THE TOP STORIES LAST WEEK
GET REAL ON RACIAL TENSION,
News media was full of stories about President Trump retweeting video of a man in The Villages shouting, “white power.” Some indicated that it “revealed tensions” in the community. Revealed tensions?! If it took the president of the United States retweeting video of a man, in 2020, chanting “white power,” approximately 30 miles north of Groveland, the town where, 70 years ago, the Groveland Four became the tragic victims of racial injustice, to “reveal tensions” here or in any other part of the country, then I wish you a very late welcome to the conversation. We’ve been expecting you.
DO YOUR PART,
RENT INCREASES,
MASKS IN SEMINOLE,
As
a surge of COVID-19 cases threatens our regional economic recovery, it is more important than ever to provide a clear, consistent message for the community to unite, share best practices and highlight businesses positively supporting safety measures. The Safer, Stronger, Together campaign calls on residents and local businesses to do their part by making the Orlando promise, a public commitment to responsibly adhere to safety and health guidelines. We all need to do our part, which includes wearing masks, regular handwashing and social distancing, so our economy can recover and fewer people suffer the consequences of COVID-19.
Commissioner Emily Bonilla’s recent push for a countywide freeze on rent increases was a lesson in local government that we should all heed. Bonilla, who listened to her constituents’ concerns regarding possible rent increases from landlords who are faced with an extended moratorium on evictions, tabled a proposal to put forth a freeze on rent increases for the next 12 months. Bonilla’s fellow commissioners chose to shut her out simply because they don’t like working with her. Many of them admitted to not even reading her three-week-old proposal. Likability is a major factor in getting things done at the regional level.
Seminole County announced that residents will be required to wear face masks while in public. The executive order states that “Every person working, living, visiting or doing business in Seminole County is required to wear a face covering consistent with CDC guidelines while at all businesses, places of assembly and other places open to the public.” With all the hospitals seeing an influx of COVID-19 patients, Florida’s governor should make it mandatory for all Floridians.
Don’t defund the police, but reallocate their funds to make them better. It is ridiculous to say eliminating the police will make you safer. Deep down, you know that. Don’t let politics get in the way of your common sense. Bad police individuals did horrible things to Black individuals, which led to riots, protests, “Black Lives Matter,” then to “Defund The Police.” BLM makes sense; DTP does not! Use funds to hire better, get rid of bad cops fast, better train good cops to handle today’s mentally and physically tough pressure situations. Good police are dedicated and care about you. Treat them right!
BUDGET FOR HOUSING,
The governor’s efforts to balance the budget were aimed in the wrong direction. Now the damage is done for next year. The largest budget cut was to affordable housing for low- and middle-income families by simply keeping $225 million in the Sadowski fund that is designated for affordable housing. We are the worst area in the country for affordable housing along with low wages. The long lead time to get affordable-housing projects completed means more long delays for people desperate for decent housing. The money is there. The next budget needs to have triple this amount approved for affordable housing.
100 YEARS OF WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE,
Many Central Florida Independence Day fireworks may be silent, but the values we hold dear are as evident in spirited conversations and demonstrations as when the Constitution signers’ ink went dry. This summer, we celebrate the centennial of women’s suffrage leading to the 19th amendment. We now recognize some white suffragists exhibited racism that tainted the valiant effort. In the ongoing voter rights and Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the sisterhood has expanded to a mixture of skin colors and gender. All are angry that voter suppression continues. Demand an end to the games that some politicos play.
SOLDIERS’ BOUNTY,
What does it take to get fired? I am a CEO of a charity. If my staff sent me a memo explaining that a competing nonprofit had put a bounty on the heads of my clients I could: 1) say I didn’t read the memo and get fired; 2) do nothing and get fired; or 3) find out later about the memo, read it and continue to do nothing — and get fired. For a president whose signature catch phrase is “You’re fired!”, we owe it to all the men and women who serve in our armed forces to impeach him.