Nonpartisan Candidate for Ocoee City Commission, District 4
Education: 1982 Associate Degree Computer Science Orange County Community College NY
Occupation: Business Systems Analyst
Home: Ocoee
Age: 60
Past Political/Civic Experience: Commissioner District 4 2006 – Present; Ocoee EAR Committee 1998; Citizens Advisory Council Ocoee Police Department 2000 – 2006; Planning and Zoning Board 2003 – 2006 Sawmill HOA Board 1991 - 2006
Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009073384435&fref=ts
Email: ElectJoelKeller@gmail.com
Q: What is your top priority if elected?
Moving forward with growth of our 429 Corridor and Downtown areas
Q: What makes you the best candidate in the race?
Proven record of fighting for the citizens and getting things done. Fought to keep Evans High School from moving. Fought to keep the Garbage Transfer Station off McCormack Road. Fought to keep the Ocoee Fire Department Since I have been on the commission: The CRA was put in place, Fire Department went to Advanced Life Support, New Police Headquarters, Implosion of the Colony Hotel at 50 and McGuire, Traffic Light at Ocoee Hills, Building of the Lakeshore Center, City Visioning plan for Downtown and the 429 Corridor
Q: Please list important issues and briefly state your position on those issues.
Moving Forward with the visioning plan – Now that we have a plan in place we need to start working it. First by getting the infrastructure in place. We need to have sewer in the downtown area to attract businesses. Then by actively pursuing the businesses to make Ocoee their home. Hiring an Economic Development Director – We need a certified Economic Development Director to pursue businesses for the 429 Corridor, the Downtown area, and the CRA. Keep the Ocoee Fire and Police Departments in Ocoee. One of the most important things a city can do is keep its citizens safe. By having our own Fire and Police Departments they can be more pro active . They have a feeling of attachment to the city and take a more active role on their free time as well as their on duty time in promoting the city.
Q: How can you improve Ocoee?
By moving forward with the plans for the growth of the 429 Corridor and the Downtown Area as well as the CRA we can improve the city. By growing these areas we can get more businesses, including restaurants, into the Ocoee area. This will strengthen our overall tax base keeping residential rates lower as well as bringing new jobs for our residents. We are the fastest growing city in a three county area according to the 2014 population estimates released by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It is time to grow the business side of our city as well. This way we can keep improving Ocoee and keep it "The Center of Good Living".
Q: If you wish to address some issue not listed above, I invite you to submit a brief statement on that matter.