Central100 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

TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

GRANT TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS, Martha Are, CEO, Central Florida Commission on Homelessness: We celebrated a rare victory in our battle against homelessness and HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge personally delivered the news: The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and its dedicated partners received an $8.4 million federal grant to help homeless youth. We’re one of just 17 communities in the nation to get the award. This is a chance to interrupt the spiral of trauma, joblessness, substance abuse and illness that come with homelessness. For hundreds of young people sleeping in cars or alleys or on a stranger’s sofa, this is a chance to change the trajectory of their lives.

TESS WISE’S LEGACY, Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League: Central Florida lost a hero as Tess Wise, the co-founder of the Holocaust Center, passed away. At a time when capture would have meant death, Tess bravely escaped a Nazi labor camp by using a stolen ID badge. At the end of the war, she attended medical school in Germany before moving to America in 1947, where she settled in Orlando and married her husband. Together, in the early 1980s, they organized a series of local conferences which led to the creation of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida. Today, more than ever, we need resources like the Holocaust Center to combat anti-Semitism and hate. May Tess’ legacy live on through every visitor to the Holocaust Center and in our community for generations to come.

VETERANS EVENT, Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way: On Oct. 26, Heart of Florida United Way’s Mission United hosted its first State of Our Veterans event, presented by Lockheed Martin. The purpose of the event was to bring together community stakeholders who professionally or personally support veterans’ issues in Central Florida — namely mental wellness. I’d like to thank our guest speakers and everyone who was in attendance for making this event possible. However, while the event was a success, there is much work left to do. This is why Heart of Florida United Way established its Mission United Impact Group, designed for those who want to support solutions for veterans in our community. Those interested in joining should visit www.211MissionUnited.org.

ENVIRONMENTAL WIN FOR SEMINOLE, Jane Healy, former editorial page editor and managing editor, Orlando Sentinel: Seminole County certainly knows how to protect its environment. Pulte Homes has now withdrawn its request for a water plant in Seminole’s east side rural area, home of the Econlockhatchee River. Pulte would have gotten approval for its proposed 300 homes because of the zoning. But it also wanted a water plant, which is a no-no if you really want to keep an area rural. It just spurs development. Seminole knew this and didn’t cave. Its staff recommended against the plant and the planning board voted against it. So Pulte withdrew its request for the plant before it went to county commission.

The main reason that probably happened is because Seminole commissioners have made it loud and clear that they’re going to protect the rural area. Pulte must have gotten that message.

CIVILITY, Jeremy Levitt, distinguished professor of international law, Florida A&M University College of Law: A plea for civility, not partisanship. As the political season marches on, it is important for us to remember that we are more alike than not. Scientifically, all humans are 99.9% identical and as Americans, Floridians, and Orlandoans, we are geographically indistinguishable. We are also ideologically similar believing in core American values such as liberty, self-government, equality, individualism, diversity and unity. And, while we may disagree about how to embrace and translate these values into law and policy, we believe in the rule of law where all persons, institutions, and entities are constrained and held accountable. Don’t believe the hype!

HOME REPAIR LOOPHOLE, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: Imagine paying — in full — for a new roof and then almost losing your house because the contractor didn’t pay his bill to the suppliers. Sadly, this exact scenario is happening in Florida. A Florida law allows a supplier not paid by a contractor to place a lien against a homeowner’s house. Homeowners then are forced to pay the bill twice for their new roof or lose their homes. This is a cruel law that punishes the homeowner for a job they already paid for in full. Laws should protect Florida’s homeowners instead of scam artists with a business license.

GET VACCINATED, Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: The Florida Department of Health found that from August to September, flu cases were higher than expected while COVID-19 infections are still high and new variants have appeared. Health experts are warning that an aggressive flu and COVID-19 season is coming this winter. President Biden took his vaccinations for both last week on camera and urged all Americans to do so because COVID is still killing many people across this country and the world. According to the CDC, Florida ranks near the bottom when it comes to flu and COVID vaccinations. Floridians should get vaccinated before the holiday season starts.

OZ’S ABORTION COMMENT, Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity: During his Pennsylvania Senate debate, Dr. Mehmet Oz mentioned that the decision regarding women’s health should be between her, her doctor, and local politicians and it lit social media on fire. Women have started calling the local elected officials and asking their opinions on a variety of reproductive health challenges like birth control, infections and pregnancy. The responses from politicians and their staff are not surprising. They don’t want to have the conversations and feel they are “inappropriate.” If they want to limit women’s choices, then they need to be prepared for the responsibility that comes beyond just the talking points.