LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
CELEBRATE THE LIGHT, David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida: Earlier this month, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists celebrated Diwali, a festival of lights affirming the triumph of good over evil. On Nov. 28, Jews begin celebrating Hanukkah, their own festival of lights affirming the triumph of good over evil. A few weeks later, Christians celebrate Christmas, amplifying those same themes. It’s no coincidence these and other similar festivals happen this time of year. Our ancestors were understandably anxious as the days grew shorter and the nights longer in the autumn and winter. Instead of cursing the darkness, though, they chose to celebrate the light — and so should we.
UF IGNORES ACADEMIC FREEDOM,
Ken LaRoe, Founder, Climate First Bank: The University of Florida’s actions have flown in the face of everything an independent academic institution stands for. Bowing to political pressure and ignoring academic freedom, UF has actively worked in Gov. DeSantis’ interests. The most recent offense is barring three political-science professors from offering expert testimony in a federal lawsuit challenging the limiting new elections law because it was “adverse to the university’s interests.” UF reversed this decision, but what’s to stop this from happening again? My wife and I won’t contribute a cent more to the university until it implements a policy to never silence faculty again.
COVID ENDEMIC, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: Multiple studies are showing the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine waning after six months, with seniors most likely to be affected since they were the first to be vaccinated. For millions in the U.S. under 65, more than six months have passed since their last shot. While historically some pandemic viruses have disappeared, experts now expect COVID-19 to become an “endemic” like the common cold or seasonal flu, which leaves us wondering — will COVID-19 ever go away?
DAZZLING NIGHTS, Cole NeSmith, executive director, Creative City Project:
Orlando’s immersive holiday light experience has returned to Leu Gardens. A fully redesigned show illuminates a ¾-mile stretch of the gardens. 185 handmade Moroccan lanterns hang from overhead as guests adventure through a 7,000-square-foot light tunnel. The Rose Garden comes to life with 200 illuminated spheres. In addition to the light installations, guests can enjoy live entertainment, robust food offerings and a finale of falling Florida snow. The annual tradition sold out in 2020, so the run has been extended. It runs nightly through Jan. 9.
ANTI-MANDATE SPECIAL SESSION, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County:
Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature have defied President Biden by passing HB 1B imposing $50,000 fines to counter Biden’s executive order mandating vaccinations for private companies with at least 100 employees effective Jan. 4. Even small businesses face $10,000 fines per violation under the new law. Although Florida exemptions are basically the same as federal (medical or religious reasons or regular testing and masking), this initiates a federal vs. state war. Precedent favors federal law. The vaccines that we all hoped for and that both parties pushed for are a political weapon. This law isn’t necessary, and it won’t make us safer.
TWO SIDES OF THE STORY, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: We read juxtaposed views of how our state (public and private entities) manages the fight to get COVID-19 out of lives quickly and efficiently. One story shows the leadership merits of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. His strict measures made us one of only 12% of counties nationwide considered by the CDC as “moderate” in virus spread. Fully vaccinated residents can now feel hopeful. At the same time, the GOP-controlled Legislature passed bills restricting private businesses and school districts from imposing strict measures to stop the spread. They also made public records secret, concealing who’s investigated for violations of vaccine mandates the GOP doesn’t like.
THINKING BIGGER,
With more conversations around transit, I am happy to see so many new Lynx routes going to District 1 in December. Our piecemeal development and degradation of a master plan has forced our residents to rely on their cars. As we develop and evaluate our comprehensive plan, we must look at projects from a truly comprehensive perspective — how will people live here? We need to ensure that every development has things like 6-foot sidewalks to fit a mother with a stroller and a friend, shade trees for the summer, pocket parks for peace and multimodal connectivity.
Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1:
TAME IN COMPARISON, Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com: The righteous indignation by those on the left and in the media around the cultural phenomenon of the spontaneous “Let’s Go Brandon” chants at various sporting events, T-shirts, etc., is laughable. While I obviously understand their disdain, this is mere pablum compared to the 24-7 vile language and images — not euphemisms, mind you — directed at President Trump and even worse, at his family. Instead of feigning thin-skinned outrage about it, the Biden acolytes ought to do some soul searching vis-a-vis their bone-crushing policy failures to understand why people are so ticked off. So, yeah, cry me a river.