100 Central Florida
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK
SPLIT OAK PROTECTION, Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County: The Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) took extraordinary steps to protect the Split Oak conservation area, and the adjoining 1,550 acres that had been donated, while moving forward with the Osceola Expressway extension. Understanding some will never want the road, CFX fashioned an eight-point plan putting in place engineering, restoration and maintenance measures that will provide wildlife crossings, additional habitat and conservation protection. Not only will the more than $13 million address Split Oak Forest preservation, but the unanimous decision will set a precedent for higher environmental standards, like the Wekiva Parkway has, for future road builders to achieve. CFX has set an example that all government agencies should try to emulate.
LYMAN YEARBOOK REVERSAL, Ben Friedman, attorney and community advocate: After public backlash, the Seminole County School Board reversed its decision to cover up images of students holding pride flags in the Lyman High School yearbook. The board voted instead to add a sticker to the page saying that it was not endorsed by the school. But why is that necessary? Commemorating important moments in the lives of students is the entire purpose of a yearbook. As the former editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook, I know there are standards to prevent inappropriate material, but by treating this content as taboo, they are sending a message that queer students, teachers, and families still aren’t fully equal.
BAD DEVELOPMENT, Jane Healy, former editorial page editor and managing editor, Orlando Sentinel: Was the latest attempt to plop a mega-development into east Orange County’s rural area some sort of bad joke by its Dallas developers? The developers have withdrawn their request but not before some laughable pitches. First, they changed the project’s name from Sustany — the name of its development that was rejected six years ago — to Sustanee. Huh? Then they actually added homes, taking the total to 2,400. This area is zoned for agriculture and that’s how it should stay with its imperiled species bordering the Econlockhatchee River. Fortunately, the area residents raised a stink and the developers have slinked back to Dallas, where they should stay.
LEESBURG ABUSE, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: A hostile environment is a hostile environment no matter the victim, and when the victims are children, it makes the act doubly heinous. High-school children are hard enough on each other and should never expect aggression from faculty or staff. Recently, two staff members at Leesburg High School resigned after being accused of creating a cultlike hostile environment directed at nonpracticing Christian students. Thankfully, those responsible have been held accountable for their hostile actions, but it is imperative to address how this happened in a public school — and why the abuse of power and authority lasted for over two years.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE, Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: On Thursday, DCF stopped taking applications for the rental and utility-assistance program for low-income and unemployed residents. $1.4 billion allocated to Florida by the Treasury Department last year was distributed to more than 228,000 families. 28 Democratic lawmakers want the Florida Legislature to discuss the state’s affordable housing crisis during the upcoming special session at the end of May, and local governments like Osceola County are offering new programs to provide affordable housing for working families. While Congress is claiming it has no money to help needy Americans, it authorized $40 billion of taxpayer dollars for military aid to Ukraine.
MARVEL MOVIE OPENER, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: As a huge Avengers fan, I happily bought my tickets and headed to the theater to see the latest Marvel release — “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” which opened to packed theaters. Although streaming services have many movie options, nothing beats the big-screen experience in a movie theater with a huge bucket of popcorn, giant diet cherry Coke, and a night out. I love looking forward once again to summer blockbuster releases starting in May; coming soon to a theater near you, “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Lightyear” and, yeah, another Marvel movie — “Thor: Love and Thunder.” Can’t wait!
KUDOS TO SEMINOLE SCHOOL BOARD,
Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: This time, I’m proud to be a Seminole County resident. The Seminole County School Board made a thoughtful decision that supported students and protected the county and free speech. Given a new Florida untested law that defies understanding, a compromise was found that respected the Lyman students’ yearbook work with inclusion of a student-led protest against statewide LGBTQ-student discrimination. As an “antique” yearbook editor, each page, picture and word matter to the yearbook staff and every student. The students forever will remember the life lesson that their voices mattered and positively changed an outcome. Kudos, school board.
TEACHER APPRECIATION, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: Florida teachers deserve so much more than a day, week or month of appreciation. They deserve, at the very least, better pay. Our teachers mold the future of America, protect our kids from gun violence, shelter them in storms, care for them in times of need, and show our kids how to think critically. The role of a teacher is ever expanding, but they are up for the challenge. Thank you to our fearless and passionate teachers!