THE TOP STORIES LAST WEEK
Jane Healy,
Good for Seminole County commissioners in not caving in to River Cross developers. Former legislator Chris Dorworth, leading the charge for the boondoggle development, wanted the commission to settle its federal lawsuit so a huge project could be built in the very area that voters said they want to keep rural. If the commission had given in, every developer around would be proposing projects there and then suing it was rejected. River Cross modified its development to include less commercial but that actually made it worse — just another profitable sprawl subdivision built on cheap land that would require residents to drive miles to shop and work.
Joel C. Hunter,
As I sat with my friend Rev. Terri Steed Pierce at the Pulse memorial service, she described the event that horrible night, mentioning the assassin’s name. It struck me that his name was absent in most or all of the memorial services, but the names of the 49 were prominent, treasured, respected. Love wins not because we are preoccupied with villains but because we dwell upon the gifts of the victims’ lives. Their lives, and the grief of those who knew them and those who wish they had, have birthed a lasting empathy and broader unity — overcoming evil with good.
David Kay,
Apparently, the best way to get a chance to ride the new Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ride at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter is to have been in one of the Harry Potter movies. Actors from the series were front and center in a VIP sneak preview. The rest of us will have to wait our turn in line. That’s OK, though — competition between area theme parks to produce better and more spectacular experiences and boost tourism. It would be nice to have a “locals only” day, though!
Shelley W. Lauten, Anna McPherson,
The eastbound Kaley street on-ramp and exit have been demolished and rerouted. I am feeling the same level of sadness and mourning as I did for the Ivanhoe exit. Both of these exits previously led me to pop onto I-4 for quick navigation from neighborhood to neighborhood in Orlando. Now I choose to stay off the interstate as the convenience of hopping on and off I-4 is compromised. Perhaps that’s sort of the point — maybe I-4 designers don’t want people to use it for short-haul mileage trips. Which is fine, as long as Orlando traffic lights are synced and ready for the influx. Farewell dear Kaley eastbound on-ramp, RIP Ivanhoe exit.
Mark E. NeJame,
On July 1, “texting while driving” becomes a primary traffic offense, adding three points and a fine to your driving record if convicted. The law bans texting while a vehicle is moving but not if at a stoplight. Also, only texting is prohibited. Other phone activity is not. The law also requires only the use of a handsfree device in school and active construction zones. Actions, such as changing your music or using your GPS, are permitted, so unquestionably confusion will abound when many are stopped. Also, there is concern about pre-textual stops. Therefore, identifying the race of the person stopped is required to be reported to the State by law enforcement. Balancing safety with citizens’ rights is always a challenge.
Brendan O’Connor,
Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors will reopen Monday and I’m still thinking about all of the hard work the new ownership team put into the space. When the popular dive bar shuttered last year, the new owners had every intention of just sprucing it up a bit and reopening within a month or two but when the lights were finally turned on, it was apparent that the building needed a complete overhaul. That being said, it’s kind of amazing how true to the essence of the original Wally’s the new space really is. Let’s hope more developers take note of this heart-forward approach to renovating local cultural hubs like this watering hole in Mills 50.
Rick Singh,
Last week, Orlando countered hate with unity and strength. It’s hard for locals to forget where they were on June 12, 2016. The horror of the Pulse nightclub shooting is clear in the minds of those impacted by the tragedy. As we marked the third anniversary of that awful, violent act, I was filled with pride as the area’s residents, once again, came together in reverence and love. The community events and memorials held for the 49 victims lost and those affected may not heal the feeling of loss but allowed us to support one another through the journey to recovery.