In a scathing letter to the editor at the Orlando Sentinel, Martin Garcia, chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, pulls no punches as he slams Disney for what he calls “overbearing control in the district”. Garcia points to a recent vote on property tax rate cuts, which saw Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista inexplicably raising property tax rates to foot the security bill for Disney.
He accuses Disney of enjoying undue influence over numerous businesses in the area and even alleges that city council members rent their homes from the corporate behemoth, further fuelling the media company’s dominance.
The ongoing feud between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis now reaches new heights, with Garcia’s letter underscoring the governor’s relentless pursuit of accountability and transparency. DeSantis appointed members to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board after dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, determined to tackle what he perceives as the spectre of “woke politics” invading the state.
Despite Disney’s attempt to dismiss the countersuit by the board, the battle rages on, revealing the David-and-Goliath struggle as the district fights to preserve its independence and integrity in the face of Disney’s historic level of influence in the local community.
