Busy time for Lake Nona
Brendan O’Connor,
Lake Nona is getting self-driving buses and all we got was this T-shirt. It’s hard not to watch all of the things heading to Lake Nona and not get a wee bit jealous; giant lagoon pools cleaned by super-magnets, projection art, maybe our art museum, and now autonomous shuttles by way of NAVYA and Beep (not a folk band). What do we have to do to get some downtown love?
Local vs. state legislation
Joseph F. Pennisi, founding
Although their session has not formally begun, our state legislators are back at it, reviewing legislation in committee. A number of bills, if enacted, would continue a disturbing trend of taking unto themselves prerogatives that should, rightly, belong at the local level. The Florida League of Cities has identified and opposed an even dozen bills that would preempt local decisionmaking. Among them is a bill that would not allow local governments to ban or regulate front-yard vegetable gardens. The irony here is thick, given that our state policymakers often rail against an intrusive federal government preempting their ability to legislate important matters.
Appreciating Jerry, Val Demings
Larry Pino,
In the midst of sometimes virulent and often violent language which is both racist and sexist, we can look no farther than Central Florida’s power corridor to witness the opportunity current times provide for hard work and public service to pay off. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Congresswoman Val Demings, an African-American power couple endowed with aptitude, composure and vision, have risen to the top of political influence in a way which would have been challenging decades ago. Through setbacks and sometimes glacial progress, it is occasionally appropriate to applaud what talent and skill can produce along the way.
Remembering van den Berg
Joanie Schirm,
Central Florida lost a great one with the passing of Egerton van den Berg. Known for big vision, high standards, and as a problem-solving advisor, Egerton left his indelible mark beyond his work as a litigator. For over a decade he served as Orlando city attorney, actively expanding equal opportunity. He helped birth today’s nationally acclaimed Orange County Legal Aid Society. His involvement in the creation of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and OIA is legendary along with leaving retirement to become volunteer chairman of the COVE committee, ensuring Orange County Public Schools’ construction and renovation projects were carried out as voters signaled they wanted. With sincere thanks, RIP.
UCF president’s resignation
Michael Slaymaker,
The biggest news in Central Florida was UCF President Dale Whittaker’s resignation. He says he didn’t know leftover operating funds couldn’t be used on new buildings. The school spent or planned to spend a total of $84.7 million in leftover operating funds. Will Whittaker’s resignation placate lawmakers? What did former President John Hitt know? This is a mess that isn’t going to be cleaned up any time soon. This UCF scandal will certainly tarnish their image, but the students will continue to come. We have sunshine and a winning football team.
Kroger/Ocado in Central Florida
Kannan Srinivasan,
Retailer Kroger is the latest entry to Central Florida in the form of an e-commerce warehouse. Kroger partner Ocado will be opening a customer fulfillment center in Central Florida. Central Florida is the home for other online fulfillment centers, including Amazon. Ocado is going to leverage advanced robotics technology and creative solutions in its fulfillment center.
Watching national debt
John Thedford,
The U.S. national debt has passed a new milestone and is now $22 trillion! Due in part to the passage of President Trump’s tax cut in December 2017 and increased spending on domestic and military programs, this debt figure continues to rise at a rapid pace. Fortunately, our own state’s debt has fallen 25 percent since July 2010 and we currently running about $21 billion in debt with a AAA credit rating. We are spending less, paying down debt and using tactics to cut down our borrowing. Time for Washington to become an understudy of Florida and cap our national debt.