Michelle Ertel, a director on the board of the Oviedo ~ Winter Springs Optimist Club, commenting on why kids and community matter. The Optimist Club sponsors the 7th annual Cops ‘n Cars for Kids Car Show, January 21, 2012 at the Oviedo Mall. Length: 03:41
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January 12, 2012
Commentary: Cops ‘n Cars
Winter Park Mayoral Election
On January 31, 2012, voters in the city of Winter Park will elect a mayor to serve for the next three years. The candidates are the incumbent mayor Ken Bradley and the challenger Nancy Miles. In separate interviews each candidate discusses issues such as the fiscal health of the city, the State Office Building swap, the Fairbanks corridor, Sunrail and their vision for the city’s future.
(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)
Political Ads
Altamonte Springs mayor Pat Bates discusses her recent encounter with attack ads in her re-election campaign and Dr. Rick Fogelsong, political science professor at Rollins College comments on the need for increased transparency to identify the sponsors of shadowy electioneering communications organizations. These independent political organizations can raise unlimited funds in the attempt to influence even local elections. Length: 18:33
(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)
Superintendent Search
The Seminole County School Board has initiated a search for a new superintendent to replace retiring superintendent Dr. Bill Vogel. In this feature we will discuss the selection process with the search coordinator, SCPS Human Resources Director John Reichert. You will also hear from members of the Community Superintendent Search Advisory Committee who were chosen as community representatives to assist in evaluating the applicants. Mr. Reichert will explain how the public can offer input about the candidates for superintendent. Length: 18:33
(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)
December 8, 2011
Commentary: Reading Mentors
Connie O’Hanlon, coordinator of the Reading Mentors program at Jackson Heights Middle School in Oviedo, Fl., urges volunteers and parents to join in helping kids develop vital reading skills. She describes the program and gives practical suggestions for ways to improve reading. Length: 3:48
Homeless: A New Chapter
Only 6-months into his new position, Jim Hartmann, Seminole County government manager, is launching a new chapter in the county’s attention to the needs of its homeless population. He’s about to spend $900,000 of your tax funds to support enhancements to services provided to local homeless people and he’s hired his first senior level executive — Val Marie Turner, as his community service director — to be in charge of amping-up this nascent homeless initiative Length- 27:09
(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck. Photos – Charles E. Miller for CMF Public Media.)
Carey on Carey
Seminole County Board of County Commission Chairman, Brenda Carey, reviews her recently completed term as chairman and comments on the issues coming up in 2012 for her next term as chairman. Length 26:47
(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck. Photos – Charles E. Miller for CMF Public Media.)
A Boss for the City of Oviedo
The city of Oviedo, Fl., has a new boss – Kathryn Breazeale, recently appointed city manager. Councilwoman Cindy Drago describes Breazeale’s qualities, performance benchmarks, other candidates for the job, the search and recruiting process, the involvement of the public in the process, and what she believes Breazeale brings to the position. We also speak to other sources about the process by which Breazeale was promoted, asking if best practices were followed to assure whether city residents and city staff got the best available candidate from the recruiting actions taken by their elected officials. Length – 34:39
(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck) Selected photos – Charles E. Miller for CMF Public Media
November 10, 2011
Commentary: Thanksgiving 2011
In recognition of Thanksgiving Day 2011, Central Florida Matters presents this commentary montage from voices that matter on issues those voices believe matters – giving thanks. Length – 04:29
Managing the Chronicle
Ray Bush is general manager of Knight Newspapers which publishes the Seminole Chronicle, a weekly community newspaper which primarily serves the communities of Oviedo, Winter Springs, Geneva and Chuluota, in southeast Seminole County, Florida. Ray Bush took the reins of the Chronicle 4 months ago and he has made many changes in the Seminole Chronicle. He also oversees the publication of The Central Florida Future. He discusses his vision for the community newspaper and the future of print media. Length – 16:15
(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)
