Letters to the Editor

Minority speaks out

Congratulations to Ken Bradley and to everyone that voted for him. You have received a mandate to continue business as usual. So when you see one more parcel of your land given away, zoning changes made and more density close to our treasured downtown, do not blame the minority that tried to make you “see” what is happening.

Basically Florida Hospital and the Adventist Health System now own “our town.” Until enough citizens/voters are willing to be informed and brave enough to step forward, our Winter Park will slowly be eroded and we won’t “see” it until it is too late.

—Sally Flynn

Winter Park

Push for two-way communication

While I genuinely appreciated Ms. Miles sending out an email congratulating Mayor Bradley on his reelection, I couldn’t help but question her agenda in selecting the Winter Park Observer editorial (“Elections aren’t a social death sentence” published Feb. 2) and Letters to the Editor (Published Jan. 25) links she listed in her thank you email piece sent Feb. 4 (especially the link in support of Newt Gingrich). Her statement that, “they offer valuable insights into city government and the electoral process,” sounded a bit hollow given that she did not include links expressing opposing views. Specifically the one by Ms. Heidrich (“Communication strong” published Jan. 11), which notes that the city of Winter Park offers more than 30 venues for public input and participation regarding city government issues.

More importantly, if Ms. Miles is considering her first run at political office a “lessons learned” experience, I would offer the following advice: provide a venue for two-way communication and the archiving of opinions from all sides. In fact, I would suggest that she ask one of her most ardent supporters (a sitting Winter Park commissioner) to do the same. Said commissioner currently sends out a monthly editorial email newsletter with a one-way direction of communication that, while offering the option to send in an opinion, does not provide archival capability, which would allow us full and open view from all sides — now that would really be a great example of providing valuable insight into what the 70 percent who voted for Mayor Bradley were really thinking. Wow, what a novel idea; talk about transparency!

—Ed Sabori

Winter Park

New biz opens

Jazz Tastings, Maitland’s only venue to offer live jazz six days a week, has opened its doors at 164 Lake Ave. The aroma filling the air is that of splendid tapas Chef Jose Bofill has poured his brilliance into, while the bouquet of our wine selections will make your night completely fulfilled. Rory and Cathy Frazier brought a little bit of the New York Jazz scene to our back door. For that, we say thank you! Welcome to the good life!

—Cindy Jeffers

Manager, Jazz Tastings

Learn how women fooled the doctor

In 1873, Dr. E.H. Clark stated, “…female education will produce monstrous brains and puny bodies … flowing thoughts and constipated bowels.” Now in 2012 women have completed advanced education courses but they also have endured sexual discrimination and harassment from that date even up to today.

The American Association of University Women’s Legal Advocacy Fund (LAF) released “Crossing the Line: Sexual Harassment at School” in November. Within three weeks, this research was covered in more than 1,300 news outlets including The New York Times and The Washington Post, TV and radio appearances including National Public Radio, CNN, CBS, ABC and PBS News. Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report and Education Week also featured stories on the AAUW report focusing on sexual harassment and discrimination in how students are treated by other students and even by faculty, especially at the seventh grade through high school levels.

The American Association of University Women has awarded eight LAF Campus Outreach Grants to colleges connected to AAUW branches across the country, including our local Orlando/Winter Park Branch with the University of Central Florida, through a grant submitted by Dr. M.C. Santana, associate director of visual arts and designs.

Come and learn what educated women do today: did you know women now count as 52 percent of veterinarians? Learn more at our breakfast meeting at the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, New England Avenue at Interlachen Avenue, in Winter Park, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. Contact 407-282-1023 to make a reservation.

—Joan Rinaldi

AAUW Member

Orlando/Winter Park Branch

Investing in America’s youth

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Though he was originally offering advice about firefighting, his words also apply to America’s investment in its youth.

Numerous studies show that the country’s prison population consists largely of people who faced numerous difficulties in their youth, such as homelessness, abuse, drug and alcohol dependence, and poor academic achievement. By helping to guide youth away from these troubles and toward a better future, we stand a better chance of helping them avoid greater difficulties down the road.

In 2011, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida paired 146 young people with mentors in the local area. These youth had the opportunity to learn career development, job readiness training, communications and presentation skills, and social competencies through Goodwill’s GoodGuides youth mentoring program.

Thirty-four Goodwill agencies in 25 states, all of which have a long history of helping people of all ages find productive work, are helping 12- to 17-year-olds develop the skills they will need to complete school and move into successful careers.

In every community in which it operates, including here in Central Florida, Goodwill generates opportunities for people to achieve economic stability, and build strong families and vibrant communities by offering job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

Through GoodGuides, Goodwill is enabling youth who are at-risk for delinquency to find good jobs and succeed in life. Once enrolled in the program, youth are paired with trusted, caring volunteer mentors from the community. Each mentor provides a supportive ear and guidance that can lead youth to opportunities and resources they need to prepare for post-secondary education and employment. In addition to four hours of monthly mentoring, young people take part in activities to build career awareness and development.

The program serves young people who are least likely to have trusting relationships with adults and peers due to a variety of risk factors, such as failure in school due to poor grades or low attendance, prior juvenile delinquency, family violence and other challenges. Ultimately, the program offers these youth a pathway out of poverty and crime. The purpose of Goodwill GoodGuides is to make sure the vast majority of young people coming through the program do not offend or re-offend, and that they meet specific goals.

After all, when it comes to America’s youth, if we can apply an ounce of prevention now, it’ll surely save us a pound of cure later.

Just one hour a week to mentor a young person in our community can make all the difference. If you would like to become a mentor or if you know of a youth that could benefit from these services, please contact 407-235-1500.

—Bill Oakley, CEO

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida