KISSIMMEE SUED OVER AT-LARGE COMMISSION ELECTIONS

Two weeks ago, the federal Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Osceola County over it's at-large method of electing county commissioners, saying it dilutes the ability of it's fast-growing Hispanic population to be represented.

Monday, four private citizens filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Kissimmee with basically the same complaint. Kissimmee, which has a 40 percent Hispanic population, elects it's city commissioners on an at-large basis as well and has elected only black commissioner and no Latinos.

This is something that both Osceola County and Kissimmee should have worked to correct years ago. The feds have looked into this before on the basis of complaints, but Osceola officials only did the minimum necessary to satisfy investigators. It's time to share the power and allow one of the fastest growing segments of the community to be fairly represented in how government there operates.