100 Central Florida
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD, Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League: I was honored to participate in the signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis of HB 7065: Legislation to Support Involved Fatherhood. This monumental bill will invest nearly $70 million to encourage responsible and involved fatherhood. Nearly one in four children in our country do not have a father in their home and this bill will provide fathers with the social and emotional tools they need to take an active role in the lives of their children. HB 7065 also increases funding for educational upskilling programs, which will improve employment opportunities for our fathers and young adults. This is a very real crisis in our community and for the future of our children, I am proud that our state is taking steps to try and resolve this.
EASTER BLESSINGS, Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission: Today is a day that marks new beginnings. Easter is a spring celebration that coincides with the blooming of flowers and offers a chance for personal renewal, as many choose to let go of petty grievances and start anew. While many spend time with family and friends, some may find themselves alone. Fortunately, our community has many organizations that can provide fellowship, good cheer and even counseling if needed. Easter is a time to seek life’s messages. If you listen, you might hear them. So open your heart and be open to the renewal and hope that Easter brings to us all.
OPIOIDS,
To read responses from more Central Florida 100 participants, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/cf100
TOP STORIES FROM THIS WEEK
Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida: It was encouraging to see the business, community, faith and philanthropic leaders of Central Florida come together at the Project Opioid breakfast. The urgency of the crisis was shown by the statistics presented, showing a jump of 78% in drug overdoses and 25% in deaths in Central Florida. Thank you to Andrae Bailey for leading the project.
EV CHARGING HUB,
Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com:
Construction has begun on a new Electric Vehicle Charging Hub in downtown Orlando. The new Robinson Recharge Mobility Hub will feature 20 new Level 3 charging stations right next to Ace Cafe Orlando and I-4 that can charge a low battery in 20-60 minutes. The project is estimated to cost roughly $1.8 million and will be the largest of its kind in the state. It’s being paid for in part by a $500,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and OUC and is expected to be finished later this year, which is great news for anyone looking to drive long distances with an electric engine.
SAVE THE DREAMERS, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: One of the 250,000 documented Dreamers of legal immigrants gives a compelling appeal of his stressful life and solutions as a Sentinel guest columnist. Tanuj Solanki is a master’s degree UCF STEM student who has lived here since age 4 with his family. It is insane that three years after graduation he needs to win a lottery visa or be deported. Our community and nation need his skills and heart. Whether by compassion or because of unfilled STEM jobs and the economy, we need many Tanujs. Only our voices will get Congress to responsibly act on this easily solved piece of the immigration challenge.
ONLY IN FLORIDA, Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host: The late “gonzo” journalist Hunter Thompson said it best ... “when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” So let’s take a view at some of the latest headlines from Florida. 1. “Florida man arrested with drugs, gun, and baby alligator in truck.” 2. “Central Florida teens wearing body armor take turns shooting one another.” 3. “Lake County babysitter ran clothes dryer with 4-year old inside.” What’s the old saying? Almost everything strange washes up in Florida. Sigh ...
GIVE TO THE RICH, Sheena Rolle, senior director of strategy, Florida Rising: As many of us scrambled to prepare for tax day, I thought about something I heard at a young age, “Don’t tell me what your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” Those of us who are barely surviving Florida’s housing crisis could have gotten help. Gov. Ron DeSantis could have protected or added to the Sadowski Fund, which provides affordable housing to both owners and renters. Instead, he gave away $624 million to the state’s wealthiest corporations. Show me the money and I’ll show you, DeSantis’ only priority is rich corporations.
BIRTH CONTROL LIMITS, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: In Florida and across the United States, Republican legislatures are passing restrictive laws prohibiting women’s access to abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. You may not be aware that there is also a movement to restrict access to not only abortion but birth control. Rhetoric based on faulty science that birth control kills fetuses rather than prevents conception is the basis for the latest attempt to strip women of their rights to control their bodies. This is being discussed in multiple states. Pay attention, because Florida is sure to be the next in line.