Florida100 Central
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
To read responses from more Central Florida 100 participants, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/cf100
THE TOP STORIES LAST WEEK
HARRIS SPEAKS UP, Mary Lee Downey, CEO and founder of the Community Hope Center: I’ve sat through many meetings where I’m interrupted, talked over or automatically assigned the role of note-taker just because I’m awoman. Sen. Kamala Harris was all of us at Wednesday night’s vicepresidential debate. “I’m speaking” needs to be the mantra for allwomen leaders who are constantly interrupted and talked over. It’s hard to do what Sen. Harris did becausewe know we will be viewed as “rude” or “too aggressive,” but, women everywhere, take note: you can speak, you should be speaking and you should be heard.
UNIVERSAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: The news of Universal Parks& Resorts’ 1,000-unit affordable housing complex in Orange County was refreshing in the tide of stifling economic headlines. The project will create affordable apartments near the parks. High prices and low housing supply are some of the reasons Orlando ranked seventh-worst for housing affordability in a March report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. We knowthat ALICE families struggle to afford stable housing in areas where healthy food, transportation and health care are easily accessible. We hope more private entities model the Housing for Tomorrow initiative to play a role in addressing affordable housing.
CELEBRATION OF RENEWAL, David Kay, rabbi, Congregation Ohev Shalom: The seemingly endless stream of major Jewish holidays that began in September wraps up with Simchat Torah, the celebration of the renewal of the annual cycle of reading the Five Books of Moses. The idea of an ending embedded in a new beginning is a bit of ancient wisdom that can easily get overlooked in the festivities. The Sages of the Talmud teach that “All beginnings are difficult.” Part of the difficulty is knowing that the beginning of something new means the end of something else. Not always a bad thing, by theway.
HELP FOR DISNEY JOBLESS, Chris King, CEO of Elevation Financial; 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor: Aswe saw again, our service industry employees are often the lowest paid, least secure and first laid off when trouble strikes. In the latest blow to our Central Florida economy, Disney announced another round of layoffs, this time over 8,000 employees. But, even in dark times, rays of light do shine through. Those rays of light were bloggers Sarah and Tom Bricker, publishers of DisneyTouristBlog.com, who created a virtual fundraising drive to help out struggling Central Florida families. Sarah and Tom originally aspired to raise $2,000 but are nowon track to raise over $50,000.
AMENDMENT2, Ken LaRoe, Founder, Climate First Bank I/O: Now, more than ever before, Americans understand how critical essential workers are to all of us— and yet they are still criminally underpaid. Especially now, we cannot pass on the opportunity to lift millions of low-wage employees and their families out of poverty. To say that the restaurant or tourism industry— or any industry— cannot afford Florida’s Amendment 2, whichwould raise the minimumwage to $15, is simply not true. I can say this through experience. As consumers, we will just have to pay a little more for services we enjoy and take for granted.
SPACE BUSINESS BOOMING, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: In the midst of a pandemic, space exploration has been exploding. NASA, in partnership with the private sector, is intent on landing a beachhead on the moon with a sustainable outpost by 2024, a project called Artemis. SpaceX is now routinely launching reusable rockets for commercial partners across theworld and the 60 satellites shot into low-Earth orbit Oct. 6 now bring the total to 775. Elon Musk’s Starman and Roadster came within astronomical spitting distance of Mars last Wednesday. Florida’s burgeoning space industry will soon be bringing our economy much more than just sci-fi thrills.
MARRIAGEEQUALITY, Michael Slaymaker, professional fundraising executive: Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito suggested the court should “fix” the landmark 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. Their statementwas attached to a decision ruling against Kentucky’s Kim Davis (who refused same-sex couples licenses). Thomas’ quote that the Obergefell decision has “ruinous consequences for religious liberty” goes to prove he is out of step with the American public, over 63% of whom agree with same-sex marriage. Interesting that Thomas doesn’t talk about reversing Loving v. Virginia. Some religions would take issue to Justice Thomas’ interracial marriage. Marriage equality is here to stay. Get over it. This isn’t 1950.
ARTE XHIBIT, Craig Ustler, owner/president, Ustler Development Inc.: The JEFRE “Points of Connection” exhibition opened at the Orlando Museum of Art. This contemporary and thought-provoking display is important and timely for Orlando. JEFRE is an immensely talented artist that is already known world wide, and his recognition is sure to grow after this exhibit. He is strongly influenced by urban design, cities and place-making and the museum presentation weaves an intricate and creative tale of his life and influences. There is a powerful message of diversity and unity. This exhibit is certainly worth a visit and JEFRE and OMA should be congratulated.