Letters to the Editor

Send your thoughts (400 words or less) to Managing Editor Jenny Andreasson at [email protected]

Lots to do in Winter Park

Can’t quite get over the turkey hangover? Feeling gray over a Black Friday experience? If you need help getting in the holiday spirit, visit downtown Winter Park; there is a lot going on this week. Thursday, Dec. 1, starting at 6:15 p.m. in Central Park, join the Bach Festival Choir and stunning Tiffany windows at the Morse Museum’s Christmas in the Park. The following night, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce hosts the 22nd annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. in Central Park. If you still have a Grinch in the group, bring them down to the Central Park stage on Saturday morning for the 13th annual Leadership Winter Park Pancake Breakfast, which benefits local elementary schools. By now you will definitely be humming “The Little Drummer Boy”… just in time to join the Winter Park Chamber as we host the 59th annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade. The parade starts at 9 a.m. Pick out a good spot on Park Avenue and you might just see our honored guest, Santa Claus.

One last note, after leaving a late meeting recently, I was reminded that the Avenue looks beautiful after dark! The ice skating rink is bustling, white lights line our beautiful downtown, shop windows are decorated and holiday cheer abounds at the ice cream shops, wine bars and restaurants. Give yourself an early gift: come out and enjoy our marvelous city. Happy holidays!

—Patrick Chapin

Winter Park Chamber of Commerce president

Maitland shouldn’t outsource landscaping

I awoke this morning and decided to read my monthly newsletter from the city of Maitland. I begin reading Brian Dierks article titled "Building a Sustainable Community" about using drought-tolerant plants and other efficiencies that will help create a better community by using less water. As I read, I can only think about the $25,000 that was given to the builder of our new fire station for landscaping.

This $25,000 contract has been and remains a bone in my throat for a number of reasons, which I will illuminate for you.

1. Brian Dierks and his department is, was and always will be the best choice for landscaping and plantings for any and all properties within the city of Maitland. The reason why we have a landscaping department is to do work such as this.
2. If it is the best business and financial decision that Maitland give such lucrative contracts to outside developers such as Wharton-Smith then why should Maitland have a landscaping/grounds maintenance department at all? If this $25,000 Wharton-Smith contract is correct then Maitland should always contract to outside developers all the time for all of our landscape plantings, if that is really the best choice.
3. This always should have been a job performed by our own landscaping department and city workers. We/Maitland plants and maintains all of the other city parks and properties — why not this one? The explanation that was given that the developer, Wharton-Smith, will guarantee the plants is a red herring and crapola. You all know it was as well do I. Who is kidding whom?
4. The proposal to the city manager shows no mention of any drought tolerant plants or design.
5. The space surrounding the new fire station that is going to be landscaped with plants can be described as minimal at best.
6. When you look at the list of plants to be provided you will see that the largest single financial expense line item is for 2,250 — two thousand, two hundred and fifty — plants ranging in size of 1-, 3- and 5-gallon containers at a cost of almost $14,000. In all of Quinn Strong Park we do not have two thousand, two hundred and fifty plants; in all of Lake Lily Park we do not have two thousand, two hundred and fifty ground cover plants.

We can cover half a football field or more with two thousand, two hundred and fifty 1-, 3- and 5-gallon ground cover plants.

Last year, I stopped a $5,000 contract from being issued that was total bull crap, otherwise it would not have been halted because of my shining a light on how much nonsense it was.

This fire station landscaping contract smells similar to me and should to you too.

I am now finding myself involved in our city once again. I care less about the development of our downtown as that will or will not happen in its own time and rhythm as history has proven. I am more concerned about how we spend our money.

What I am going to do is ask that we all become the best guardians of our money that can possibly exist. All of us, you, me, the city manager and all of the city employees must become the best gatekeepers of our money and turn our city into the financial model for all communities to strive for.

No longer will the catch phrase "well it’s government" be acceptable for the misspending of our precious few dollars, because if you think for a moment that we are spending all of our money with a 100 percent level of efficiency then we must still be waiting for the Tooth Fairy and Santy Claus to arrive.

There has to be a better way.

—Bruce Grossman

Maitland

Syphilis cases on the rise

The number of cases of syphilis infections has been increasing in Orange County. So far this year, 198 cases of infectious and early latent syphilis have been reported, which is nearly a 23 percent increase during the same time period last year when 175 cases were reported to the Orange County Health Department. In cooperation with the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of STD Prevention and Control, OCHD is working to lower the infection rates of syphilis. A comprehensive syphilis education and outreach campaign, including public service announcements on billboards, has been developed and will be launched this week.

Syphilis is spread by intimate contact with an infected partner. Left untreated, it can lead to severe disease and even death. Studies indicate a 2 to 5 times increased risk for transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the presence of syphilis. Syphilis may also be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her baby. These infants are at risk of lifelong disabilities and death. Individuals are encouraged to be aware of the signs and symptoms of syphilis. In the initial stage, a sore might be visible in the genital area or the mouth (usually painless). In the second stage, a rash on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, moist lesions in the mouth, and/or unexplained hair loss may develop. When sores and lesions are present, they are extremely infectious, and intimate contact with them should be avoided. Early syphilis can include periods of “latency” with no outward signs or symptoms.

The best way to prevent syphilis is not to have sex with an infected partner. Therefore, it is important to know your partner’s syphilis status. A single intramuscular injection of penicillin, an antibiotic, will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. Additional doses are needed to treat someone who has had syphilis for longer than a year.

Proper use of a latex condom can help protect against acquired HIV, syphilis and a number of other sexually transmitted diseases. Several local health centers provide free or low cost screening, diagnosis and treatment services. For more information on local low cost health centers or for the Orange County Health Department’s STD health center hours and fees, visit www.orchd.com or call 407-836-2553.

—Dr. Kevin M. Sherin

Director, Orange County Health Department