100 Central Florida
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
TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK
SUING THE SCHOOLS, Martha Are, CEO, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: Following a Texas law modeled on the practice of individuals suing their neighbors, Gov. Ron DeSantis has asked the Legislature to let parents sue schools if they are unhappy with classroom content. The actual topics aside, what kind of society are we becoming if our go-to when we disagree is neighbor suing neighbor? To address challenges — both ideological and substantive — we need to work collaboratively, engage in thoughtful dialogue and be open to conflict. Encouraging frivolous lawsuits will do nothing but drive folks from their careers and tear the fabric of our community.
DECLINING BIRTH RATE, Mary Lee Downey, CEO, Hope Partnership: Pope Francis’ speech on declining birth rates got my attention. Florida’s birth rate has been dropping for years and as a mother of three, I completely understand. Our system punishes working families for having children. The expansion of the Child Tax Credit and the Build Back Better plan were meant to help support young families, but here we are in 2022 without the assistance that families desperately need. I wish that everyone who claims to care about family values would support policies that might actually make parenthood an option for many here in Central Florida.
MLK DAY OF SERVICE, Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League: Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day created to honor the legacy and recognize the impact of one of our country’s greatest civil rights leaders. While Americans all look forward to the third Monday in January as a day off; it is important to recognize that MLK Day is the only federal holiday which is also designated as a National Day of Service. Dr. King spent his life fighting for change in our society and by taking some time out of our day on Monday to give back to our community, we honor his legacy.
CARING CALLS,
Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission:
It was an honor to spend time at the Osceola County Council on Aging to check in with our seniors. The pandemic forced this vital agency to close its doors to the public for a time, but it hasn’t stopped serving vulnerable residents used to coming in for meals and fellowship. Calls, as they say, are a good way to reach out and touch someone — even if it is just to check in to say hello, make sure everything is OK and ease feelings of isolation or anxiety. Guess what? Those calls did as much for the people making them as those receiving them. Volunteers are welcome.
WHAT ABOUT HOUSING? Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida: As the state legislators were preparing to go to Tallahassee for the upcoming legislative session, some of them were connecting with their constituents to answer some tough questions. At the recent Tiger Bay Club luncheon, they were laying out their priorities and it was very disappointing that none of them mentioned the most important issue facing us in Orange County, affordable housing. With the average renter needing 2½ jobs to pay for a roof over their heads and no mention of affordable housing in the governor’s State of the State address, I guess it’s going to be business as usual in the Capitol.
RIP BOB SAGET, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: It’s not often that Orlando is the home to shocking news about a universally beloved entertainer. Bob Saget won me over in his starring role in TV’s “Full House,” portraying wholesome patriarch Danny Tanner, a widower with three daughters. Hearing that he died unexpectedly in an Orlando hotel while on tour doing what he loved, being a stand-up comedian, took my breath away. Only 65, his reach as an actor and comedian touched many hearts over the years. In his last tweet, Bob pronounced he was “happily addicted” to touring — a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest, doing what we love.
ORANGE CROP, Kannan Srinivasan, former president of Asian American Chamber of Commerce; CEO of Global KTech: New research shows consumers from all over America are more likely to buy orange juice if they think the fruit comes from Florida. Economists found that any image or printed use of the word “Florida” makes oranges from the Sunshine State the most preferred juice among buyers. Many do not know that some of the orange juice on the market is not 100% from Florida citrus. Only 45% of orange juice in the market is from Florida. The leading sources for orange juice that is not from concentrate — where most of Florida’s processed orange crop is utilized — are Florida, Brazil, and Mexico.
RAPE INCAPACITATION BILL, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: HB525/SB868, the rape incapacitation bill, was voted on unanimously without debate in its first hearing. This bill closes a loophole that allows individuals to rape someone who is incapacitated if the rapist has not drugged them. This may come as a shock to many, but not as shocking as it was to a young woman who became pregnant after being raped and is now being sued by her rapist for custody and child support. If you think this can’t happen in Florida, you would be wrong. Please let your legislators know how important their support of this bill is.