Letters to the editor

What are Miles’ qualifications?

After reading the reports of Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley’s and challenger Mrs. Nancy Miles’ campaign platforms, I mentally started what a friend of mine calls a “Ben Franklin” list, which is basically the listing of pluses and minuses for each candidate in order to make an informed voting decision on Jan. 31. Certainly, one of the cornerstones of our representative form of government is the ability of anyone to seek public office. Given that, I didn’t think it fair to hold Mrs. Miles to the same standard of accomplishments as Mayor Bradley, who, while running a city with a $140 million budget, exponentially grew the general fund reserve, never increased property taxes, ushered in many new businesses to Winter Park, increased road paving, lowered the cost of city services, etc.

I was eager to read how Miles plans to convince voters that the mayor needs to be replaced. Instead I got that she decided to run because a few citizens (and possibly one commissioner) have complained about not being heard or given enough speaking time at Commission meetings, and that two years is not enough time to evaluate and implement a plan to dispose of property often described by past and current commissioners as a “significant eyesore” to Winter Park. I would like to encourage Mrs. Miles to spend more time providing information and specific, relevant examples of any accomplishments and how she plans on increasing the upward curve established by the current mayor and Commission. If she were to do that, it would certainly make it much easier for all Winter Park voters as they fill out their own Ben Franklins.

—Ed Sabori

Winter Park

Thousands homeless

Orange County Public Schools has received $8,000 in donations to help more than 3,200 homeless students in our schools. The money was raised through a local phone bank held at WKMG Channel 6 studios during the station’s live newscasts from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28. The phone bank was also in response to the story about Central Florida homeless students, which aired on “60 Minutes” the night before on CBS.

Orange County Public Schools has identified 3,241 students as homeless as of Thanksgiving. Of these 3,241 students, more than half are in elementary schools, a statistic aligned with the nationwide steady rise of homelessness among families with young children. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth estimates that 10 percent of students receiving free and reduced meals may be experiencing homelessness.

In Orange County Public Schools, the true number of homeless students could reach more than 10,000, but there are great challenges in identifying this population of students due to the stigma associated with being “homeless.”

Fore more information, visit www.homeless.ocps.net or contact [email protected] or 407-317-3485.

—Shari Bobinski

Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman

Charitable giving: Be aware this holiday season

Caveat emptor — or let the buyer beware — is common-sense advice that most of us try to heed. But buyers are not the only ones who should beware: Goodwill Industries of Central Florida encourages donors to be just as cautious and selective when choosing the organizations that will receive their gently used clothing and household items, both during the holiday season and all year.

A proliferation of donation bins in convenient locations can make it difficult for donors to discern which charities are legitimate and which are actually for-profit entities or even fraudulent charities. That is why a little bit of research before you donate can ensure that your donations have the greatest impact in your community.

Before you donate, check with your state attorney general or secretary of state’s office to find out if a charity is legitimate. You should also check with a charity-rating agency such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar, or use online resources such as GreatNonprofits or Philanthropedia to find out more about specific charities, including how much of their revenue goes to overhead and administrative costs.

Goodwill has spent decades earning the public’s trust. Donors can rest assured that their items are going to a reputable organization that has the community’s interests at heart. Donated goods are sold in Goodwill stores and online, and more than 92 percent of revenues earned go to fund critical job training, career services and other supports that put people to work, strengthen families and build stronger communities.

Instead of buyer beware, let’s try to be donor aware this holiday season.

—William G. (Bill) Oakley

President and CEO

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida