Florida Central 100
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
THE TOP STORIES LAST WEEK
AUDITING THE TAX COLLECTOR, Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County: The recent audit of the Seminole County Tax Collector’s office revealed what the County Commission suspected but could not verify: spending at an incomprehensible level with little regard for the taxpayer. We have no oversight authority of the tax collector’s budget. That is controlled by the Florida Department of Revenue. After Joel Greenberg’s departure, we asked for an audit, which the acting tax collector granted. At our latest meeting, the commission again asked staff for possible amendments to our charter to gain some oversight of this budget. Stay tuned; whatever can be done must be approved by the Seminole County voters.
CURSE OF THE DONALD? John L. Evans Jr., consulting unit chief for a global investment firm; former congressional staffer: A hundred years ago, the Boston Red Sox traded away Babe Ruth after the slugger had led the franchise to three World Series championships. Boston would not see another championship for more than 80 years. The Curse of the Bambino. It appears we the people may have just traded Trump. His accomplishments, just like World Series rings, have been dazzling, not least the soaring GDP numbers of late. There will never be another Bambino, nor a Donald. For the sake of our children’s and grandchildren’s opportunities, let’s hope for no American economic curse.
DES ANTI S’ S COAT TAILS, Jane Healy, former editorial page editor and managing editor, Orlando Sentinel: People who think Gov. Ron DeSantis’s strong support for Donald Trump is going to backfire are kidding themselves. Yes, Trump lost nationally, but his 51-48 margin in Florida is a landslide here in a state election. Some forget that Trump followed the DeSantis playbook this time to win Florida, not vice versa. He focused on Hispanics in the Miami area and enjoyed huge support. DeSantis clearly had that strategy in 2018, which is why he named a Cuban American as lieutenant governor. If Democrats don’t recognize for the 2022 governor’s race that Trump and DeSantis always boost each other, they will lose again.
COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN, David Kay, rabbi, Congregation Ohev Shalom: Itwas a vitally important life lesson for all of us: just because you’re behind doesn’t mean it’s all over. The dramatic come-from-behind victory sent the winner’s supporters into paroxysms of joy… and those of the loser into disbelief. It seemed too good to be true, and there will be analysis and recriminations for a long time to come. But there’s no disputing the facts— whether you like it or not. So, no matter who youwere rooting for, let’s all be adults about this: congratulations to the Florida Gators on your decisive, comeback victory over Georgia.
WINTER PARK REPRESENTATION, Chris King, CEO of Elevation Financial; 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor: Winter Park was expected to make a big move by placing ameasure on the ballot to change the at-large city commission seats to single-member districts. This change, over 100 years in the making, would finally give Winter Park’s long-ignored Black community more representation in city government. Unfortunately, the measure stalled at Wednesday’s meeting, delaying once again a move toward a fairer government. As a resident of Winter Park, I’m disappointed by the delay, but I hope the organizers won’t give up. One option is a petition drive to get the issue onto the ballot without commission approval. I’d sign that petition!
ARTISTS IN TROUBLE, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: Tens of thousands of area musicians and artists plus families are struggling with basic necessities. The pandemic has exposed the low-pay/minimal savings, no medical insurance, housing and food insecurities— all of life’s stressors. Many artists have no good options, and each has a story. Jeff Thomas, principal trombone for the Orlando Philharmonic since 1993, has had a major heart attack with no insurance. Kathy, his wife, plays baritone horn also for the Philharmonic. Help them at gofundme.com/f/jeff-thomasrecovery-fund. Organizations helping everyone they can are FeedtheNeedFL.org and GOPAR (Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief ). Our artists deserve better— and our help.
SPLIT GOVERNMENT, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: A split government is not necessarily a divided government. Had Donald Trump won, hewould have been without constraint, backed by a Republican Senate. Hewas already unimpeachable and would have been beyond control in his second. If Democrats win the Senate this time (we’ll find out after Georgia’s January runoff ), the progressive wing of the party couldwell be a runaway train. A Republican Senate— a split government in this case— would control that. The only thing dividing a split government is a lack of respect and empathy among opposing views. Let’s hope we’ve passed that.
NIGHT OF A MILLION LIGHTS, Rick Singh, property appraiser, Orange County: Give Kids the World, the vacation destination for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, was forced to close and lay off staff earlier this year due to the pandemic. But the storybook village has found a silver lining by decorating the nonprofit resort and welcoming visitors to enjoy more than amillion light son all the villas and buildings. Organizers welcomed partnerships with theme parks and businesses to decorate and recruited volunteers to contain costs. Masks are required, of course, and social distancing is expected. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) opportunity to enjoy with your family this year.