100 Central Florida
Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK SEMINOLE MANAGER,
Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County: One of the most important decisions any County Commission makes is the county manager, its CEO. Seminole County has been working through this selection process for well over a year. In the first round, the three candidates were good but not the right fit. In the second round, the three new candidates had many qualities to succeed in Seminole County, but one had it all. He has experience with success in the region, particularly in Clermont, and is an innovator with vision. Importantly, he has the fortitude to say no and not just count votes. Darren Gray has the strength to do what is needed.
UNDERSTANDING TAXES,
John L. Evans Jr., business consultant, promisingpeople.com: As we head into tax season and we prepare like beavers, keep in mind the broader policy ramifications for society. Imagine if the tax policy called for 100% of what you earned; you then, would not go to work. What’s the point? Imagine if it were zero; then you would not have a road on which to drive. This simple reality was dramatically penned by the 82-year-old economist, Art Laffer, in his famous “Laffer Curve” on a cocktail napkin in 1973 at The Two Continents Hotel in D.C. He told me at his book launch that his model is straightforward math, not political. Read all about the history of federal taxes, founded in 1907, in “Taxes Have Consequences” as you gather documents.
DEMINGS’ LATE FATHER, Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League:
As we begin Black History Month, I want to take a moment to honor Freddie Demings, the late father of Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Freddie’s passing last week leaves a great void in our community. Mayor Demings often credits his late father as his inspiration to serve Central Floridians as the first African American police chief, the first African American sheriff of Orange County and in 2018, the first African American mayor of Orange County. Black youth throughout our region owe a debt of gratitude to Freddie and many more like him for the values they instilled in their children which, over time, uplifted us all.
FORWARD WITH SUNRAIL, Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission:
It is an honor to again chair the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission Governing Board, aka SunRail. These are exciting times as we prepare for the transition from state DOT to local control. At the same time, leaders are committed to serving users all the way to DeLand with an expansion slated for 2024. Service to Orlando International Airport, weekend service and a potential shared corridor with Brightline are all being looked at. I’ve requested that mayors Buddy Dyer and Jerry Demings continue to spearhead the Sunshine corridor.
Certainly, the value of SunRail has been proven by development around its stations and the many who no longer rely on their automobiles.
BLACK HISTORY IN KEY WEST, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College:
In 1860, almost 1,500 Africans were freed from slave traders and taken to Key West, where residents cared for them until they could return to Africa. Sadly, almost 300 died in Key West and were buried in unmarked graves. When the graves were discovered in the early 2000s on a public beach, the community pushed for historic recognition, and it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is just one of many examples where communities banded together to protect the history of African Americans in Florida.
CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY,
Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida: Last Monday, a week after multiple mass shootings in California, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announced HB 543, which would allow people to carry concealed weapons without licenses. He mistakenly interprets the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as a fundamental right of all people to carry firearms without licenses. Driving cars is also a right, but because of its inherent danger, people are required to pass a test and get a license. The proposal named “constitutional carry” will be considered during the legislative session that will start March 7, and with Republican supermajority, it is expected to pass.
ELECTION PREP, Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com: For all of those passionate commenters out there, mark your calendars, the next City of Orlando General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7. This year’s election will see Commissioners Antonio “Tony” Ortiz of District 2, Patty Sheehan of District 4 and Bakari Burns of District 6 all out working the streets to earn their opportunity to represent their constituents for another four years at city hall. The mayor is up for reelection, too, but without any other real contenders, he’s likely to stay in that role until he’s ready to move on to something else.
GUN DICHOTOMY,
Michael Slaymaker, professional fundraising executive: How different are we in Florida? Two headlines last week: a) Florida leaders push to allow concealed guns without permits, training. b) 11 victims identified in Lakeland drive-by mass shooting. The push for open-carry guns isn’t about the Second Amendment. It is about intimidation. Some feel the need to be so grandiose and in-your-face about their guns. They want you to live in fear of them. When even you see the Orange County sheriff opposing this senseless legislation, it is time for our “leaders” in Tallahassee to really look at what is best for all Floridians.