By Brian McBride
Associate Editor

Described as someone who does her homework on the dais, Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb said she believed her vision, intellect and the track record warranted another four years in office as she's running for re-election for commission seat 4.

A long-time real estate guru who is running against former commission candidate Jorge Miranda in a race that will be decided in the Aug. 24 primary — because there are only two people in the race — Grieb pointed to her work on the lakefront park project and the Vine Street redevelopment process as signs that she's been an effective commissioner.

Miranda, who has run unsuccessfully for a commission seat in the past, declined to be interviewed by the News-Gazette.

While she noted that government could be frustrating at times because of all the hurdles to get a project completed, she stressed that the city, Osceola County and the Kissimmee Community Redevelopment Agency are trying to find a funding mechanism to pay for the Vine Street redevelopment. City officials previously said trying to lure in new business, possibly by offering some type of incentives, and also attracting a high-end residential development would improve the look of the corridor.

And she's had a hand in helping to advance the Kissimmee Lakefront Park project. The city is in the middle of building the $28 million project to bring more visitors to the area, which is expected to include a 30-foot cube-shaped fountain called “Rain.”  The feature will have water flowing over it pausing at intervals to allow people to walk through a hidden door inside the hollow structure located in a plaza on Ruby Avenue.

“We're moving dirt and that's moving along,” Grieb said.

She also pointed to her influence on the commission in helping to persuade Osceola County government to use the 21-acre Beaumont site it purchased from the Osceola County School District near downtown Kissimmee for mixed development instead of county office buildings.

The CRA is currently spearheading the project that could bring housing and businesses, such as eateries and coffee shops, to the downtown neighborhood.

“We'd have people living, working and playing downtown,” she said.

Former mayor and city commissioner Linda Goodwin-Nichols said Grieb is a commissioner who “does her homework” and that she is a bright city leader who listens on the dais.

“Speaking from experience, I think she has been an incredible city commissioner,” Goodwin-Nichols said.

As far as personal tastes go, Grieb, who described herself as a “child of the 80s,” said that in her car, you'd find music from performers like AC/DC, Amy Grant and Duran Duran. And she enjoys “whodunnit” TV shows like “Bones” and “CSI.” And when she’s not working to better the city, she likes to hit some of the local haunts.

“There are a lot of great places in downtown right now,” she said.

And why should she get another nod in the upcoming election?

“I truly have a passion to help the city move forward,” she said. “I think I have helped to further advance the vision that began with the city. You have to know where you are headed.”