Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.
Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County
Looking ahead: ANOTHER GREENBERG ASSOCIATE: This week another one bit the dust. It’s becoming a cliché, “Arrest of associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg.” This so-called “Seminole Mafia” is proving to be as inept as the Watergate burglars. As the noose continues to tighten around these band of bunglers, now with 130 charges against eight different individuals, the rats are beginning to abandon ship and turn on the ringleaders. Unfortunately, these thugs continue to have their apologists in a few misguided political circles. The good people of Seminole County, however, eagerly wait for the end of this scourge and the inevitable victory of the criminal justice system.
John L. Evans Jr., Vice chairman, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
Last week: QUEEN'S WISDOM: OK, you may have heard there was a funeral this past week. In all reverence, the pomp does retain a mystical intrigue. In hearing quotes of her late Majesty, however, one leapt at me: “While not all people can do great things, all people can do little things that are great.” And there you have it: as succinct and compelling a difference between our primary motherland and us, the U.S., as imaginable. You can and will do something great, irrespective of your bloodline. God save the king, yes, but more importantly, may God save liberty, herself the grandest of sovereigns.
Francisco Gonzalez, host, Agents of Innovation podcast
Last week: CDL DRIVERS EXPANSION: Valencia College is one of five state colleges that will benefit from Gov. Ron DeSantis' major $8.2 million expansion of Florida’s Commercial Drivers License (CDL) training, which expands the capacity of CDL training programs by at least 1,200 students per year (statewide). This is a great way that our institutions of higher learning can supplement the real needs of today's economy and incentivize students to go into trades that pay well and have a high labor demand. Another $12 million will be invested into education institutions statewide for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant.
Looking ahead: RUBIO AND ABORTION: Sen. Marco Rubio and I both view abortion as the ending of a human life. Unlike me, Rubio is willing to compromise with his opposition, signing on to a bill that would allow abortions (nationally) up to 15 weeks. I want all abortions eliminated, everywhere. His Democrat opponent, Val Demings, is all in with the pro-abortion industry, allowing anyone to take the life of their child through the viability of the fetus or whenever an abortionist thinks it is OK. For those who stand for human life, voting for Rubio is worth the compromise.
Jeff Hayward, president and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way
Last week: CHANGE MAKERS: We just announced the winners of our annual Change Maker Impact Awards, and we are looking forward to celebrating this year’s honorees Oct. 13 at the Citrus Club in Downtown Orlando. These awards commemorate the individuals and organizations who have made a positive impact on the Central Florida community, including the DeVos Family Foundation — this year’s Change Maker of the Year! I encourage you to join us for this annual celebration. You can find more details and register at HFUW.org.
Looking ahead: SUICIDE PREVENTION: The end of September marks the end of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. One way we recognized this month was by hosting a conversation about suicide prevention with HFUW board member and success coach Annetta Wilson; Cathy Pineda, HFUW’s 211 training and development manager; and Samantha Breslin, licensed mental health counselor at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health. You can view the conversation by visiting HFUW’s YouTube channel. While September comes to an end, the conversation about mental health continues. It is vital that we support each other year-round and help connect those in need to available resources like 988 -- our suicide prevention hotline available for free 24-7-365.
Joel C. Hunter, president, Parable Foundation
Last week: LOVE AND SECURITY: Congratulations to the onePULSE Foundation for winning a $247,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The programming onePULSE is producing is not limited to LGBTQ+ concerns. With their "Love Not Hate'' theme, they are addressing the most active issues affecting us all: racism, violence, civil rights, and other social cancers. The most effective cures for these relationship destroying epidemics come from community organizations that will help us recognize the issues in personal, moral, and educational terms. Thanks to onePULSE and to DHS for recognizing security is not just a matter of physical safety but also of loving better.
Looking ahead: HOUSING ANSWERS: The threat of Orlando's stock of affordable housing diminishing even more, by the expiration of rental assistance and subsidies, is beyond frightening. While governments do not (thankfully) have unlimited funds, maintaining low-income families in their present dwellings is a much better option than evicting them into a market increasingly unaffordable to even average-income families. The cost and complications of building new affordable housing is more problematic than keeping our struggling neighbors in existing buildings. Leaders, please figure out a way to preserve what we already have so that we can focus on expanding housing for those not yet housed.
Viviana Janer, vice chairwoman, Osceola County Commission
Last week: HELPING PUERTO RICO: I was proud to team up with a local Kissimmee church, Iglesia De Dios, and Congressman Darren Soto this week in one of Central Florida’s first efforts to get supplies to residents of Puerto Rico, who are in dire straits in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. The timing is extremely traumatic, as it coincided so closely with the landfall of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s devastation. With lessons learned, our community will have a more focused relief effort. We’ll do everything we can to help because those hurting in Puerto Rico are our neighbors, our friends, our family.
David Kay, chair, Interfaith Council of Central Florida
Last week: MOURNING QUEEN IN U.K.: It's rare to find yourself in the midst of history in the making. We were on vacation in the U.K. when Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Our travel plans took us to London and Edinburgh, Scotland, as historic events unfolded around us. The impact on Central Florida may not seem obvious, but it's estimated that up to a million visitors from the U.K. come here each year. There are also students and others from the U.K. working at Disney World through its Cultural Exchange Program.
Looking ahead: JEWISH NEW YEAR: As the sun sets on Sept. 25, Jews in Central Florida will join others around the world as they usher in the year 5783 on the Jewish calendar. It's the beginning of a month filled with sacred days, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, continuing with Yom Kippur, and culminating with the joyful week-long festival of Sukkot. These holidays preserve observances which were started thousands of years ago and have survived exile, diaspora, persecution, and attempted genocide. It's not for nothing they are known as Yamim Nora'im, "Days of Awe."
Ken LaRoe, Founder, Climate First Bank
Last week: GOVERNOR'S CRUELTY: I didn’t think Ron DeSantis and his despicable track record could stoop any lower, but he and his Republican goon squad have topped it now! The stunt of carting two planeloads of Venezuelan asylum seekers to Martha’s Vineyard on Floridians' tax dollars is disgusting and the manifestation of a profoundly cruel, authoritarian regime.
Looking ahead: Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard divested his company ownership – valued at $3 billion – to a trust and a nonprofit organization. Now all future profits, totaling $100 million annually, will go towards fighting the climate crisis. This big, bold move shows why Chouinard is a shining example of good corporate citizenship. His memoir, “Let My People Go Surfing,” inspired me to build my own successful values-based business and do my own part to give back to the planet and community. I hope many more follow his lead like I did.
A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College
Last week: LIBRARY CENSORSHIP: Recently, a town in Colorado passed a resolution effectively to ban the banning of books at their public library. The town’s librarians state that their purpose is to “promote curiosity, knowledge, and exploration while fostering a safe and inclusive place for our community” – all of which can be done without banning material. Sadly, the Florida-based Moms for “Liberty” group are branching out from targeting books in schools to targeting public libraries all across the nation – wrongly assuming that their ideas conform to all Americans. If you don’t want your kids to read certain books, that’s fine. But don’t limit another American’s right to that content. Period.
Alex Martins, chair, UCF Board of Trustees; CEO, Orlando Magic
Looking ahead: HELPING HISPANICS AT UCF: As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, UCF reflects on our role as a Hispanic Serving Institution and our commitment to help all students reach their fullest potential. Latina/o/x students, faculty, staff and alumni do so much to strengthen our university and community. Additionally, the Seal of Excelencia reminds us to go beyond enrollment and intentionally seek ways to ensure our more than 19,000 Latina/o/x students earn life-changing degrees. We are proud that INSIGHT into Diversity magazine recognizes our commitment to inclusive excellence by awarding UCF the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the eighth consecutive year. Vamos Knights!
Timothy McKinney, Chief Executive Officer, United Global Outreach
Last week: FIGHTING OVER KIDS: I am over narcissistic, abusive and manipulative men dominating loving, caring moms to the point of financial ruin and emotional breakdown simply for fighting to have a custodial relationship with their kids through the very expensive court process. Men who make more money. Wives who bore the children. Politically and/or financially connected men who dominate with motion after endless costly motion because they can. Twisting facts, making accusations, and running up the legal tab. This abuse of power over loving moms that simply don’t have the money to pay the lawyers or experts to make their case must end.
Anna McPherson, past president, Junior League of Greater Orlando
Last week: LIGHTNING STRIKING AGAIN: It’s mid-September and weather weariness is de facto for our neck of the woods. If we aren’t tracking the latest NOAA maps, we’re waiting in carpool lines for the lightning alarms to be over. The drudgery is tiring. Recently I was at soccer practice directly across from Lake Fairview when a storm rolled in. We ran to our cars and luckily were safe. Later that night when the tragic news of the middle school crew team members struck by lightning and lost in the lake broke, I realized how very close we were to that incident. Hang in there, and heed the alarms. According to Google, Oct. 15 is when the 3-5 p.m. monsoons will end.
Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida
Last week: INTEREST-RATE HIKE: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates again on Wednesday by 0.75% to fight inflation. The Fed rate increases pushed mortgage rates in Florida above 6%, making it impossible for many Florida families to get a loan to buy a home and instead are forced to rent. Rental rates are sharply higher because wealthy investors are buying the homes with cash and renting them out. Inflation was mainly caused by artificially higher fuel cost for all industries and people. The Fed policy of further increases is misguided and will cause a recession, instead Congress should impose a profit-tax on oil companies.
Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida
Last week: READY FOR A SCIENCE FUTURE: The announcement of $30 million to support aerospace workforce development programs for Florida’s Space Coast was welcome news for Central Florida. For Volusia, Brevard and Indian River counties, these critical funds will support increasing local workers' high-tech skills and ultimately bring more great paying aerospace jobs. The Space Coast persevered through challenging economic forecasts only a decade ago. Through collaboration with government and the private sector, the region is thriving again, and will continue to launch more rockets for communication and space exploration. The science-future is here, and this investment will continue to position Florida as a leader in space operations by preparing a skilled workforce.
Looking ahead: TWO VISIONARIES: Two gifted visionaries in our Central Florida education system, Dr. Barbara Jenkins and Dr. Sandy Shugart will be honored soon with the James B. Greene award. Both have left legacies that will impact and lift students and the community for decades. Although they both have received numerous awards, the James B. Greene Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Orlando Economic Partnership recognizing community leaders whose work has substantially contributed to the economic prosperity of Central Florida. We are grateful for their vision and fortunate to have exceptional leaders in Dr. Plinski and Dr. Vasquez as successors to carry on the honorees' legacies.
Mark E. NeJame, founder, senior partner, NeJame Law
Last week: COSTLY PLANE RIDES: Gov. Ron DeSantis will cost Florida taxpayers even more than the $12 million that was specifically earmarked for the outbound transfer of “illegal aliens” located in Florida. Those flown from Texas to Massachusetts were never in Florida, until the DeSantis-controlled charter stopped for 45 minutes in North Florida. Moreover, they weren’t even “illegal aliens” as they were all from either Venezuela, Cuba, or Nicaragua, having escaped oppressive regimes and were legal asylum seekers. DeSantis, is under criminal investigation. A class action lawsuit is filed alleging human rights violations and fraud. More suits will follow for his misuse of funds. Florida taxpayers will pay dearly for his theatrics.
Brendan O'Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com
Last week: A NIGHTCLUB OR A BAR? According to city paperwork, the City of Orlando is currently looking to put forth a Land Development Code amendment that will “… clarify zoning definitions to better define the differences between a restaurant, bar, or nightclub," but only if there's a change in ownership or expansion. But nightclubs are often subject to higher impact fees than bars and require more parking than a sit-down restaurant with a defined amount of seating, so the change could make it harder to sell existing businesses if passed by City Council. The code is still under review.
Looking ahead: BLENDING HOUSE: A new blending house called "Forward/Slash" is currently being built out in a vacant warehouse in a section of Winter Park that’s seen a lot of growth in the past few years. It'll specialize in blending new premium blended whiskey, bourbon, vodka, bitters, and liqueurs, using products from quality distilleries from around the country and then mixed and mingled on site. Once complete, Forward/Slash will feature a covered patio, a craft cocktail bar and tasting room, a VIP/event room for classes and private events, and a massive warehouse space to store and mix new products.
Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic
Looking ahead: TURN OUT, SEMINOLE: From a Seminole County resident’s perspective, our various county political and legal areas are a mixture of strengths and eye-rolling challenges. Fortunately, local people are willing to serve. Citizens’ responsibilities are to register to vote by fast-approaching Oct. 11, research candidates, and actually vote. The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections office provides great service. The phone (407-585-8683) is usually answered in only a few rings by a knowledgeable, helpful person. The website is easy to use, including requesting a mail ballot. Email is elections@voteseminole.org. The goal for Nov. 8 is a fair, well-run election with good turnout, free of dirty tricks.
Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host
Last week: SHRILL DESANTIS: Did you notice how Gov. DeSantis' voice rose half an octave in his defense of using taxpayer money to transport asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard? The governor was a tad bit shrill when confronted with political blowback about using human beings in a stunt to score political points. Have you ever heard DeSantis actually voice a real plan to control a border crisis that's been brewing for decades? He bloviates about "owning the libs" which generates a good chuckle from his supporters. However, there is nothing jocular about using people who are desperate to flee poverty, violence, and dictatorships. Take it from someone who spent his summer youth on Nantucket (Martha Vineyard's neighbor) ... the "off islanders" leave right after Labor Day. They were long gone before the governor's voice became so discordant.
Looking ahead: BRODEUR TROUBLE: Jason Brodeur must be sweating like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Brodeur, a Republican state senator from Lake Mary, has been linked to a group of Seminole County "ne-er-do-wells." Some are facing jail time ... others still awaiting trial. Brodeur is taking the Sgt. Schultz approach to it all with "I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!". Besides having his hands full in a bid for re-election, Brodeur is facing the prospect of getting canned as president of the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is none too happy about getting sucked into a political rumpus after Brodeur's hand-picked assistant was convicted on a charge informally known as "dirty politics." The news media are having a difficult time getting Brodeur to comment. When you run, you sweat.
Gloria Pickar, president emerita, League of Women Voters of Orange County
Last week: VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 2: Your ballot for the upcoming general election will have three amendments to the Florida Constitution originated by the Florida Legislature. One amendment would limit citizens' ability to be architects of their own state constitution: Amendment 2 Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC). The Florida League of Women Voters opposes this amendment. The CRC meets every 20 years to consider changes to the constitution. Although the CRC would benefit by updates to include bipartisan appointees and unbundling amendments so each addresses only one issue, eliminating the commission altogether will remove a generational opportunity for citizens to revise their constitution. Vote No.
Looking ahead: ELECTION DENIERS: Polls forecast that more than half of Florida’s House delegation will be representatives who deny Joe Biden is the legitimate U.S. president. PolitiFact reports that 65 percent of Republican voters still believe the election was stolen. FiveThirtyEight.com predicts that 60 percent of American voters will have an election denier on their Nov. 8 ballot and almost every Floridian will have at least one. Among Florida’s 28 congressional districts, 18 have steadfast election-denying Republican candidates, nine more have questions or serious doubts, and 15 have better than a 96 percent chance of winning. This is alarming. Trusted elections are essential for democracy.
Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur
Last week: SPACE EVOLUTION: SpaceX had a record-breaking 31 launches in 2021. By July of this year, it had already passed that number, is scheduled to hit as many as 60 launches by the end of 2022, and doubling that by the end of 2023. Chemistry defines a catalyst as a substance which precipitates or accelerates a condition or event. Industries are transformed by those catalysts. Remember unfolding maps to find your way? GPS was transformational. DVDs, CDs, VHS? Streaming transformed those. And for space, it’s reusable rockets. To the victor belong the spoils and, true to form, SpaceX will continue to transform space exploration as it revolutionizes mankind’s dreams of colonizing it.
Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman
Last week: QUEEN'S FUNERAL: Who didn't watch Queen Elizabeth's funeral among the world's population of nearly 8 billion. The tribute became a distraction from the constancy of disturbing news coming at us from across the world. Most viewers admired the dutiful Queen for her seven decades of service, her way with words, her straightforwardness in various circumstances, and her love of family, country, dogs and horses. Watching the Queen's humor in the Platinum Jubilee ad of her sharing tea and a Ma'amalade sandwich with Paddington Bear will further brighten your day. Google YouTube: Ma'amalade sandwich, your Majesty?
Looking ahead: STATE COURT'S ABORTION STANCE: "Florida's top Court telegraphs its intent on abortion." Conservative Florida Supreme Court judges want to end women's rights to reproductive choice. Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody asked the Court to dismiss an injunction that would have halted Florida's 15-week abortion ban with no rape or incest exceptions. The Court, appearing unanimous, granted Moody's request for an emergency motion that tried to suspend enforcement. Hours later, taking abortion out of the pre-vote limelight, the Court vacated its order, claiming "clerk's error." Ask Gov. DeSantis: does he support ending the constitutional 1980 privacy clause protecting reproductive choice? If you care about body privacy, only vote to renew Justice Jorge Labarga.
Kannan Srinivasan, former president of Asian American Chamber of Commerce; CEO of Global KTech
Last week: TERMINAL C: Orlando International Airport Terminal C welcomed his first international flight on Monday. The first flight came from the U.K., followed by one from Brazil. This terminal will house 15 gates and will handle international and domestic flights. Airport officials call it the “global gateway to the most visited destination in the country.”
Looking ahead: NAVARATHRI: The Indian diaspora in Florida will be celebrating Navarathri starting Monday. This is the most important festival for Hindus all over the world. The celebration of this nine-day, nine-night Hindu festival, dedicated to Maa Durga and her nine manifestations of the cosmic energy, is as much known for its deep religiosity as for its invigorating dance and cultural events.
Nicole Wilson, Orange County commissioner, District 1
Last week: ROSH HASHANAH: We have reached Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is a time for those who observe to shake off the past year, reflect, and look ahead at who we want to be in the coming year. Judaism is rooted in public service, good deeds, and compassion. To the Jewish community, L’Shana Tova, may you have a good year!
Looking ahead: DISASTER RESILIENCY: Last week, we saw Hurricane Fiona wreak havoc on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean at large. As we consider housing policy, transportation infrastructure, and school capacity, we must keep climate migration and natural-disaster resiliency at the top of mind. From a policy standpoint, we must make bold moves on housing supply and meaningfully invest in modes of transportation with a low carbon footprint. With thoughtful local policymaking, we can be prepared to accommodate and mitigate the aftermath of natural disasters.
Michael Zais, political blogger for thedrunkenrepublican.com
Last week: ATTENTION TO BORDER CRISIS: Joe Biden’s destructive open-border policies have allowed nearly 4 million immigrants to enter the country illegally, causing a humanitarian crisis. Border towns are being destroyed -- bombarded with numbers much more than their populations; thousands of immigrants have died on the dangerous trek to the border. The left-wing media has virtually ignored all of this. But Ron DeSantis sends 50 illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard to force some critically needed attention to this issue, and the Democrats and media lose their minds. Beyond belief.
Looking ahead: DOUBLE STANDARD: Interesting how Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are being accused of everything from kidnapping to human trafficking in transporting immigrants from the southern border to so-called “sanctuary cities.” For over a year, the Biden administration’s been busing and flying thousands of immigrants all over the country in an attempt to obscure the border mayhem he deliberately created. And this is somehow different from these governors doing precisely the same thing? How, exactly? Should we charge Biden with kidnapping and human trafficking too? Hey governors, keep those buses rolling and planes flying!