Letters to the editor

Mayor skips over residents

Ken Bradley, using the power given to him as mayor of Winter Park, altered the order of the agenda at the May 14 City Commission meeting. He chose to move the Action Items, which 15-20 citizens were waiting to speak to, to the end of the meeting. He skipped over them to ordinances that two nonresidents wanted to speak to and ignored the citizens that had been there for five hours. I know he has the authority to do this, but this action says that two non-resident architects are more important to the mayor than the 13 citizens who stayed to the bitter end.

And this is civility month!

—Sally Flynn

Winter Park

Move forward with Wekiva Parkway

Dear Mayor Howard Schieferdecker,

With respect, because I do appreciate you, I must heartily disagree with your premise that we should further—repeat further—delay the Wekiva Parkway (“Wekiva Parkway” Maitland City Talk published May 17). It has been superbly planned and is well past due. If such thinking had prevailed during the Great Depression in the 1930s, we might still not have The Grand Coulee Dam, nor the Hoover Dam, as well as other improvements that became so incredibly rewarding to our country. Their construction costs concerned many at the time, expressing that much-needed funds be spent elsewhere. While this is not nearly of that proportion, it is quite representative of our need for greater actual national productivity. The rich northwest corner of the ever-finer Central Florida area is one of our best and most promising areas. The important east-west two-lane connection, Highway 46, is still considered one of Florida’s most dangerous highways. This will be corrected with the overdue completion of the tangible productive construction of our Beltway. It and its accompanying infrastructure will promptly add immeasurably to our area’s value, well-being, beauty and economic base.

What might better benefit monetary funding — the expressed concern here — is the merging of Maitland into Winter Park, which conceivably could increase productivity and lessen by more than half the bureaucratic overhead and duplication of services.

Thank you.

—Dean Fritchen

Winter Park

Protect society’s most vulnerable

Each May, we celebrate Older Americans Month to honor seniors for their contributions to our families, communities and society. At a time when economic hardships and state budget cuts are putting Florida’s elders at risk, this sentiment is especially worthwhile. With fewer resources available, many of our most vulnerable neighbors are being forced to move to nursing facilities and sacrifice their independence.

Meanwhile, research shows that relatively healthy seniors benefit from staying in their homes rather than moving to more restrictive environments. The familiar atmosphere — and the freedom to make one’s own choices — promotes healthy aging. It’s also a more economical solution for taxpayers.

Seniors First is committed to standing in the gap by providing practical assistance that enhances quality of life for older adults in need — and makes it possible for them to live independently. In 2011, we served more than 6,500 clients in Orange and Seminole counties through meal deliveries, home repairs and enhancements, personal care and help with daily activities. These services often mean the difference between an empty stomach and a satisfying meal, between isolation and companionship, between shame and dignity.

Seniors First can’t do this important work without the support of our community. We depend on the help and encouragement of local businesses, foundations, individual donors and volunteers. For information about volunteer opportunities or to donate, call Seniors First at 407-292-0177, or visit seniorsfirstinc.org

Let’s take time to remember — and give back to — those who have given us so much.

—Marsha Lorenz

President

Seniors First