W EST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oakland
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
We wish you a very happy Fourth of July holiday!
FREE • THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 27
Bible-based school opening in fall Winter Garden Christian Academy, set to open in August, is accepting 64 students in kindergarten through third grade in its first year at Faith Family Community Church in Winter Garden. SEE PAGE 2A.
Meet our elections supervisor
Fond farewell
Ocoee’s Glen Gilzean focuses on transparency as county’s supervisor of elections. PAGE 3A.
YOUR TOWN SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS Do you have a burning question before you head to the polls to vote for your next Orange County commissioner? If so, here’s your chance. The Observer will host the Orange County Commission District 1 Candidate Debate at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, at Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, 7011 Kiran Patel Drive, Winter Garden. In addition to questions from our editorial staff, the debate will include questions from our readers. To submit questions for consideration, email to Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver. com. Please write “District 1 Candidate Debate Question” in the subject line. Limited debate tickets are available. To secure yours, visit orangeobserver.com/debate.
Amy Quesinberry
Lesa Boettcher, who has been at the core of Healthy West Orange for six years, is leaving the organization. Longtime West Orange resident Krista Carter is replacing her as its leader. STORY ON PAGE 4A.
CHARLIE MAE WILDER:
A lifetime in community service
Rural district designation The Lake Avalon Rural Preservation District highlights county’s June decisions. PAGE 6A.
BRAINFOOD Winter Garden hosted a Juneteenth community celebration where the Charlie Mae Wilder Park was dedicated, named after the longtime east Winter Garden resident. PAGE 8A.
The Orange County Library System has opportunities for kids to learn coding skills. 6B.