Shaniqua "Shan" Rose began her tenure as Orlando's new District 5 city commissioner after being sworn in during a ceremony on Monday, June 24, stepping into a role left vacant amid a cloud of controversy. Rose took the oath of office in the Orlando City Council Chambers at 10 a.m., with city officials including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer present to witness the administrative ritual that solidifies her commitment to serve the residents and businesses of District 5.
After scoring a victory over former state Rep. Travaris McCurdy with more than 1,000 votes to McCurdy's 856, Rose took to the rostrum in a climate of renewal and restitution, promising engagement and revival for a community that recently saw its former commissioner, Regina Hill, tangled in allegations of elder abuse which led to her suspension by Governor Ron DeSantis. Rose's win, representing 54% of the turnout, came after a rip-roaring runoff that followed an initial special election where no clear victor emerged, according to Spectrum News 13 and WESH.
Hill's arrest and the charges against her, which include stealing thousands from a 96-year-old woman, left a leadership vacuum in a district now looking toward Rose for direction and decisiveness; this interim commissioner role extends until either Hill's legal troubles are concluded or her term's scheduled cessation in January 2026. Rose's time in office commenced promptly with her attendance at an Orlando City Council meeting later the same day of her swearing-in, signaling her readiness to immerse herself in the work ahead.
Reflecting on her new responsibilities, Rose has articulated a vision for "economic thrives" and tackling the intertwined issues of affordable housing, safety, and homelessness – in a statement obtained by Spectrum News 13, she declared, "We have a lot to make sure that we address affordable housing, safety, homeless and we’re going to work together to make this the best District 5 in the city of Orlando possible" Rose further detailed plans for a community prayer breakfast and town hall meetings, which she believes will forge stronger connections between her office and the constituents she serves, echoing the participatory ethos that often underscores local governance, despite the challenges that accompany it, and which demand a rigorous and holistic approach to public service, imbued with the spirit of collaboration.
With the ceremonial chapter behind her and the dawn of active stewardship ahead, Rose's journey as District 5's commissioner is one to watch. It's a chapter in Orlando's civic narrative defined by the possibility of progress and the weight of expectation resting on the shoulders of a former city hall employee turned elected official, who has transitioned from behind-the-scenes roles to the very forefront of the cityscape. For ongoing updates on Commissioner Rose's initiatives and the evolving story in District 5, keep an eye on local reporting from Spectrum News 13 and Your Community Paper.
