LOOKING AHEAD THIS WEEK
Innovative Altamonte Springs
Lee Constantine,
Make no mistake; big things can come from small places. A local example is the continuous innovations of Altamonte Springs. Just recently, the unprecedented discount agreement with Uber, named it one of the 10 most progressive transportation cities in America. AFIRST created 1 billion gallons of alternative water used throughout the region. PureALTA, making reclaimed water purer than drinking water, won the International WateReuse Project of the Year. And now, MasterCard has requested Altamonte to be a founding member of City Possible, a public-private partnership creating global networks for urban co-development. The other 15 founders include Dubai, Dublin, Helsinki, San Diego, and Sydney, just to mention a few. All have well over 1 million in population. Wow!
Fresh start ahead
Rogue Gallart,
In the grip of the upheaval and loss that has defined 2018 so far, from political chaos in the United States to hate groups rising in our country and people just plain angry, Americans are aching for moments of unity and triumph. Unity + Wise Leadership = An end to most of the world’s problems. I have faith that 2019 will bring some positive change and start the right path for us all, but till then … I will quote Van Halen’s song, “Where Have All the Good Times Gone?”
Address homelessness
Shelley W. Lauten,
As we begin to experience winter in Central Florida, I don’t even like walking up the block to grab a coffee. Imagine how our neighbors living without a home on our streets feel during this cold spell. In this season of giving, wouldn’t it be nice to address the underlying cause of homelessness? Clothing donations are nice, but, you can’t solve homelessness without a home. Consider asking elected officials their plans to expand affordable housing this holiday season. It may not be glamorous, but it will go a long way to help get our neighbors into safe housing and out of the cold.
Panthers again threatened
A.J. Marsden,
The Florida panther’s dwindling territory once again is under threat. In the 1990s, the panther’s numbers were so alarmingly low that eight Texas panthers were introduced to help diversify Florida’s panther population. These efforts have helped, but developers seem to have other plans for our state animal. A new urban development in South Florida’s Collier County threatens to separate their already shrinking territory, limiting the panther’s ability to find potential mates. And new developments mean new roads — traffic fatalities are one of the leading causes of death for the panther. There will always be more opportunities to make money, but the Florida panther doesn’t have many chances left.
Utility refunds sought
Muhammad Musri,
The state Office of Public Counsel, the Florida Retail Federation, and the Florida Industrial Power Users Group filed a petition Wednesday at the state Public Service Commission. The petitioners are asking state regulators to require Florida Power & Light to refund nearly $736 million to customers due to tax savings under last year’s federal tax overhaul, and they are calling for a review of the utility’s base electric rates. The PSC’s job is to insure that all utilities should set their rates to be fair, just, and reasonable. FPL should refund consumers and give them lower rates, that’s only fair!
Health-care deadline near
Joseph F. Pennisi,
Dec. 15 marks the end of marketplace open enrollment for health-care coverage. Central Floridians needing 2019 coverage should take action now to get and stay covered. Navigators at the Primary Care Access Network can help with the process. They not only do outreach and signups, but also help consumers update their accounts, understand their coverage options and how to use coverage, and refer them to health-care providers and community resources. With decreased federal resources for outreach and marketing, more help is needed from friends and neighbors during early December to make sure the open enrollment window and deadline is widely shared.
Time to go bowling
David D. Swanson,
Let’s go bowling! Yes, it’s that time of year when our region hosts three different football bowl games at Camping World Stadium, games that pump thousands of dollars into our local economy while also providing huge dollars in the form of charitable contributions. Here’s to Steve Hogan and Florida Citrus Sports for all they do in the month of December to help this region thrive. Get some tickets and get out there for a good time with family and friends!