LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE, Joel C. Hunter, president, Parable Foundation:
The Seminole County Commissioners have again displayed wisdom in resisting an easy path for large corporate developers to implement questionable plans in the county. By telling a New York City-based company they would have to gain enough voter signatures on a petition to get casino-style gambling in the form of a poker room on the ballot, the commissioners did not fast-track that part of Fern Park’s development. Aside from whether or not gambling is good for a community, the decision and process should come from grassroots efforts rather than corporate attorneys convincing public officials. Well done.
BAD FOR BUSINESS,
Ted Maines, owner/ president, Ted Maines Interiors: Florida’s Legislature seems determined to create an undesirable environment for corporations looking to relocate to the Sunshine State. Their focus on restricting abortion access, prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory, and an issue that has gotten a great deal of national attention — the harassment and restriction of equal rights for LGBTQ+ students. We should encourage our elected officials instead to focus on issues that would encourage high-tech industries and the like to take a look at Florida, such as affordable housing, public transportation, quality education and addressing the effects of climate change on our beloved peninsula.
MENTORSHIP, Alex Martins, chair, UCF Board of Trustees; CEO, Orlando Magic:
For 50 years, UCF’s Black Faculty and Staff Association has contributed so much to our university and our community. Throughout its history, the association’s strong commitment to mentoring has helped hundreds of UCF students succeed in earning their degrees and thriving in their careers. This year, BFSA members are mentoring and inspiring more than 30 students one-on-one through the Legacy Program, and the students are paying it forward by volunteering weekly in our community. I’m thankful for our many mentors who play an important role in helping students achieve their full potential and I strongly encourage everyone to consider mentorship.
RECIPE FOR DISASTER, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: Another bill (SB 524) designed to reject by-mail ballots is snaking through the Florida Legislature. We already have the sweeping overhaul voter suppression law (SB 90) on federal trial and Gov. Ron DeSantis requesting an election police force. SB 524 requires four envelopes to return a by-mail ballot and additional voter identification (drivers license, state ID or Social Security numbers) recorded on one of those envelopes. Lake County Supervisor of Elections and former Republican state senator Alan Hays testified that this is a “recipe for disaster.” Most by-mail voters are Democrats. SB 524 is blatant election fraud or election manipulation.
THROWING NFL GAMES? Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman: First, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross fires coach Brian Flores. Next follows the Flores discrimination lawsuit against the NFL (check out the Rooney Rule and little progress hiring Black head coaches). But it’s the alleged $100,000 offer from the owner to the coach to throw a game (for better draft picks) that now piques my interest. Last year, it was reported the NFL expected to generate $270 million from gambling deals and projected the market growing to $1 billion. Game-fixing in the 1919 World Series seems to be forgotten. Ross’ attempt to throw a Dolphins game as sports betting grows should be a big investigative story.
RAPE PROTECTION FAILS, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: HB525/SB868, the bill that would have changed Florida law to protect vulnerable people from rape, failed to move forward in the House. It might seem like common sense that we would want to protect someone from a rapist, especially when they cannot protect themselves. More work needs to be done, but for now, know that next time you see an advertisement telling women how to protect themselves from rapists, ask why we aren’t instead teaching young men how not to rape and taking action to stop them.
TRAILBLAZING SCHOOL,
Black History Month is a perfect time to learn about our own local history and honor the trailblazers in our community. The first Black grade school in West Orange County opened in 1957 and graduated only 14 students in its first year. Now known as Orange Tech-Westside Campus in East Winter Garden, this education site has provided technical educational opportunities and valuable certifications for local students and a workforce for the local marketplace. This historic location is now at risk of becoming a bus depot for OCPS. Please join the community meeting about the change Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the campus, 955 E. Story Road, Winter Garden.
Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: ENERGY POLICY, Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com:
Kudos to the Sentinel for publishing Frank Zarb’s brilliant commentary (“Biden must think big on U.S. energy policy.”) Mr. Zarb, U.S. “Energy Czar” under President Gerald Ford, highlights how the Biden administration has unwisely suppressed U.S. energy production, resulting in a loss of energy independence and status of net exporter of oil. And at precisely the wrong time, where demand is skyrocketing in a post-pandemic economy, and amid unprecedented economic stimulus — jacking up both energy prices and inflation. Renewable energy is indeed the future, but must come online organically, based upon technological advances and the free market, not forced via ill-founded and ideologically driven government policy.