100 Central Florida
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
To read responses from more Central Florida 100 participants, go to OrlandoSentinel.com/cf100
GOP WANTS NORMALCY, Francisco Gonzalez, host, Agents of Innovation podcast: In a contentious Republican primary battle for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, Cory Mills defeated Anthony Sabatini by 13 percentage points. This was a landslide win for Mills and a rejection of Sabatini and those he chose to surround himself with like Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene. While these members of Congress tend to vote the way I’d like them to, from a conservative perspective, their personal behavior and demeanor are unprofessional and unattractive to those in the persuadable middle. In this race, GOP voters in Central Florida sent a message for a return to normalcy and away from psychopathic representation.
LOAN FORGIVENESS, Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission: Kudos to President Joe Biden for eliminating billions in student loans — as much as $20,000 per individual — for millions of people. Education is important but often it becomes a burden that can linger for years. Last week’s forgiveness program is a boon for those struggling to meet their obligations during lean economic times. It also extends the pause on monthly student loan payments, which means that borrowers won’t have to resume payments until at least January. Not sure if you’re eligible? Make sure your loan servicer knows how to find you, so that you’ll receive any guidance it provides and follow any instructions it issues.
TRAINING EMTs, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: In dire need of more emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters, Lake County Schools and Lake County Fire and Rescue have partnered to create a program for Mount Dora High School that allows students to graduate with an EMT certification. The 300-hour program focuses on the technical side with classroom instruction during the fall semester and hands-on training in the spring. Although this program currently only is being offered at Mount Dora High School, program directors in the future hope to bring this program to several other districts. Kudos to those in Lake County working to help young Floridians bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood.
SEA TURTLE PROTECTION, Anna McPherson, past president, Junior League of Greater Orlando: Sea turtle wash back season is here. With the nest count in Volusia County at historically high levels this year (1,314 loggerhead nests, 66 green turtle nests, 10 leatherback nests, and 1 rare Kemp’s Ridley nest as of Aug. 12) turtle wash back is inevitable. Wind and storms can wash these tiny turtles back on the beach. If you find a tiny turtle struggling on the beach, its critical that you don’t throw it back in the water. Young turtles should be left on the sand and shaded if possible. Call beach patrol even if the turtle looks dead as they can be nursed to health at the Marine Science Center. Once they’ve regained strength, they will be boated out to the gulf stream and returned to their natural habitat.
STUDENT DEBT RELIEF, Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: Over 40 million Americans and over 2.6 million Floridians currently have studentloan debt. President Joe Biden announced that his administration will forgive up to $10,000 in student loan debt for most borrowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients. Individuals must make less than $125,000 a year and couples must make less than $250,000 a year. Students’ loans have ballooned to more than $1.7 trillion. According to the Federal Reserve at least 12 million borrowers will see their debt disappear, which is about $321 billion in federal student loans. This is a great relief for millions of students.
DENIERS ARE HARMFUL, Mark E. NeJame, founder, senior partner, NeJame Law: They denied that vaccines were effective against COVID and now anti-vaxxers proliferate. Polio has re-emerged as fewer receive a polio vaccine. They denied, despite 61 court rulings and overwhelming proof, that Biden legitimately won. Now our institutions are in chaos and an ex-president breaks laws with impunity. They denied climate change and that humans were rapidly destroying the earth. Now the planet is afire and flooding. Scientific data and medicine, although imperfect, are far more reliable than ego-driven politicians and unconcerned, greed driven companies. Yet they are denied, despite overwhelming evidence. Deniers are destroying our country and world.
HATE AND VIOLENCE, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: Death threats against activists are a consequence of fighting against corrupt leaders and systems. But today, merely doing your job is enough to have your life threatened. A Florida candidate called for shooting law-enforcement officers and the governor called for harm to Dr. Anthony Fauci. They know their followers see hate speech as a call for violence. We want a society where differing opinions, doing one’s job, or holding others accountable doesn’t result in death threats and violence. That’s why we need to vote like our lives depend on it. Because they really do.
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: For those of us with high school seniors, this past week was a joy. I love seeing our students back at school, making plans for their future and expressing their individuality with creative and witty parking spot art. It was extra special to see the Horizon High seniors building traditions for their school and setting the standard for years to come as the first graduating class. Congratulations to Orange County’s class of 2023!