When the man tapped by President Elect George W. Bush yesterday to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development came to this country from Cuba in 1962 at age 15, he spoke virtually no English. Now, if the Senate concurs, he's going to run the federal agency charged with making sure every American lives in a decent, safe and sanitary home in a suitable living environment.
Mel Martinez, 53, is currently the chairman of Orange County, Fla. That makes him the elected chief executive of a government that provides services to more than 860,000 people and is the home to dozens of high tech enterprises.
Orange County's real claim to fame, though, is Disney World, Universal Studies Florida and numerous other tourist attractions. But his is no Mickey Mouse operation. Indeed, Martinez's government provides complete urban services to 13 municipalities and as well as some 540,000 people who live in unincorporated areas of the county.
Since his election of a four-year term in 1998, Martinez has concentrated on an ambitious program emphasizing public safety, growth management, the needs of children and families, clean neighborhoods, improved transportation and streamlining government.
Under his leadership, and with approval of the Board of County Commissioners, Orange County has reduced property tax rates for two consecutive years. These are the first tax rate cuts in Orange County in over 12 years.
Married and the father of three, Martinez was taken in by foster families when he came to America in 1962. It wasn't until four years later that he was reunited with his own family in Orlando. He graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1973 and was in private practices for 25 years before his election as county chairman.
During his two years in office, Martinez has assisted in the acceleration of plans to expand the traffic capacity of Interstate 4 and other major arteries. Range County has instituted a planning approach that is putting the brakes on school over-crowding. After-school programs are now funded for every child in Orange County in partnership with the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club.
The effectiveness of the code enforcement division has been greatly enhanced, and a community-wide anti-drug coalition has been created. In collaboration with the private sector, new healthcare clinics have been created and a senior initiative has been established to better address the needs of Orange County's older citizens. An unprecedented number of new parks are under construction; over 2,034 acres of environmental lands have been purchased, and an additional 740 acres will soon be acquired.
Martinez, co-chair of the president-elect's florida campaign, is currently serving as chairman of Governor Jeb Bush's Growth Management Study Commission. Among other duties, he also serves as chairman of the board of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and on the Orlando/Orange County Expressway Authority.
Published: December 21, 2000
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