FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5, 2010

Teresa Jacobs Proposes Mayoral Public Debates

ORLANDO, Florida (April 5, 2010) - Teresa Jacobs, former Orange County commissioner and candidate for Orange County mayor, sent a letter to Commissioner Bill Segal, who is also running for county mayor, challenging him to a series of in-depth debates on specific topics, including jobs and the economy, and ethics and transparency. Jacobs also invited mayoral candidates, Commissioner Linda Stewart, Commissioner Mildred Fernandez, and Matthew Falconer to participate in the debates and to help develop the format, topic areas, and ground rules.

Jacobs' proposal is in response to Segal's repeated assertions that he is the "front-runner" in the race. Jacobs said, "Elections are decided by the will of the voters based on the issues that are important to them. The front-runner won't emerge until after the candidates have openly discussed and debated the issues."

Jacobs says she suggested that the first debate focus on a critical priority for our region - jobs and the economy, or on ethics and transparency. "Orange County citizens are deeply concerned about jobs and the local economy, and a key factor in attracting new jobs is integrity in the elected leadership," said Jacobs. She also questioned whether Commissioner Segal is complying with ethics requirements approved by the voters in 2008. Jacobs proposed changes to the County's ethics ordinance in early 2006. Two years later the Commission voted to approve most of Jacobs' changes, but delayed implementation until January 2009. In November 2008, 87% of the electorate approved a similar Charter Amendment proposed by Jacobs.

According to Jacobs, Commissioner Segal appears to have violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the Charter Amendment by not disclosing his business partners. State law bans elected officials from voting on matters that affect their business partners but - prior to Jacobs' 2008 amendment - there was no way for the public to know if the law was being violated. Jacobs said, "After a two-year battle to close this loophole, Commissioner Segal should explain why he still won't tell the public who he's in business with."

"Commissioner Segal also violated the spirit of the County's gift ban when he attended several 'No Name Club' parties," Jacobs said. The parties were organized by a high-profile local attorney who is also the lobbyist for Centerplate, the company that catered - free of charge - at least two of the parties. Centerplate used county-owned facilities without permission to prepare the gourmet food. In 2008, the Orange County Commission awarded Centerplate a $300 million food concession contract at the Orange County Convention Center.

"Voters are weary of so many stories like these. We owe it to them to debate this and other important issues," Jacobs said. "If there was nothing improper about the so-called No Name Club parties, then Bill Segal can clear the air."

Jacobs added: "Although Segal declared 'we're moving on,' the voters deserve to know where he stands on ethics and transparency, especially since 'ethics" doesn't even appear on his website."

Jacobs suggested that other debates should focus on taxing and spending; growth management, transportation, and environmental protection; and each candidate's vision for the future of Orange County.