TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

FOOD NEEDS, Martha Are, CEO, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: Recent news coverage is pointing out what many may have already been noticing at the grocery store. Due in part to pandemic-fueled supply chain issues, the price of everyday food items, like ground beef and peanut butter, has been rapidly increasing. These costs disproportionately hit those already struggling — and the food pantries that traditionally offer assistance. While Thanksgiving and Christmas are often times of increased need, as families gather to celebrate, I encourage you to give now, if you can — people are hungry year-round. If you are able, please include food banks and pantries in your ongoing giving.

UBIQUITOUS CRICKETS, John L. Evans Jr., Organizational behavior scholar; DeSantis appointee: Gryllus Rubens. A fabulous contributor to the Central Florida experience. This time of year we can finally open our windows at night and enjoy his symphony: the southeastern field cricket. Rubens is also relevant to politics at present. He is who you hear when in discussion with a lefty on DeSantis’ success with COVID-19, the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle, border solutions or the menace of how much it now costs to fill up your car. Oh my, Rubens is performing brilliantly — with no signs of letting up.

BRADY’S PERSPECTIVE, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: Tom Brady recently threw his 600th touchdown pass, becoming the first quarterback to do so. He barely talked about it. Instead, he focused on a young boy holding a sign that read, “Tom Brady helped me beat brain cancer.” Brady ran to him at the end of the game and gave him his Buccaneers hat, bringing tears to the boy. We learned he wore a Brady jersey every weekend watching the GOAT play while lying in his hospital bed battling cancer. Brady said the boy’s battle was “real,” putting into perspective what families face every day compared to what happens on the football field. Perspective is a beautiful thing.

THE BLIND EXPERIENCE, Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission: “The Blind Experience” on Tuesday is all about empathy for the visually impaired. Elected officials, planners and engineers will learn how it feels to cross the road when you can’t see what’s coming — heart racing, breath quickening, and ears straining. As chairwoman of MetroPlan Orlando, it’s my hope that the experience leads to more inclusiveness in planning the transportation system. A person who is blind should be able to comfortably walk down our sidewalks and safely cross our streets. If you’re a driver, devote 100% of your focus to the road and scanning for pedestrians to make Central Florida roads safer.

UNIVERSAL’S BEST QUARTER, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: Despite the pandemic and virtually no international visitors, Universal reported the most profitable quarter in its history. Parent company Comcast stated third-quarter theme-park revenue of $1.4 billion, up from $385 million for the same period a year ago. The boost was driven by Universal Orlando. Executives cited strong attendance and improved operating conditions. Since COVID-19, Universal Orlando opened the new attraction Jurassic World VelociCoaster, resumed construction on Epic Universe theme park and brought back the popular Halloween Horror Nights. Several HHN venues have reached capacity crowds. Scaring up more business is good for Central Florida.

FAIR VOTING, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: Hurrah for the unified voices of 67 Florida county election supervisors, Republicans and Democrats, in calling out the falsehoods of people still claiming irregularities in the 2020 presidential election. Reinforcing the integrity of Florida’s voting system, the statement was directed to us, the voters. As GOP reps in Brevard and Lake counties ask for an Arizona-style “forensic” evaluation, a waste of time and resources, supervisors say ‘put this behind us’ and allow fair voting by rejecting the latest GOP-led legislative initiatives. Audits already exist. It’s time for making voting more accessible, not more challenging, as our votes are the bedrock of our democracy. Make your voice heard.

PAID LEAVE, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: Fifty senators, including Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, are standing firm against paid maternity leave. The United States is one of the only developed countries that does not pay so that a new parent can stay home and care for their child. Consider that day care cannot accept a child before six weeks and that once there, the cost of care typically exceeds university tuition. We need to do better for our children and our families. Support paid parental leave.

WATCH PREEMPTION BILLS, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: As this next Interim Committee Week approaches at the state Legislature, all Florida residents should be sure to watch the progress of preemption bills, which cede certain powers to the state. Some examples of this last year included preventing regulation of gas infrastructure, emergency orders, impact fees, and more. While preemptions and the State may seem far away, these bills are the perfect example of how the State affects your close-to-home government.