Kissimmee said goodbye to Mayor Jim Swan after 10 years and welcomed in new Mayor Jose Alvarez. He’s just one of the many faces taking leadership roles in Osceola politics.
- New Mayor Jose Alvarez, Commissioners Olga Gonzalez and Angela Eady, sworn in
- Alvarez is the first Hispanic to serve as the city's mayor, a reflection of the shifting demographics
- Alvarez said one priority is getting families out of US 192 hotels
It was a bittersweet meeting at City Hall Tuesday, filled with applause, laughter and tears.
“[I am] thankful that there's somebody with some real quality that is replacing me,” said Jim Swan, former mayor for the city of Kissimmee.
Former City Commissioner Jose Alvarez will now take Jim Swan’s spot who has been in local politics since 1982. Alvarez will be the first Hispanic to serve as the city’s mayor.
“It’s a very proud, diverse city, so the community represents that,” Alvarez said. “We’re all here to work with everyone, so we want to make sure we represent everyone that lives in this city.”
Alvarez said one of his priorities is to make sure that in the next year the commission starts working on getting families out of the hotels along US 192.
Angela Eady, a long-time advocate, was sworn in as commissioner for seat three. She’s only the second African-American to serve as commissioner in the last 30 years.
“I see the need and in order to have that need within me filled, I needed to step out and make a difference,” Eady said.
Olga Gonzalez, who runs the nonprofit organization Church And Community Assistance, was sworn in as commissioner for seat one.
“I was always on the outside looking in. And I decided it was time I worked from the inside looking out,” Gonzalez said.
All three newly-elected officials say they’re proud to be part of such a diverse board.