A video reply of the Orange County District 1 Commissioner debate between Nicole Wilson and Austin Arthur is now available for viewing. Write-in candidate Stephen Davis did not participate. Early voting has started with nearby locations at Tibet-Butler Preserve and Orange County National Golf Club. Election day for District 1 Commissioner is August 20.

Questions asked during the debate include:

• The District 1 Commissioner role is one voice on the seven-member Orange County Commission. Explain how you will work with the six other commissioners to represent the people of District 1 and ensure their voices are represented.
• Commissioner Wilson: Coming to the end of your first term on the County Commission, which of your accomplishments are you most proud, and what remains to be accomplished if you are elected to another term?
• Austin Arthur: You have had a quick rise from local businessman to having your face on pretty much every street corner in West Orange. Simple question: Why did you decide to run for office?
• If you are elected, how will you ensure constituents will be able to meet with you when they have a concern?
• Commissioner Wilson: Earlier this month, you were supposed to host a community meeting about Special Hearts Farm. The week of the meeting, you canceled it. A resident wrote an Op-Ed in the Orange Observer in which he suggested you were delaying the process for this proposal so you would not have to render a decision before the August 20 election. What is your response?
• Given what you know of the Special Hearts Farm proposal, if the vote were held today, how would you vote and why?
• Austin Arthur: In June, former Orange County Fire Rescue battalion chief Stephen Davis announced his candidacy as a write-in candidate. His candidacy moved this election to the August 20th primary ballot. Before this, Davis was a supporter of your campaign. What did you know about Davis’ intentions before his announcement, and what involvement did you or your campaign have in that decision?
• Austin Arthur: A criticism during your campaign has been your suggested ties with former Orange County Commission Scott Boyd. What has been his involvement in your campaign, and what is your response to this criticism?
• Commissioner Wilson: In recent weeks, this election has turned ugly – with much published on social media and other websites about your opponent. One of the people responsible for this content claims to be a supporter of yours. Please comment on these actions and share your knowledge of and relationship to the person in question.
• Austin Arthur: The people publishing this information about you say your history of arrests and past recorded issues with law enforcement make you unfit for this office. How do you respond to this?
• In March, the Orange County Commission voted to send Disney’s proposed affordable-housing project the state for review. Ultimately, the project will come back to the County Commission for a final vote. What is your opinion on this project, and if had to decide today, how would you vote?
• Austin Arthur: You have a background as a firefighter, paramedic and as an entrepreneur. You do not have a background in planning, development, land code, zoning, etc. If elected, how much of a learning curve do you anticipate, and how can you ensure residents you can render decisions that are best for our community?
• Commissioner Wilson: You have been one of the most outspoken defenders of the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area. As District 1 commissioner, why have you devoted so much time to this cause rather than those in the district?
• What are your political career aspirations beyond the Orange County Commission?
• Austin Arthur: Your campaign donors include a variety of companies in the land development and real-estate industries. Some say you are being “bought” – meaning that those who are financially supporting your campaign will expect you to vote a certain way if you’re elected. Please respond to these criticisms.
• Evaluate the infrastructure in Horizon West. In particular, comment on the unfinished east-west roads that connect Orange County and Lake County.
• Commissioner Wilson: At the June 18th County Commission meeting, Chuck Whittall said his office tried three times to schedule a meeting with you but was not successful. You called that assertion “bizarre.” However, in that same meeting, District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla said this has been an ongoing problem. Why has this been an issue during your term? And if reelected, how can you assure District 1 residents that their concerns will be relayed to developers if those developers can’t schedule meetings with you?
• What are three things you admire about your opponent?

The debated occurred on July 31 in Horizon West at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine.