LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
ADDING A HOLIDAY,
Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission: June 19, 1865 is a symbolic milestone in the journey toward a more perfect union as it marks when word finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War was over and that all enslaved men, women and children were free. “Juneteenth” is a day with immense significance for the African American community as it puts a spotlight on decades of struggle and collective effort before they were granted equal treatment and protection under the law. Osceola County commissioners recommitted to guaranteeing liberty and equal rights for all by adding the day as an official county holiday — a day we will gladly celebrate.
ROE ON THE BALLOT, Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida: With the leak of majority Supreme Court justices in favor of reversing federal protections for abortion, it will be interesting to see how quickly the states will react. It is expected that 26 states are ready to implement this ban immediately. They will, however, face stiff opposition, as a recent poll found 70% of Americans support the choice to be left to the woman and her doctor. This could be a major election issue in the midterm elections, with Democrat leaders calling on Americans to support more members of Congress who are in favor of reproductive rights.
CHANGING SEASONS, Cole NeSmith, executive director, Creative City Project:
In just a few weeks, Orlando Philharmonic and Creative City Project team up to present “The Seasons.” An orchestral ensemble plays Vivaldi’s masterpiece, “The Four Seasons.” The music is accompanied by large-scale, animated projections of classical art. Experiential elements like falling leaves and snow create an added level of immersion. Orlando apothecary and perfumery La Jetee is curating scents for each of the seasons. Guests can enjoy bites and drinks inspired by each season. Don’t miss this limited engagement of a truly unique artistic experience at The Plaza Live, May 27 and 28.
NO KIDS, Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com:
Tornatore’s Ristorante and Italian Market in College Park just made the tough decision to bar children under the age of 18 from dining in their restaurant, unless accompanied by an adult. The restaurant has been serving tasty Italian edibles and pizza by the slice for the past 13-ish years just across the street from Bishop Moore High School, but the owner, Denny Tornatore, took to Facebook over the weekend to declare that enough was enough and that he had been forced to make some changes rather than continue to allow students to disrupt his business and the experience of his regular diners.
FISH TALES, Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host: In the movie “Jaws,” the oceanographer Matt Hooper asks, “You got any better solutions?” Well, here’s one for the media. Please stop reporting shark bites as if thousands of Florida beachgoers are being chomped into bits of chum. The South Florida Sun Sentinel recently ran the headline: “Sharks bit 3 people in recent weeks.” And you’re probably thinking toes, legs, torsos, right? Wrong! All three “attacks” were nips on a foot, a knee, and under a big toe. Nobody called for Quint to come to the rescue. Nobody yelled, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Please stop the sensationalism until there’s a story like “Man bites shark.” That’s when you stop, as they say, the presses.
POUND OF MOUSE FLESH,
Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: What we know about the governor’s dissolution of Disney World’s Reedy Creek is how much we don’t know. Apparently, neither did the legislators who voted for it. Gov. DeSantis roared for revenge over Disney’s public opposition to the “don’t say gay” law and its concomitant pause in campaign donations. Three days later, his Legislature fell in line. There was no economic impact study, no implementation plan, no voter referendum, no negotiations between parties, no consideration of the burden on Orange and Osceola taxpayers, no thought for Disney’s $1 billion bond debt. Only support for the governor to get a pound of mouse flesh.
PARK PLANS, Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman:
Orlando’s jewel is the popular Lake Eola Park, with its colorful fountain, walking paths, art, swan boats, Disney amphitheater and wildlife. Through the foresight and seven-year determination of the Orlando Land Trust (Lynn Long, Eugenia Sefcik, Ted Haddock and others), the public park is more sparkling with the demolition of the 7-Eleven and park expansion plan. The trust raised $3.25 million to purchase the land, including $1.625 million from Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency. Soon, grandmothers like me who contributed to the effort will get to take our grandchildren to visit the butterfly garden with a butterfly sculpture replete with grandchildren’s names that speak to the community’s caring generational spirit.
STATES RIGHTS, Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com: Tiresome tantrums from the left notwithstanding, a reversal of Roe v. Wade would simply hand the determination of specific abortion laws to the citizens in each state, through their elected representatives. This is called federalism, the foundation upon which our republic was built — hardly a controversial concept. A Marist poll done in 2021 found that 76% of Americans would limit abortions to, at most, the first trimester. This has been consistent over many years of polling, putting Florida’s upcoming 15-week abortion ban firmly in the mainstream — and clearly why the left is loath to hand this issue directly to American citizens.