Mayor Dyer just gave the first state of the city address in Orland on Wednesday morning in front of a packed house at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre and was greeted with a standing ovation. This was the first state of the city address in 4 years since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mayor took the opportunity to address some of the recent laws passed in Florida and took the time to separate Orlando as a city from the rest of Florida’s recent negative reputation, highlighting the city as a place of inclusion and excellence.
Mayor Dyer’s reaffirmation and contrast of Orlando with the rest of Florida, follows Governor Desantis recently championing and passing laws in Florida referred to as the “Bathroom Bill ” and the “Stope WOKE Act”. The new laws have been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, educators and other groups like the NAACP, which went as far as warning marginalized groups not to travel or relocate to Florida at all.
The mayor also applauded Orlando being rated the best city in America to start a business.
“Regardless of what they say about Florida, it doesn’t affect Orlando,’” Dyer said. “We are still that great city that embraces diversity and embraces all.”
Dyer says he prides himself on making Orlando accessible for everyone, no matter their socio-economic status, gender or race. It’s a topic he plans to tackle during Wednesday’s address.
Dyer also spoke about safety and security in cities and schools, fighting crime, hiring more police officers, fighting to help the homeless and finding affordable housing for those in need.
Dyer affirmed the city’s value of character and opportunity, “It doesn’t depend on what you look like, who you love, or where you worship. It depends on effort, merit, and opportunity,” Dyer said.
This story was first reported on by Yahoo!news.
