Buddy Dyer's Remarks
April 20, 2005
City Hall

Good Evening.

Today, I stand before you once again as your Mayor.

Today Special Prosecutor, Brad King, dismissed all the charges brought against me and the three other people who were charged in this case. That, resulted in the Governor issuing an order to immediately reinstate me as your Mayor.

Contrary to recent reports this was not the result of a plea bargain or a deal offered by the State Attorney. The only outcome I would accept was that the truth to be told and all charges be dropped.

That has now been done.

This marks the end of allegations and complaints filed by a losing candidate in an election that took place more than 13 months ago. Since then, hundreds of interviews and depositions have been taken from candidates, campaign workers and elderly African -Americans who simply wanted to vote.

The investigation was exhaustive. The findings complete. As I stated from the very start of this ordeal, no actions taken by me, my campaign or any of my campaign workers were in any way illegal, unethical or wrong. The Prosecutor, Mr. King has expressly acknowledged there was no voter fraud of any type and has even commended the work of Ezzie Thomas and others who helped people exercise their fundamental right as citizens to vote. It is time to put this election behind us and focus on our future.

I want to thank Ernest Page for his strength and leadership during this difficult time. We as citizens are lucky that Page was in place to guide our city during these difficult days. And we owe a debt of gratitude to Mayor Frederick for his willingness to step forward and offer himself as a candidate in our city’s time of need.

No visionary could have predicted two years ago when I ran for this office, that our city would face three hurricanes, three budget deficits and the ongoing legal battle over the city election process.

Nor would I have envisioned the tremendous strides we would make in creating the downtown renaissance that other Florida cities are envious of. We have passed a living wage ordinance, funded our capital improvement budget so our children have the community centers and swimming pools they have been promised for generations, made sure our skilled tradesman and craftsman have a level playing field to compete for work, held the line on increasing property taxes in the face of record budget deficits, and created the Pre-K classrooms that I know will make a difference in the lives of our children.

The hurricanes have come and gone. Our community was bent but not broken. For me, the storm of my indictment has passed and I, too, have been bent but not broken.

My conviction and my faith along with my loving family and dedicated supporters have seen me through.

You have supported our efforts with your hearts and you have invited me into your homes because you believe we can make a difference.

We have made great progress in building the great city I asked us all to envision.

We have done our best and I believe we can do better..

You have never argued with the substance of our accomplishments...but some of you have taken exception with our style...and perhaps rightfully so.

Tonight represents a fresh start for this administration with fresh faces and new attitudes being brought to bear on how we conduct business here at City Hall. My goal will be to have a transparent government for the people and by the people.

Prior to addressing you this evening I met with my Cabinet and left them with one clear and fundamental charge that the days of doing things that create the perception of secrecy around City Hall are over. The business of the Dyer administration for the next three years will be done in the sunshine and I will not tolerate anything less from my Cabinet or City Staff. If we accomplish nothing else in the next three years we will accomplish that.

My friends we have some difficult and exciting challenges in the coming weeks that need to be addressed. We will charge head on into finalizing and implementing our plans for Parramore, we will work closely with Mayor Crotty to find a solution to our aging entertainment facilities both at the Centroplex and the Citrus Bowl, we will push to move forward on the development of a new Performing Arts Center and we will double our efforts to work with the University of Central Florida in creating the best digital media center in the country right here in the heart of our city. And we will begin the work of providing our City Commission with a balanced budget for next year.

Both my wife, Karen, and I and our boys cannot begin to express our thanks to those of you who extended your hand in friendship during these difficult days. You will never ever be forgotten.

To those who offered your prayers and support from across this City and throughout this state I also want to say thank you.

Tonight we bring an end to this Chapter in our city’s history.

Tomorrow we move forward.

I ask for your support, your prayers and your faith as we strive to move Orlando down the road of progress in the sunshine that our state is known for.

Thank you.

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