LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
HELPING THOSE IN NEED, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: Heart of Florida United Way’s 211 Information and Referral Crisis Line has been experiencing unusually high call volumes — mainly due to an increased community need for housing and utility assistance. This is likely being driven by high temperatures and dwindling COVID-19 relief funds, which have been supporting many of our neighbors’ basic needs. This data highlights the importance of Central Florida banding together to find new ways to support those in need of assistance.
GET THE FACTS, Ted Maines, owner/president, Ted Maines Interiors: Heads up, Florida parents! Acclaimed documentarian Ken Burns’ “The U.S. and the Holocaust” premieres soon, and from all advance accounts the word is that it will present an unflattering, albeit honest, portrayal of how our nation’s isolationism and refusal to intervene played a role in the extermination of two out of every three European Jews. Gov. DeSantis’ HB7 “Individual Freedom” law promises to protect Florida’s students from feeling “guilt” or “anguish.” But let’s be clear about something. In a democracy, individual freedom does not equate to encouraging ignorance when it comes to historical facts.
SEMICONDUCTOR BOOST, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: What incredible big news it was that Osceola County is receiving a $51 million Build Back Better grant after a fierce competition for federal funds. This project is the only grant awarded in Florida by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and aims to expand the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The funds will be used to accelerate the growth of NeoCity and bring more high-wage technology jobs to Central Florida. This award is truly game-changing and will propel the emergence of a cluster anchored in semiconductor research and development of a manufacturing workforce. The dreams of Osceola and regional leaders for NeoCity are becoming reality!
GLACIER FEAR,
Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host:
Ever heard of the Thwaites glacier? Brace yourself. It’s the size of Florida, it’s hanging on a by a thread in Antarctica and it’s dubbed the “doomsday glacier.” Climate change and warming oceans are causing the glacier to retreat (melt) at an alarming rate. Some marine biologists at the University of South Florida estimate that sea levels could rise 3 to 10 feet in the not-so-distant future which is troubling news for a state that is flat as a drive-through hamburger. Are you thinking about leaving Florida seashore property to your heirs? Don’t be surprise if they request cash instead. A smart Floridian might consider opening a surf shop on high ground in Clermont. Better not to be caught goofy-footed when the ankle biters lap Highway 27.
ELECTION FRAUD, Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County: We have two clear accusations of 2022 Florida election fraud — acts by others (not voters) that threaten the integrity of elections. With no evidence, Florida House District 11 Republican primary candidate Laura Loomer falsely claims that she won over Republican Daniel Webster. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Democrat of Miramar won re-election by five votes and “election police” Chief Pete Antonacci alleged, “I’m certain that in that tranche of voters, there were plenty of illegal ballots cast.” Sowing seeds of distrust in the integrity of our elections is dangerous. Trust in the integrity of the vote is the foundation of our democracy.
ALLEGED
AGING WELL, Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur: 95-year-old Richard Soller of Miramar, winner of the 200-meter finals at the National Senior Games, reflects the face of modern science in aging. Called senescence, it focuses on aging cells — cells that build up as we age, but don’t die — a major contributor to dementia, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Dr. Leonard Hayflick, who discovered the field, is himself 94 years old and leading the charge developing medicines to clear those hibernating cells in the future. One thing is clear now though: aerobics, resistance and balance training lowered senescent cells and increased functionality. So help may be on the way; but, in the meantime, keep exercising!
SHINGLE CREEK, Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1: On Tuesday, we are discussing one of the most important water bodies in Orange County, Shingle Creek. You may know Shingle Creek as the Headwaters of the Everglades, from the 528 sign near International Drive. Shingle Creek serves as our quintessential drainage basin in major rain events, water treatment before it touches the Everglades, aquifer recharge to refill your water cup, carbon sink for emissions, and so much more. On Tuesday, the Board will be discussing ways to protect Shingle Creek in perpetuity. I hope to see you there at 9 a.m.
SOCIAL SECURITY IS POLITICAL,
Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com: A recent opinion piece in the Sentinel by Bloomberg columnist Ramesh Pannuru hits the nail on the head vis-a-vis the precarious nature of the long-term fiscal viability of Social Security. This is a particularly critical issue here in Florida, given the density of retirees. As usual, it all comes down to politics. Forget the Democrats lifting a finger to participate in a solution, as a very hot place will freeze over before they ever cut one thin dime from any government program. And every time any Republican dares to suggest needed reform, they are demonized politically and back off. Both parties are pushing Granny off the cliff.