VoxPopuli
@voxpopuliworange.bsky.social
Covering government, politics and social justice issues in West Orange County, Florida.
@mackoxenden.bsky.social Sorry to hear what happened in Sarasota. I run a small but respected digital news nonprofit in West Orange County and I'm looking for freelance reporters to cover local government and politics. Chat?
November 15, 2025 at 2:55 AM
@mackoxenden.bsky.social Sorry to hear what happened in Sarasota. I run a small but respected digital news nonprofit in West Orange County and I'm looking for freelance reporters to cover local government and politics. Chat?
Five doesn't seem like a lot, but after eight months of no arrests, five in three weeks has us wondering what's up.
Ocoee steps up arrests of homeless people for sleeping outside | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
For the first eight months of 2025 the city made no arrests. Then within three weeks in August and September, five men were arrested for unauthorized camping.
www.wintergardenvox.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Five doesn't seem like a lot, but after eight months of no arrests, five in three weeks has us wondering what's up.
This is a huge win for boathouse owners who have literally fought city hall for three years to hold on to their private property. The judge, in his ruling, said there was "nothing equitable or fair about the goal [Windermere] is trying to achieve or the manner in which it is trying to achieve it."
Judge rules Windermere has no rights to Palmer Park boathouses, never had right to lease access to properties | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
Circuit Court Judge John E. Jordan: “It would be grossly inequitable and shock the public conscience if a government body would take away a citizen’s private property rights by virtue of the fact that...
www.wintergardenvox.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:48 PM
This is a huge win for boathouse owners who have literally fought city hall for three years to hold on to their private property. The judge, in his ruling, said there was "nothing equitable or fair about the goal [Windermere] is trying to achieve or the manner in which it is trying to achieve it."
West Orange County, Florida folks! Join us for our second annual benefit concert on Nov. 8 in honor of American Standards like the American Songbook and the First Amendment, featuring some very special guests, including @annaforflorida.bsky.social. Independent local media has never needed you more!
September 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
West Orange County, Florida folks! Join us for our second annual benefit concert on Nov. 8 in honor of American Standards like the American Songbook and the First Amendment, featuring some very special guests, including @annaforflorida.bsky.social. Independent local media has never needed you more!
The legal battle over these century-old boathouses may finally reach a resolution. The boathouse owners say the town has no right of ownership because it doesn't own the lagoon under the structures. The town wants to hold the owners to a 36yo-lease, signed under duress. We'll be in the courtroom.
Boathouse owners seek final decision from judge in Wednesday hearing | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
Owners of the historic boathouses say the case is about who owns the bottom of the lagoon beneath the structures. Windermere insists it's about honoring a 36-year-old lease. It's up to Circuit Court J...
www.wintergardenvox.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:17 AM
The legal battle over these century-old boathouses may finally reach a resolution. The boathouse owners say the town has no right of ownership because it doesn't own the lagoon under the structures. The town wants to hold the owners to a 36yo-lease, signed under duress. We'll be in the courtroom.
Town manager told us she believes the former town manager —terminated earlier this year — is behind the allegations. He's denied any involvement.
Oakland attorney says town manager daughter’s job at engineering firm is no ethics violation | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
An email, circulated to town commissioners and local media, alleged the hire by a town vendor “compromises the integrity of the contracting process.”
www.wintergardenvox.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Town manager told us she believes the former town manager —terminated earlier this year — is behind the allegations. He's denied any involvement.
Orange County, Florida, leads the state in student homelessness — 8,500 students. A rep from Orange County Public Schools told us that they haven't seen levels this high since Hurricane Maria in 2017. 500+ students are in the fairly affluent West Orange County.
550 OCPS students are homeless in Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland, Windermere | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
Federal law protects homeless students. Schools want more struggling families to know that.
www.wintergardenvox.com
May 18, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Orange County, Florida, leads the state in student homelessness — 8,500 students. A rep from Orange County Public Schools told us that they haven't seen levels this high since Hurricane Maria in 2017. 500+ students are in the fairly affluent West Orange County.
"Freedom of the press — do they feel his liberty?"
Senator Cory Booker into his 20th hour filibustering on the Senate floor, calling out Trump's assault on American freedoms.
Senator Cory Booker into his 20th hour filibustering on the Senate floor, calling out Trump's assault on American freedoms.
April 1, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"Freedom of the press — do they feel his liberty?"
Senator Cory Booker into his 20th hour filibustering on the Senate floor, calling out Trump's assault on American freedoms.
Senator Cory Booker into his 20th hour filibustering on the Senate floor, calling out Trump's assault on American freedoms.
The world lost a civil rights icon today. State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson died earlier today after complications from knee surgery. She was a tireless fighter for social justice. Her work on behalf of the Groveland 4 is inspiring. Rest in power, Senator.
February 14, 2025 at 2:21 AM
The world lost a civil rights icon today. State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson died earlier today after complications from knee surgery. She was a tireless fighter for social justice. Her work on behalf of the Groveland 4 is inspiring. Rest in power, Senator.
Reposted by VoxPopuli
For White men: Boys will be boys. Don’t ruin his life.
For Black boys: Zero tolerance for misbehavior. Try him as an adult.
To be racist is to treat White adults like kids and Black kids like adults. To be antiracist is to treat all adults like adults and all kids like kids.
For Black boys: Zero tolerance for misbehavior. Try him as an adult.
To be racist is to treat White adults like kids and Black kids like adults. To be antiracist is to treat all adults like adults and all kids like kids.
February 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
For White men: Boys will be boys. Don’t ruin his life.
For Black boys: Zero tolerance for misbehavior. Try him as an adult.
To be racist is to treat White adults like kids and Black kids like adults. To be antiracist is to treat all adults like adults and all kids like kids.
For Black boys: Zero tolerance for misbehavior. Try him as an adult.
To be racist is to treat White adults like kids and Black kids like adults. To be antiracist is to treat all adults like adults and all kids like kids.
WE BELIEVE!
February 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
WE BELIEVE!
It's municipal election season in West Orange. 5 candidates for Windermere Town Council fielded questions in a forum that was congenial if light on substance. The town raised its millage rate 7.20 percent and not one question about it?
Traffic, leadership, boathouses dominate Windermere candidates forum | Vox Populi - Winter Garden, FL
Light on substance, the forum avoided key issues like the town’s 7.20 percent millage increase, ballooning legal bills.
www.wintergardenvox.com
February 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
It's municipal election season in West Orange. 5 candidates for Windermere Town Council fielded questions in a forum that was congenial if light on substance. The town raised its millage rate 7.20 percent and not one question about it?
Got this as a "breaking news" from MedPage Today. I don't think I've ever seen breaking news from MedPage Today before today. I'm beyond horrified. I hope someone archived the info somewhere.
CDC Purging Its Website After Trump Orders
Agency removed certain pages related to gender issues, HIV, and that said 'pregnant people'
www.medpagetoday.com
January 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Got this as a "breaking news" from MedPage Today. I don't think I've ever seen breaking news from MedPage Today before today. I'm beyond horrified. I hope someone archived the info somewhere.
#GunViolencePrevention office shut down.
Maxwell Frost slams Trump shutdown of Gun Violence Prevention office
The office was created by during the Biden administration and pushed by Orlando’s Gen Z congressman.
www.orlandosentinel.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:37 PM
#GunViolencePrevention office shut down.
The expressions on the Trump family faces, particularly Tiffany, were the most telling. She looked like no one had ever dared challenge her dad. Vance looked disgusted. Trump looked annoyed.
January 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The expressions on the Trump family faces, particularly Tiffany, were the most telling. She looked like no one had ever dared challenge her dad. Vance looked disgusted. Trump looked annoyed.
“Blatantly unconstitutional” says federal judge.
Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to End Birthright Citizenship
A federal judge in Seattle has issued a temporary order halting the president’s plan.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
“Blatantly unconstitutional” says federal judge.
@tampabaytimes.bsky.social reporting that Gov. DeSantis is floating the idea of quashing citizen-led ballot measures -- especially those dealing with abortion. Cuz that's how we roll in the "Free" State of Florida where you are completely free to be muzzled by the state.
DeSantis' proposals for Florida’s ballot initiative process could effectively end it
The governor’s proposals include eliminating signature gathering as it exists now.
www.tampabay.com
January 22, 2025 at 1:39 AM
@tampabaytimes.bsky.social reporting that Gov. DeSantis is floating the idea of quashing citizen-led ballot measures -- especially those dealing with abortion. Cuz that's how we roll in the "Free" State of Florida where you are completely free to be muzzled by the state.
Florida's 2025 legislative session yet to be gaveled in but Orange County GOP Chair Erin Huntley has thrown her hat into the 2026 race for House District 45, challenging Democratic State Rep Leonard Spencer. Spencer unseated GOP Rep Carolina Amesty, charged Thurs with stealing federal Covid loans.
Orange GOP chair announces run for House District 45 | VoxPopuli
www.wintergardenvox.com
January 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Florida's 2025 legislative session yet to be gaveled in but Orange County GOP Chair Erin Huntley has thrown her hat into the 2026 race for House District 45, challenging Democratic State Rep Leonard Spencer. Spencer unseated GOP Rep Carolina Amesty, charged Thurs with stealing federal Covid loans.
First rate reporting by Silas Morgan at @orlandosentinel.com. We have a substantial #Arab and #Muslim community in #OrangeCounty Florida, and it's helpful to remember that identifying all Arabs and Muslims as terrorists is as useful as identifying all priests as pedophiles.
Falsely claiming it received threats, Orlando hotel canceled Arab American conference: DOJ
The hotel agreed to take measures against discriminatory behavior to settle a federal complaint.
www.orlandosentinel.com
January 18, 2025 at 8:53 PM
First rate reporting by Silas Morgan at @orlandosentinel.com. We have a substantial #Arab and #Muslim community in #OrangeCounty Florida, and it's helpful to remember that identifying all Arabs and Muslims as terrorists is as useful as identifying all priests as pedophiles.
The town of Oakland's mayor argued for 53 minutes that emergency ordinances should be reserved for real emergency situations. In a tie vote, the measure failed.
Oakland tanks “emergency" ordinance to establish insurance notification procedures for officials’ ethics complaints
www.wintergardenvox.com
January 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The town of Oakland's mayor argued for 53 minutes that emergency ordinances should be reserved for real emergency situations. In a tie vote, the measure failed.