The North & South West Orange Plan

The North & South West Orange Plan was a united proposal from both Horizon West residents and the historic northern communities and municipalities to ensure fair, focused representation through a purposeful horizontal district split, where Horizon West can be the focus of a Southern district and the more historical communities can focus on their needs. By recognizing the distinct needs, growth patterns, and identities of each region, this plan strengthens both communities and protects municipal interests while allowing for more effective governance.

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Horizon West resident David Terry respectfully disagreed with Commissioner Nicole Wilson’s objections to creating a separate district for Horizon West. Speaking from the heart, he explained why Horizon West must finally stand more on its own, rather than being tied to older incorporated cities like Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Oakland to the North.

September 4, 2025

We are disappointed that the Mid-Decennial Redistricting Advisory Committee is advancing maps that fail to give West Orange County fair representation. At the same time, we recognize the committee was placed in an impossible position. Political pressure from certain commissioners distorted this process and undermined the independence of what was intended to be a citizen-led effort.

Commissioner Nicole Wilson, elected to represent West Orange, outrageously ignored and even mocked the voices of municipalities and communities including Winter Garden, Oakland, Ocoee, and Tildenville, as well as the many residents and stakeholders who pleaded for a map that addresses Horizon West’s growth. Community leaders who have served this region for decades, long before Commissioner Wilson even arrived, were lectured by her on its history and common interests. She offered no true logical reason for dismissing the North & South West Orange Plan, which would have separated Horizon West from the northern municipalities to ensure fairer representation.

Worse still, her influence caused her appointees themselves to compromise their integrity, one falsely claimed to represent Tildenville resident voices and never acknowledged or apologized for the misrepresentation when they showed up rebuking her claims, while another openly admitted he was making decisions as he felt there were political implications to a certain map.

This is why so many residents are frustrated with Orange County government. A citizen-led committee was appointed, only to be pressured and overridden by political interests. West Orange families, neighborhoods, and municipalities deserve representation, not ridicule, and not politicians who manipulate the process to consolidate their own power.

Politicians Win, Residents Lose