ORLANDO, Fla. – A fiery conversation unfolded Monday at a community meeting after Orlando City Council District 5 candidate Shaniqua Rose showed up unannounced.
Former Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was also at the meeting and recorded the heated exchange on Facebook Live.
During the meeting, Rose made allegations about her opponent, Travaris McCurdy.
“He has kicked in a black woman’s door, and if it’s okay in this community to kick in a black woman’s door, something is wrong,” Rose said during the meeting.
McCurdy posted this statement online: “It is deeply concerning and alarming that someone would go to such great lengths to fabricate stories.”
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People at the community meeting said it was a surprise to see Rose there.
“We did not invite Travaris McCurdy. We did not invite Shan Rose. This was a gathering of community leaders and residents to say: let’s address what’s going on here,” said Rich Black, who lives in the community.
Black said they wanted to send a message to both candidates that they would not engage in dirty politics.
After Rose brought up her opponent, a text message became the center of the conversation.
The text, addressed to McCurdy, said: “A concession within 24 hours could be viewed favorably and we can work positively together in the community. If not, I am requesting a response to this packet within 24 hours before it goes to all voters.”
McCurdy said Rose sent that text to extort him and manipulate voters.
McCurdy’s campaign manager said McCurdy filed a non-emergency report with Orlando Police, including the text sent to him.
“It caused me pause to think that she might do (to) someone that comes to that office in the same manner if she doesn’t get her way. Will she extort the other commissioners? Will she extort the mayor?” Regina Hill said.
Black said this is not how District 5 wants to be represented.
“We do not want to tell people how to vote, but we do feel that we need to have educated voters. And if this is a foretaste of the type of leadership that she is going to offer, we don’t want it,” Black said.
News 6 reached out to Rose for comment but did not receive a response.
After all this, Regina Hill still hopes people get out and vote. She said voter turnout has been very low.
As of Monday night, only 5% of eligible voters have cast a ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Continuing coverage of the election will be available all day tomorrow on air and online.
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