100 Central Florida
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK
ENVISION SEMINOLE, Jane Healy, former editorial page editor and managing editor, Orlando Sentinel: Seminole County could provide a great example to metro Orlando counties like Orange, Osceola and Lake on how to manage their growth. It’s starting to put together the Envision Seminole 2045 plan, which could be a road map for accommodating explosive growth while not ruining the environment. The way to do that is by funneling its growth to urban areas while leaving its treasured rural area alone. What would be so impressive about this is that Seminole is the fourth-smallest county, geographically. The temptation is to cave to developers who savor rural land that is far cheaper. And the other metro counties are huge. If Seminole can do it right, there’s no excuse for other counties not to — unless they cower to developers at the expense of the environment.
PULSE MEMORIAL, Joel C. Hunter, president, Parable Foundation: The Memorial Service at Pulse, marking the sixth year since that horrible event, was key to our city’s identity as a loving and inclusive community. Despite the controversies surrounding the event; from the backlash against the governor showing respect by lowering flags to half-staff while being seen by much of the LGBTQ+ community as an opponent; to the protesters sadly claiming that plans to create a permanent memorial and museum somehow diminishes the reverence with which we remember, the OnePulse organization continues to lead us toward “Love Wins.”
Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission: Osceola County was center stage recently as more than 5,500 athletes from all 50 states and the Caribbean competed in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. The majority of events took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Osceola County. Osceola Heritage Park was also an important venue. The number of athletes — including more than 600 from Florida — and volunteers, combined with the more than 125,000 spectators is remarkable. It was an honor to host the Games — the largest humanitarian event ever held in Florida. Certainly, it is something our community can be proud to have accomplished.
FEELING SPECIAL, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College:
AMERICA’S REPUTATION,
On a recent international business trip to Europe, I found myself facing some rather tough questions from my peers about recent events on abortion and gun laws. “What’s going on over there? Why is America regressing? What are you going to do?” I tried reassuring my European friends that most Americans — in fact about six in 10 — support access to abortion and just over half of all Americans believe we should have stricter gun laws. The events that have plagued the United States are simply sad examples of politicians lining their pockets with money and not listening to their constituents.
Beverly Paulk, founding member,
Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: At great sacrifice, CFCArts canceled all performances of a second show for the safety of the staff, volunteers and public because of COVID-19. Both cancellations were recent and not unique among arts organizations. COVID is still a significant health danger, hampering the tenuous arts recovery. The arts industry has been decimated and may take years to recover. Los Angeles Times reports troubling trends with some art forms in danger of being completely lost, not only organizations. The arts’ mental health benefits plus economic benefits are vital for the local community. Buy tickets, donate and encourage continuing government support for the arts.
RENT STABILIZATION, Sheena Rolle, senior director of strategy, Florida Rising: On June 23, Mayor Demings and Orange County Commissioners will further deliberate rent stabilization. However, the mayor and the commissioners are not tasked with deciding on this issue. That is the job of Orange County voters. So, I question the uncertainty with placing this initiative on the November ballot. Imagine if struggling renters were uncertain of their votes for county leadership in November. The question is this: Do Mayor Demings and the Board of County Commissioners trust their voters to choose the policies that govern their lives just like they choose the politicians that represent them? The solution is simple: put rent stabilization on the ballot and allow the voters to decide.
WORLD CUP BYPASSES ORLANDO, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: What in life will pull you out of your comfortable seat to be a risk-taker and serve? Although the Jason Siegel-led Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s bid committee to be chosen as a FIFA venue for World Cup 2026 wasn’t successful, Jason and his team deserve a big hug and thank you for their hard work. The gargantuan bid effort involved many government officials, businesses, and others who worked for the dream. We may not have prevailed due to competitive factors we couldn’t overcome, but coming together for worthy causes always matters. The journey of a vibrant, ever-changing community must involve stretching and sacrificing to become our best version.
JUNETEENTH, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: On June 19, the United States officially recognizes Juneteenth as a federal holiday. Also known as Emancipation Day, this day in history marks the end of slavery in the U.S. Commemorative events across our region are important opportunities to understand how far we’ve come and how much work we still have in the fight for justice and equality. While honoring past civil rights achievements, I urge you to join me in my renewed commitment to dismantling systemic discrimination that still disproportionately impacts our Black and brown neighbors, like voter suppression and unjust zoning practices. The march toward justice continues.