LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

GOOD TROUBLE, David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida:

Fifty-seven years ago last week, the late Rep. John Lewis was beaten bloody in the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. At the opening of an exhibit on Rosa Parks at the Library of Congress in December 2019, he said, “She inspired us to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” Those concerned about the controversial bills becoming law in Florida would do well to follow the advice — and the example — of Rosa Parks and John Lewis and get into some good trouble.

THE MOUSE THAT DIDN’T ROAR, Ted Maines, owner/president, Ted Maines Interiors:

Disney CEO Bob Chapek insulted the large population of LGBTQ+ Disney employees and guests by refusing to condemn Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. In a video to cast members, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro danced around the issue but also did not specifically condemn the bill. Disney donated approximately $200,000 to the supporters of this homophobic legislation, and their failure to denounce the bill that has brought national shame on Florida can only be seen as cowardice in the eyes of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. In the words of Abigail Disney, “get a spine.”

FEMALE NUTRITIONAL LEADERS,

Eddy Moratin, president, Lift Orlando: This Women’s History Month, I’d like to recognize two leaders in The Communities of West Lakes. Roniece Weaver and Fabiola Gaines are the founders of Hebni Nutrition Consultants, the Soul Food Pyramid, and other culturally sensitive nutritional resources. Since 1995, they’ve worked to reduce health disparities among high-risk minority populations. Through their innovative strategies such as the Fresh Stop Mobile Market or their many educational programs, they are preventing many diet-related diseases. I’ve seen them brighten smiles, nourish souls and strengthen the health of the community for many years with their secret ingredient: love.

MILITARY OPTION, Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida:

As the administration deals with the Ukrainian crisis, it will be interesting to see if the military option for the United States and Europe is mentioned. The financial, diplomatic and political options have all been utilized and to tell our foes that we will not be exercising the military option already sent the wrong message at the beginning of the crisis. Let’s hope and pray the crisis is resolved soon as it has the potential to involve the whole world with disastrous outcome for everyone.

WOOING WORKERS ON TV,

Pamela Nabors, president/ CEO, CareerSource Central Florida:

The Domino’s ad that popped up while recently watching TV caught my attention as it wasn’t promoting pizza, but rather the workplace. National TV ads, typically the holy grail of advertising to attract customers, are now being used to entice a new audience: potential employees. As the tight labor market forces rethinking recruitment efforts, some national companies with larger budgets are investing in more expensive and creative platforms such as television and popular TikTok influencers. It will be interesting to see how small businesses adapt, as they often have smaller budgets, but can benefit from greater speed-to-market and flexibility than larger competitors.

DON’T SAY DROP BOX, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County:

Once again, the Florida Legislature is trying to make voting more difficult with the latest attack on voting by mail. Their newest shenanigans are in SB 524, that creates the nation’s first election police force and strikes out “drop box,” replacing it with “secure ballot intake station.” This nonsense would confuse voters and require all county election supervisors to revise websites and literature. Think about that unnecessary cost (like the oppressive election police expense) when the 2020 election was clearly safe, secure and efficient. There is no significant voter fraud, but the Republican Legislature is afraid of too many Democrats voting by mail.

COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman:

The Russian Department of Health under Putin has officially recommended against the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children. Oops, with Russia otherwise on my mind, I meant to say the Florida Department of Health under Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. National facts: One-third of children hospitalized with COVID-19 didn’t have any preexisting conditions, say six children’s hospitals, including one in Florida, during the summer’s delta surge. FIU epidemiologist Dr. Mary Jo Trepka: “Healthy kids can be hospitalized and even die from COVID-19.” Public health can’t live in a petri dish of misinformation being spouted through conspiracy theories and ignoring science. Safety first.

CRIMINAL DATA TRANSPARENCY, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity:

The Legislature has allocated another $8 million to FDLE to assist them in coming into compliance with a law passed in 2018 requiring that they publish criminal data in a way that was accessible and usable by the public. Some are still refusing to provide data; for instance, only Volusia County’s state attorney has complied. It’s been four years and millions of your dollars. Millions more are about to be spent. It’s time sworn officers comply with the law, or, perhaps we’ll have to ask, what are they hiding?