Central Florida 100: Dyer, vouchers and going crazy from the heat

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

Rudolph C. Cleare, executive vice president, The Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation

Last week: Across this great country, the sound we heard this past week was the heart of black folk breaking as we learned that the Supreme Court had endorsed the practice of partisan gerrymandering which allows corrupt politicians to custom-design districts that ensure the safety of their election/reelection and secure their hold on power. So much has happened at our expense. So much has brought us to new lows of diminishment and disregard. But soon we shall arise, and stand within the gates, and say as did the Mahatma Gandhi: “There is a higher court than courts of justice.”

Lee Constantine, commissioner, Seminole County

Last week: Floridians are blessed to have a beautiful, award-winning state park system. They are so popular, it’s hard to find one that isn’t overcrowded. Case-in-point is Wekiwa Springs State Park on the border of Orange and Seminole counties. On any given day, traffic on Wekiva Springs Road is backed up nearly a mile and may take as much as an hour to enter the park. Fortunately, this intolerable situation is being addressed. With a $1 million appropriation, the Park plans to add a turn lane and improve the entrance system. Long overdue, this will be a great enhancement. Now the state, with Seminole and Orange counties, must ensure safer traffic flow near the park.

Glenton Gilzean Jr., president/CEO, Central Florida Urban League

Last week: The Central Florida Urban League has the distinct privilege to once again honor members of our law enforcement community on Friday. Annually, we hold the Lt. Debra Clayton Honoring our Heroes event to recognize the selfless acts of our men and women in uniform. This year, we highlighted the incredible work of local School Resource Officers: (Officer Erica M. Camacho, Deputy Daniel Sneed, Officer Anthony Ruggiero and Deputy Leila Freeze). These four individuals are invaluable members of their school community and are truly making a positive difference in the lives of our youth. I would like to thank them and all the other SROs for another year as role models for our children.

Tim Giuliani, president and CEO, Orlando Economic Partnership

Last week: The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and Virgin Trains USA joined federal, state and local elected officials to take the next important step toward building a multi-modal transportation system that advances Orlando as a future-ready region. To celebrate Virgin Trains USA’s future rail connection between Orlando and Miami, leaders pounded red hot spikes during a groundbreaking ceremony at the recently completed Intermodal Terminal Facility at MCO. The new high-speed rail, which begins service in 2022, will make MCO the first airport in the country to have a full train station inside its terminal facility.

Francisco Gonzalez, philanthropy director, National Review Institute

Last week: It’s not even 2020 yet, but the Orlando Sentinel couldn’t wait to not endorse Donald Trump. We don’t even know who the opposing candidate is and the editors of this paper have already endorsed anyone but Trump. That’s dangerous to democracy. I didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, but as of this moment, I plan to in 2020. He has overseen an economic boom, destroyed ISIS in Iraq, gutted thousands of regulations. He has kept so many promises, including moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, appointing great justices to the courts, and continuing to prevail over fake news.

Looking ahead: John F. Kennedy once said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Today’s Democratic Party, however, is following the lead of a self-proclaimed socialist who wants the government to cancel all student loan debt. This is a disgrace against those who have served their country in uniform in order to be able to afford a college degree; and to others who have worked their way through college to avoid student loan debt; and to still others who have responsibly worked to pay off their student loans. Stand up for yourself.

Viviana Janer, vice chair, Osceola County Commission

Looking ahead: It feels like 100 degrees outside in these early days of summer. So if you need a break from enjoying the natural (and hot!) wonders of our Sunshine State as July 4 approaches, take a moment to go shopping for disaster supplies. We’re in hurricane season so now’s the perfect time to make sure you have nonperishable food such as cereal, canned fruits, vegetables, juice, crackers, rice, pasta and that old standby, peanut butter. Make sure you have an adequate supply of water, along with flashlights, fresh batteries, tool and first aid kits and sanitation products. Most importantly have a plan if disaster strikes.

David Kay, rabbi, Congregation Ohev Shalom

Last week: In 2016, 85% of women murdered in the U.S. were killed by a man they knew. More than half were killed by a current or former male intimate partner. After Courtney Irby’s estranged husband rammed her car, she got a temporary order of protection, which included barring him from possessing firearms. Knowing he had guns and wouldn’t comply, she took the weapons and turned them over to the police — and was arrested for burglary. I’d have done the same in her place. Kudos to my representative in the Florida House, Anna Eskamani, who called for the charges to be dropped.

Looking ahead: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all … are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted…deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government…as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” Holds up pretty well after 243 years, doesn’t it?

J. Matthew Knight, physician, founder of Knight Dermatology

Last week: Gov. DeSantis authorized a statewide rollout of Miami-Dade County’s IDEA Exchange pilot program (which has taken 300,000 used syringes of the streets). Critically, Miami has the highest new HIV infection rate in the country, and Orlando is not far behind. These exchanges help limit the spread of blood-borne diseases in our communities and connect residents to testing, prevention, and rehabilitation resources. These programs also serve another important purpose: IDEA Exchange personnel estimate that they’ve helped reverse over 1,000 opioid overdoses by distributing the drug naloxone at their facilities. Yes, needle exchanges are controversial – but they’re badly needed across Florida.

Looking ahead: I got a call from Ohio – apparently my Social Security number has been suspended. It was just one of the 5 billion spam phone calls Americans receive every month. That’s why I was glad to read that the Federal Trade Commission is suing a Kissimmee man responsible for orchestrating billions of robocalls over the past decade. Not only are robocalls annoying, they’re dangerous: Tufts Medical Center was recently besieged with 4,500 spam calls in two hours, hampering their ability to communicate with patients and doctors. This nuisance is out of control – it’s time for lawmakers and telecom giants to say enough is enough.

Ken LaRoe, founder and CEO of First GREEN Bancorp

Last week: I had a text conversation with Lake County commissioner, Leslie Campione, and she tried to convince me that my birthplace, Lake County, was some kind of idyllic place. I told her that she was wrong, that it is a regressive, backwards backwater. Then as recent proof, last week the Orlando Sentinel published two articles supporting my position: “Confederate statue will Draw attention, shame” and “Rep. Sabatini responds with ‘MAGA’ after reporter struck.” I’m ashamed.

Looking ahead: Now we have Florida Banking Commissioner Ron Rubin filing a racketeering lawsuit against Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis alleging blackmail, intimidation and a “pay to play” demand. Unbelievable! When will the voters of Florida start electing politicians who will root out corruption rather than adding to it?

A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College

Last week: When One Fire Church acquired the City of Refuge recovery and transition center in Mount Dora on June 1, director John Tompkins and his wife Mia had no idea that tragedy soon would strike. Lightning struck a nearby tree, traveled through the tree into underground gas pipes and into the building, which then caught fire. Sadly, the 16 men who lived at the center lost everything. The Tompkinses are devastated but have faith in the community. They have worked tirelessly to make a differences in the lives of others. Now, it’s our time to do what we can to help them.

Looking ahead: In March, Florida teachers dropped from 45th to 46th on the National Education Association’s annual report of average teacher salaries. Shamefully, things are only going to getting worse. The Orange County Classroom Teacher Association struck a deal with Orange County Public Schools that ensures teachers will continue to earn thousands of dollars below the national average. Florida teacher salaries average $48,000 compared to $59,500 nationally. With the union’s proposed pay increase of a mere 4 percent, Florida teachers might bottom out the rankings next year. Are our children not important? What will it take to motivate decision-makers to pay teachers a fair salary?

Anna McPherson, past president, Junior League of Greater Orlando

Looking ahead: With the holidays coming up, parties happening and kids getting in the pool, it’s time to set all the ground rules for party-time swimming. Adults can employ the “water watcher” duties, where one adult is the designated swimming pool person, wearing a whistle or other physical reminder so that kids are always supervised in a group setting. Handing the whistle off every 15 minutes or so lets everyone be safe and have a good time. Little “big” kids need to be reminded that if they see someone struggling, they aren’t to rescue them — yell for an adult and get help immediately for a friend or sibling in distress.

Khalid Muneer, broker/owner Jupiter Properties Central Florida

Last week: We have always respected teachers as an important people that shaped our lives and their low salaries has always been a soft spot for us. So when the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association bargaining team and Orange County Public Schools made a deal for a new contract June 21, I wonder if anybody noticed that they essentially cut teachers’ salaries because of the increase in insurance premiums. A 4% pay increase isn’t going to help an underpaid profession if their insurance premiums increase at a higher rate. This is another slap to the face of our educators in Orange County and hence needs to be revisited to make sure the teachers are provided an adequate living wage to have a standard of living they deserve .

Looking ahead: With the political season heating up, the coming weeks should see a few candidates in the presidential race on the Democratic side start to break away from the pack. This normally happens after the few primary debates.

Muhammad Musri, president, Islamic Society of Central Florida

Last week: Calls for action on the border crisis grew louder last week as everyone saw the heartbreaking images of a father and his little girl who drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande and as reports of thousands of children being detained in overcrowded facilities are lacking basic food and hygiene. In Homestead, a facility now holds 2,300 immigrant children, and it is one of 168 operated in 23 states by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is time to demand a comprehensive immigration reform at the national level because children do not belong in detention centers.

Looking ahead: In the last two weeks Riviera Beach paid $600,000, and Lake City paid $500,000 in bitcoins to hackers who infected their networks with ransomware encrypting their files and paralyzing their systems. These Florida cities were forced to pay even though most experts recommend not paying ransoms as there’s no guarantee the criminals will deliver the decryption key. Ransomware attacks on state and local governments are on the rise as 170 cities were targeted by ransomware since 2013. The Trump administration should invest more in cyber-security and detaining the criminals hacking our cities rather than building walls and detaining children as refugees.

Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida

Last week: It’s summer and it’s brutally hot outside. It’s summer in Florida, so the temperature and humidity is almost inhumane. My eyes nearly fell out of my head looking at last month’s bill which had nearly doubled from the previous month. I’m already running my air conditioner at a higher temperature. And I’m not alone — folks who use the Next Door app have been equally bemoaning their bills. I’m already bracing myself for the coming months’ bills. On June 24, Orlando broke a record for reaching an all-time high for electricity usage. And did I mention that it’s only June?!

Looking ahead: The Fourth of July holiday is a great time to celebrate our country’s independence. There are so many exciting things to do right here in Central Florida — especially if you’re lucky enough to extend it to a four-day weekend this year. A Watermelon 5K run, parades, festivals and concerts. With Orlando being the No. 1 destination booked by AAA for the holiday, and with lower gas prices, traffic is expected to be crazy. My neighbors put on a pretty good show with their tent-bought fireworks, so I’ll happily stay home, avoid the traffic and enjoy the ka-booms!

Cole NeSmith, executive director, Creative City Project

Last week: One of the most important parts of a creative city is experimentation. The Timucua Arts White House on Summerlin, south of downtown, has become a place for experimentation. Most of the programming at this home-meets-venue is musical in nature. But June 20, producer/director Jeremy Seghers, staged “Three Stories: an experiment of theatrical exquisite corpse.” Three unrelated stories unfolded on the three levels of the White House venue. And a fourth piece united them together. It’s experiments in art like these that keep Orlando’s creative momentum going. And it’s visionaries like the curators of the Timucua Arts White House that make it possible.

Looking ahead: Somehow, summer 2019 is upon us and July has already arrived. And July 4 is reason for Central Floridians to don their tank-tops and flip-flops and bike to one of many community celebrations. Altamonte Springs hosts its “Red Hot and Boom” — featuring teen pop artists and fireworks — at Cranes Roost Park on July 3. Winter Park hosts something a bit more “Winter Parkian” the morning of July 4. It’s the “Olde Fashion 4th of July Celebration” featuring the Bach Festival Society Choir and Brass Band. Downtown Orlando hosts its fireworks celebration on Thursday night. And Winter Garden continues the festivities on July 6 with blues music.

Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com

Last week: Mayor Buddy Dyer hosted his Trump-delayed State of the City June 24 where he laid out successes of the last year and dropped some hints on what to expect for the next. Highlights included a nod to Creative Village (Parramore) and its “education elevator” of kindergarten to university-level academic offerings, sports events, Main Streets, and our own moon race — the race to 5G.

Looking ahead: The new owners have re-opened their updated Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors and it looks great inside and out. Yes, it’s not the same smoke-fueled, barely functioning dive it was before, but legally speaking, that type of business wouldn’t be allowed to operate anymore. Calls from outlets like Orlando Weekly to bring it back to its “glory days” of over-pours, leaky ceilings, and lit cigarettes in the gloom of day drunk obscurity are romantic, yes, but completely inconsequential. The new Wally’s represents a new Mills 50 that tips its hat to its dirty days but struts forward into a more gentrified future. Do with it what you will but this is the reality we live in now.

Kathleen Oropeza, co-founder, FundEducationNow.org

Last week: Thanks to the Orlando Sentinel for shining a bright light on how private schools receiving voucher dollars are free to discriminate against any child for any reason, including sexual orientation. Written policy handbooks at these schools, which are published and easy to find, target LGBTQ youth for expulsion and censure. Why on earth would Florida politicians pass a “Hope Scholarship” voucher allowing bullied students, who might be LGBTQ, to “choice” into a private school to be judged and harmed? It seems the political goal of diverting a billion tax dollars to private religious schools each year is far more important than ensuring the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ children, who are among Florida’s most vulnerable students.

Looking ahead: The politics of school “choice” will play a role in the 2020 elections. Candidates and incumbents are starting to see that starving public schools to fund private religious options is getting hard to defend. In addition, more parents are realizing that taking a voucher for a private school does not mean they’ve made an informed choice. Private means the state is hands-off. Choice puts all the responsibility on the parent, absolving the state of any guilt or obligation when a student receives a subpar education. What would public education look like today if the state had just done its job and invested in equity and quality for every public school student?

Jim Philips, retired longtime radio talk-show host

Looking ahead: What other companies will follow Harris Rosen’s lead in stopping contributions to Florida’s school vouchers program? Heathrow-based AAA is pondering withdrawal. Rosen pulled the plug after Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell continually pointed out that tax credits provided by business were being handed to schools that have anti-LGBTQ policies. Hundreds of millions in public tax dollars and corporate tax credits have been used by some “voucher schools” to discriminate. Public funding of discrimination?…who knew? State politicians and their corporate benefactors now know. Watch for quick action to resolve this embarrassment.

Larry Pino, attorney and entrepreneur

Last week: Donations to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral have something in common with donations to President Trump’s reelection campaign – the lion’s share is coming from small donors. For Notre Dame, 100% of the first $4.1 million has flowed from small private donors in America and France emotionally connected to Notre Dame; not one dime has come from the French billionaires who promised millions. Similarly, out of the record-breaking $30.3 million raised by Trump in the first quarter, over two-thirds have come from small donations averaging just $34.26. I am reminded that successful Central Florida nonprofits, whose lifeblood depends on donations, have learned that while dollars matter, donors matter even more.

Joanie Schirm, GEC founding president; World Cup Orlando 1994 Committee chairman

Last week: Once again, Harris Rosen steps up for protecting human dignity. Last year, Rosen made a commitment of $1 million to the new Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity, where education programs abound to fight bullying, discrimination, and hatred. As we all should know, homosexuals were targeted by the Nazis in the Holocaust. To build a better world, we must stand up for one another. Rosen now represents one of several companies choosing not to use corporate tax credits that support the State of Florida’s education voucher programs because many private funded schools have blatant anti-gay discrimination policies. Time for the Legislature to pass anti-discrimination legislation.

Looking ahead: For transport in comfortable modern fast passenger trains connecting Miami to Orlando and critical points in between, 2022 can’t come soon enough. More than a mere vision, high-speed rail is a vital part of the daily lives of millions of rail passengers throughout Europe. After three decades of well-conceived private sector plans then killed by politicians who denied Floridians this obvious alternative to congested roadways, the time has come. At OIA, Virgin Trains officials (formerly Brightline), pounded ceremonial red spikes surrounded by politicians symbolizing the progressive change to meet the public demand. Patrick Goddard, President of Virgin Trains, rightly promises a transportation transformation.

Ed Schons, president, Florida High Tech Corridor Council

Last week: Kudos to Orlando officials for recent work to further diversify our economy and raise the profile of our region. If Amicus Biologics accepts their incentives and decides to establish a research and development presence in Lake Nona’s Medical City, our region could soon be the birthplace for treatment of rare genetic disorders. Movie lovers may already be familiar with Amicus Biologics, whose founders were portrayed by Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell in “Extraordinary Measures.” As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, the company’s proposed gene-therapy facility would bring a $100 million investment in infrastructure and high-wage jobs – “extraordinary” without a doubt.

Rick Singh, property appraiser, Orange County

Last week: This week brought rare good news for Central Florida’s housing crisis, as the Orange County Commission is considering changing current regulations to allow for more low-cost housing options in the county. According to the Census Bureau, over 110,000 households in Orange County are “housing cost-burdened” — meaning that they spend more than 30% of their gross income on housing. Loosening regulations to open more options for housing is only one step of many needed. It is heartening to see action on the affordability issue. It’s a serious issue and needs “out of the box” thinking to cause positive, measurable change for the residents of Orange County.

Looking ahead: Disney has again resorted to legal challenges over the property valuations assessed by the Orange County Property Appraiser’s office. While disappointing, this comes as no surprise, as they have attempted to reduce their fair share of property taxes year after year. Sadly, the result is less funding for Orange County’s public schools. OCPA will continue to use fair, accepted assessment practices for every property in Orange County – it is our duty to hold everyone accountable to the same standards. We are confident that our valuations of Disney properties will be upheld.

Michael Slaymaker, professional fundraising executive

Last week: Hundreds of people flooded Leu Gardens to celebrate Joel Strack’s Quinceanera. Joel is a leap-year baby born on February 29. Joel looked fabulous in the various gowns he wore throughout the evening. Joel entered hospice care recently. This celebration was a great way for his biological family from Illinois to meet the numerous chosen family members Joel has acquired throughout his years in Orlando. Joel was the founder of the Pride Parade, a founding member of the Orlando Gay Chorus and front line LGBT activist for decades. He portrayed characters at Disney and did training at Disney University.

John Thedford, entrepreneur, founder of SMART Financial

Last week: On June 24, Mayor Dyer delivered his State of the City address. As a business owner, I was pleased to learn that Orlando is “future ready” and that our city is making much-needed plans for continued growth. We should all be proud that Orlando is now known as one of the best cities to start a business, competing with other major cities to attract both business investment and top quality human talent. Coupled with the recently announced Virgin Trains from Miami to Orlando, what was once only known as a world-class vacation destination can now be known as a premier business metropolis! Congratulations Orlando! We are launching into a fantastic future!

Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity

Last week: This week the national domestic-violence hotline shared what we have been hearing across the country. Domestic violence is increasing at an alarming rate. Calls to for help are up 36 percent. Murders of women and mass murders by abusers are also on the rise. Shelters throughout Florida are filled to capacity. What’s happening? Has the #MeToo movement threatened the power many abusers feel they deserve? We know loss of control causes many to become violent. Whatever the cause, we need to pay attention. Lives depend on it. If you or a friend need help, call 1-800-799-7233.

Michael Zais, Political blogger for the Drunken Republican

Last week: The Orange County School Board approved a salary increase for teachers that for many, will be eaten up by higher health care costs. But where is the outrage for the historically abysmal compensation for our teachers? Who among us can’t think fondly of teachers that have had profoundly positive impacts on our lives? I certainly appreciate the funding challenges, but it’s all about value and prioritizing…not excuses. And this isn’t just a local issue…not by a long shot. How many millions of Orange County tax dollars get sucked up as we are forced to educate children of illegal immigrants?