LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
HABITAT GRANT, David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida:
In 2012, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida partnered with Habitat for Humanity on Harmony House — a home built by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim volunteers working together. Most of those volunteers were new to Habitat for Humanity and didn’t understand how that organization worked, thinking the houses were essentially given away. But the scope and depth of Habitat’s mission is very different: providing opportunity and skills to become responsible homeowners to those who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance. Now, a generous grant from MacKenzie Scott will support and expand that good work in Central Florida.
BOUND BY BASEBALL, Eddy Moratin, president, Lift Orlando: We celebrated the unveiling and dedication of the new The Barrier Breakers Monument at Lake Lorna Doone Park across from Camping World Stadium. This beautiful monument by renowned sculptor George Nock honors the legacy of the young baseball players from Pensacola and Orlando who in 1955 took part in the first interracial Little League game in the Deep South. This inspiring story that occurred in the West Lakes community is the subject of the powerful 2018 documentary “A Long Time Coming.” Special thanks to Ted Haddock at the Haddock Family Foundation, Demetrius Summerville and the City of Orlando for making us so proud.
UKRAINE TIPPING POINT, Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida:
A critical meeting of President Biden with our NATO allies should give us a clear direction as to our strategy in the war as we enter a critical stage. There seems to be very few options available to the west short of military action. Hopefully this will not be exercised, as it could be disastrous for the whole world. Hope and prayers for the victims.
REMOVING THE MASK,
Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida:
A major topic of interest, especially in Orlando, is the new TSA mask policy due this spring. After several extensions, the TSA mask mandate is set to expire April 18, as the CDC and government work to revise the policy for public transportation corridors based on current risk levels. I have a few airline trips planned this spring and, while I may choose to wear a mask anyway due to the slight uptick in new infections, I do look forward to it not being a requirement. Regardless of the extension, it’s encouraging to see travel picking up again within our airports, theme parks and region as the country celebrates spring.
REDISTRICTING, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: Florida redistricting maps are still unfair and unbalanced. Fair Black and Hispanic voter representation and nonpartisan districts are mandated by law. The primary and backup maps passed by the Legislature aren’t totally compliant. Gov. Ron DeSantis inserted himself into the process with his unconstitutional map that lessened Black congressional representation. He vows to veto the Legislature maps and possibly call them back into session. Several lawsuits have been filed claiming DeSantis’ veto would jeopardize redistricting in time for candidate qualifying that begins in June. If we don’t get this right, Florida faces a decade of misrepresentation that impacts our environment, health care and education.
AMAZON’S REACH,
Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: Slipping through the cracks relatively quietly, Amazon completed its $8.5 billion deal acquiring MGM, the Hollywood studio with more than 4,000 film titles and 17,000 TV episodes, to add to Amazon’s Prime Video and Amazon Studios. It is noteworthy that, in conjunction with Apple’s ecosystem and Google’s platform, Amazon has truly become a wealth engine for Americans nationwide. The three companies combined currently represent over 15% of the portfolios held by American pension plans and retirement accounts, whether directly or indirectly held, and a significant foundation for the country’s private wealth.
HEALTH CLINIC HONOR, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: A west Orange County nonprofit health clinic, Commonsense Childbirth Inc., was recently recognized by Time magazine. Founder Jennie Joseph was part of Time’s inaugural Women of the Year. This birth center and clinic gives pregnant persons prenatal and postpartum support in an effort to level the health care playing field and eradicate Black maternal mortality. Besides being a birth center and place of comfort, the clinic is home to the School of Midwifery. We are very thankful for Ms. Joseph and all she has done for the families of Orange County, especially District 1. Congratulations!
SAVE ORLANDO BREWING, Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com:
Orlando craft beer lovers, unite! You’ve likely heard that Orlando Brewing — the city’s oldest independent craft brewery — will be relegated to nothing but a distant memory if they cannot raise $200,000 to cover the cost of moving to a new location. They fell victim to an obsolete law that required breweries to be located in areas zoned industrial and are now being forced to move as their building has been sold to Orlando Health. This is a plea to the Central Florida craft beer community to join me in contributing whatever you can to Orlando Brewing’s GoFundMe and save this iconic brewery. Let’s “hop” to it!