About Diane Velazquez

Diane Velazquez was first elected to the Apopka City Council in March 2014 and served four years representing the citizens of Apopka.   During her time on Council, Diane has supported efforts to rebuild City parks, including the new, grant-funded Billie Dean Community Center at Alonzo Williams Park; the new Splash Pad at Kit Land Nelson Park; and the grant-funded rebuilding of Lake Avenue Park.  From the dais, she negotiated concessions with developers to improve the appearance of developments and protect the safety of children.  She worked with Christian Lamphere and a team of staff to make the Apopka 9/11 Memorial a reality. In 2018, she was appointed to the Orange County Planning & Zoning Commission representing District 2.  In December 2020, Diane was again elected to the Apopka City Council to fulfill the remaining Seat 2 term, when the sitting commissioner resigned due to illness.  During this short term, Diane voted to:

• Decrease the millage rate
• Increase Public Safety staffing
• Increase infrastructure maintenance funding
• Expand City greenspace with the purchase of Camp Wewa

Diane is a compassionate, hands-on leader, always ready to meet with residents to hear their concerns and to seek solutions.

Diane and her husband Ed established roots in Apopka in 2005, after both retired from the NYPD.  Diane is a retired detective, having served as a medical insurance fraud investigator.  In addition to his service in law enforcement, Diane's husband, Ed, is a 9/11 First Responder and Vietnam Veteran.  She and Ed have have two adult sons--one a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan--and two grandchildren, Mariah and Julius.