LOOKING AHEAD THIS WEEK
David Kay,
Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz wants City Council meetings to have American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. He's got the right idea — accessibility shouldn't be after the fact. Right ideas should also be done right. As the Sentinel reported, Florida doesn't license or require certification for ASL interpreters, resulting in awkward, confusing, and even dangerous situations for deaf citizens. Commissioner Ortiz says he's going to keep bringing up the issue of ASL interpreters. I'm with you Commissioner — and let's make sure they're certified professionals.
A.J. Marsden,
An Orlando outfit is making a big difference in the lives of special-needs children and adults. OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability) is a center offering various programs for children, teens, and young adults. The programs — including various camps, social-skills events, and a theater club — help individuals and families set goals to improve communication and self-confidence. This not-for-profit is a prime example of an organization that not only believes in helping others in need, but also improves the communities in which it operates in Central Florida.
Brendan O’Connor,
Orlando is projected to add more than 1,500 new residents to the region every week for the next 11 years. Now is our chance to plan for how we want to sustainably grow and thrive in the next 20 years while protecting our resources, livelihoods, and economy for our future leaders to keep this city beautiful, and ultimately “livable” — because there's no point in being pretty if we're a big mess inside. Affordable housing, preserving natural area, public transportation, and establishing a living wage should be meditated on with each step we take. Joanie Schirm,
I grew up in Melbourne during the birth of America's space age. My physician father, Dr. Holzer, performed employment physicals for the big three rocketmaking companies: Northrup, Martin, and Boeing. Back in that day, missiles went off in secret. The 24-7 news cycle didn't exist; only 15-minute nightly newscasts. This past week's Sentinel headline, “Boeing will delay test launch of capsule” wouldn't have been a story we knew as silently the companies worked out kinks in their design and manufacture of what would eventually transform the NASA story that took astronauts safely into space. Designs this complicated rarely unfold without glitches. We need a cautious Boeing team.
Rick Singh,
Still in the hunt to host the men's World Cup soccer matches in 2026, Central Florida has learned that the cost to stage the games could exceed $50 million. On the other hand, the anticipated economic impact could exceed $600 million. It seems like a good investment for the most popular sport in the world to host its biggest event in world's tourism epicenter. Even with 16 other American cities also still vying to be named the host city, Orlando will no doubt be a major contender. Given the chance – the region can definitely come together to share the responsibilities for creating a world class event.
Jen Vargas, producer/host, FilmSlam at Enzian Theater: Have you ever attended a Orlando Pride game? If you haven't, you must. Professional women's soccer shamefully does not receive enough attention, and these women play 80 times harder than their male counterparts. (No offense, City.) I was very sad to see A&E Networks drop as the National Women's Soccer League's broadcast partner on Lifetime TV shortly before the upcoming season was to begin. Many Kickoff to Soccer events are planned around the season opener versus the Portland Thorns on Sunday, April 14 at 5 p.m. Come on, Central Florida! (Wo)Man the wall and please support our Orlando Pride!