UrbanTransportation Coalition.
Whittington is transportation.
This is the rap on Whittington. Is she is running to represent the people or is she running as the mouth piece and rubber-stamp for the transportation planning agency?
Granted, transportation is important and a vital aspect of growth. And transportation is vital to the residents of District 6. But do we need a spokesperson for the regional transportation agency representing the residents of District 6? Many people would rather have a commissioner with authority over the transportation agency and not the other way around.
Whittington is an Orlando native. She is an ordained church elder and a proud graduate of Jones High. Whittington received both her Bachelor's andMaster's degrees from the University of Central Florida. Thus it is hard to say she doesn't have a heart for her community.
Yet the golden rule can turn heads and move hearts. Even Whittington's community service efforts reek of transportation. She lists them: the Orange County League of Women Voters Transportation Committee and the Central Florida Chapter of Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS).
Even in light of this concern, Whittington pushes forward with her transportation message. Her response, "I believe major strides can be made in addressing our concerns by enhanced transportation options."
To be fair Whittington speaks of other issues, but she turns every dime on transportation. "Enhanced transportation options, particularly transit, continues to challenge the quality of life of District 6 residents," she says. "By increasing headways on transit routes, riders will be able to get to work, school, shopping and medical appointments without sacrificing quality time with their families."
To this effort, Whittington envisions working to ensure investments are made in transportation including working to identify a dedicated source of transportation funding.
Whittington attempts to round out her transportation message with ideas of sustainable neighborhoods.
Sustainable neighborhoods she says, "are strong neighborhoods that are economically vibrant, socially equitable, environmentally healthy, and safe." Likewise she points to Small Business & Economic Development and gives nice platitudes about both of them, as well.
If the voter didn't know any better, he or she would think these issues are unrelated to transportation. But to those who know, these issues are extensions of regional transportation planning.
Whittington even admits, "There is very little room for growth in District 6. Therefore, the best alternative is redevelopment." Can we say gentrification? She admits, "I will help position District 6 as a viable option for businesses that choose to relocate to Central Florida."
That explains her strong support for Walmart. Whittington was instrumental in bringing this 'big box' store to a District 6 neighborhood that caused many small black businesses to close. It appears that Virginia Whittington actions does not truly support her words.
This kind of planning could go either way. It can enhance a community or it can replace a community. The indicator of which way this will go is the key word – transportation.
Throughout America in 1956, The Dwight D. Eisenhower National Highway System began to lay ribbons of concrete across America. When those ribbons of concrete landed in cities, they cut right through black communities. This was the mother of transportation schemes.
To pacify black residents they came up with the term `Urban Renewal'. But soon residents begin to realize that Urban Renewal was nothing more than Negro removal. So, we must always be very careful about the ideas of transportation and transportation schemes.
It is good to have transportation schemes, but it is not wise to have a transportation employee on the county commissioner that oversees the various transportation entities. Remember, the golden rule dictates that an employee will always side with the boss, even against the wishes of her own people.
That is the rap on Virginia Whittington and her patent responses.
Personal Note: it has been a pleasure reviewing these fine candidates. It takes a special kind of person to put him or herself out before the public and face ridicule for their public and personal lives. I am mindful of what President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at best know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
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Dr. Barbara Jenkins, 'Kat' Gordon and 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 Black schools in District 5 and District 6. Save Jones High and save our community by denying the half penny tax extension. |