LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

THINK DIFFERENT, John L. Evans Jr., Organizational behavior scholar; DeSantis appointee: You can’t not. That’s what happens when your heart fills with love on this holiest of days. That is, you cannot not go and do something creative and kind for a person in need or otherwise. In our ridiculously harried world, where busyness is the altar that we honor, maybe it’s time for a change. A personal revolution, if you will, of our thinking. Because how you think about anything means everything. A definition of righteousness is right thinking, aligning our loving hearts with our deeds. Happy Easter, y’all. Rise up, put the cellphone down, and think different.

FRINGE ON DECK, David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida: Spring in Orlando means the return of three things: humidity, afternoon rainstorms and the Orlando Fringe Festival. From May 17 through May 30, Orlando hosts some of the most creative, unusual, intriguing, challenging and even disturbing performances to be found anywhere. Tickets for the 31st annual fest go on sale Tuesday, but you’ll need to buy a $10 Fringe button to purchase tickets. “Why?” you may ask. Because the money from button sales helps cover operating costs — so that 100% of ticket sales are returned to the artists. Don’t miss the longest-running fringe theater festival in the U.S.

GREEN RECRUITING, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, both personally and professionally. In addition to donating their own time and talents through community cleanups and living sustainably at home, our newest generation of workers are showing greater interest in working at businesses that demonstrate a tangible commitment to making the world a better place. On the hiring side, we are seeing more “green recruiting” to attract these workers, such as promoting a company’s charitable giving to environmentally friendly groups, offering commuting subsidies and empowering employees to be good environmental citizens. It’s a trend that is good for us all, both individually and globally.

DESANTIS’ MAP, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: The Florida Legislature abdicated its constitutional duty and deferred to the governor after he vetoed their congressional maps that don’t eliminate Black districts. Gov. DeSantis made the unprecedented decision to draw the map himself and called the Legislature back into session next week. He wants to eliminate what he calls “racial gerrymandering,” but his map violates the popular 2010 Fair Districts Amendments that require fair representation of minorities and do not allow favoring the ruling party. Surely it will end up in court, but the map probably will prevail for the 2022 elections. DeSantis’ map could net a 20-8 Republican to Democrat split and likely give Republicans control of Congress.

A TALIBAN MOMENT, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: As the reality of the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation disseminates among school boards, it’s increasingly more evident that Florida is facing its Taliban moment. When the Taliban recaptured control of the Afghanistan government, it began reinstating the traditional Taliban limitations on female education, women’s rights and sexual freedom. With Republican control secured over the governorship, Senate and House, legislation such as “Don’t Say Gay” and now the “Stop Woke Act” veer progressively more conservative. As school boards begin purging books from our school libraries that challenge anything other than traditional male/female relationships, the ramifications of this ideological political shift have intensified in broad daylight.

YOUNG WORKERS, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: The City of Orlando took an important expansive step for its Summer Young Employment Program. Between 300 and 400 students in various industries will receive $14 per hour for 30-hour workweeks via CareerSource at summer camps, insurance, retail, and hospitality companies. Businesses gain interns at no cost, while the city helps the students open bank accounts and receive financial literacy training. Undoubtedly, this will lead to a more informed and secure future employment. These student employees from the local schools’ free and reduced lunch programs will receive a life learning jump start on life in possible endeavors they want to pursue. Financial literacy helps future success.

SAVE SPLIT OAK, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: In one of the most bipartisan, clear-cut decisions of November 2020, 86% agreed to protect Split Oak Forest with a charter amendment. I wrote a memo to the mayor and commissioners as early as January 2022 asking them to rescind their application, which would allow destruction of at least 160 acres of public lands. It’s time we take a step toward transparency and listen to our residents. The voters decisively stood for Split Oak Forest. Orange County needs to rescind their application ahead of April 20. The private entities pushing for this toll road may donate their own land for it, but the taxpayers

said, “Go around.”

THE RIGHT KIND OF DEVELOPMENT,

Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com: You can count me among the many folks who lament what could be perceived as overdevelopment in Central Florida. So, of course I have concerns about the massive, sprawling O-Town West development popping up fast and furious near my home in southwest Orlando. But I am willing to keep an open mind in this case, admittedly driven by self-interest. As reported in the Sentinel, a new World of Beer location is slated to open in May at O-Town West. This will fill the big, gaping void created when the World of Beer in Dr. Phillips closed a few years ago. My prayers have been answered.