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Additional Feature Information

Michelle Ertel Board member, Oviedo ~ Winter Springs Optimist Club facebook | website | bio

• Transcript
• Cops ‘n Cars for Kids Car Show

Pictures

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Winter Park. The city has a population of 28,000 and a city government staff of 520 employees. The current operating millage rate is 4.0923 and the general fund budget for 2011-12 is $42.5 million.

The mayor serves a 3 year term and has a 12 year term limit and is an equal voting member of the 5 person city commission. The salary for the mayor is $3000 per year.

In the following interviews, each candidate will respond to a series of questions on the key issues facing the city. The candidates are heard in the order in which their names will appear on the ballot on January 31, 2012.

Principal speakers

	Ken Bradley Length: 17:22 Ken Bradley Campaign website | Facebook
	Nancy Miles Length: 17:38 Nancy Miles Campaign website | Facebook

Additional Feature Information

• Orange County Supervisor of Elections
• City of Winter Park

CMF Public Media podcasts related to the feature

• Park Avenue History Alive! (05/12/2011)

Extended Interview & Pictures

	Ken Bradley and Desta Horner Candidate for Mayor of Winter Park Length 40:24
	Nancy Miles and Desta Horner Candidate for Mayor of Winter Park Length 22:44

In her re-election campaign in November 2011, Altamonte Springs mayor Pat Bates was the subject of a series of political attack ads. These mailed ads and robo-calls were sponsored by an electioneering communications organization or ECO. They accused the incumbent mayor Bates of “wanting to raise the gas tax, supporting Obama’s plan to increase the national debt” and of being “too scary for Altamonte Springs.” (see the link below at Central Florida Political Pulse to see one of the flyers). Mayor Bates’ opponent did not pay for these ads. The ads originated from an outside group headquartered in Tallahassee who targeted Mayor Bates because of her position as president of the Florida League of Cities. Voters in Altamonte Springs reelected Ms. Bates to her position as mayor.

Electioneering communications organizations, sometimes referred to as “527 committees,” can raise and spend unlimited funds from donations by individuals, corporations, unions and lobbyists. Unlike the $500 limitation on donors to a particular candidate’s campaign, ECO’s can accept checks in any amount from a donor. However while they may not spend money in support of a specific candidate, they may advertise against the opponent. This leads to a negative tone and attack-style in the ads. (For information on the rules for these organizations see the link below to the Florida Department of State handbook.)

The activities of these groups are protected by the constitutional right to free speech. However, Dr. Richard Fogelsong, professor of political science at Rollins College, asserts that it is important to monitor these groups through increased transparency. Fogelsong believes the names of donors should be more readily available so that voters and the media can identify the source of the funding and judge the validity of the claims in the ads.

It is unusual for these electioneering communications organization to play a role in attempting to influence the outcome of local municipal elections in a small town like Altamonte Springs. However between 2005 and 2010 spending by these organizations in Florida has grown by 53%. (For additional information of the growth of independent groups in Florida see the link below.)

Principal Speakers

Patricia Bates Mayor, Altamonte Springs, Florida web | Florida League of Cities

Dr. Rick Fogelsong Professor of Political Science at Rollins College web | bio

Additional Feature Information

• Report on independent spending in Florida 2006-2010
• Central Florida Political Pulse
• Florida Electioneering Communications Organizations Handbook

Extended Interview

Patricia Bates with Desta Horner Mayor, Altamonte Springs, Florida Length 17:58

Dr. Rick Fogelsong with Desta Horner Length 23:07

In 1990, Seminole County voters approved a change from an elected to an appointed superintendent for public schools. The school board has the responsibility of selecting the new chief administrator of the district. In 1992, after a national search, Dr. Paul Haggerty was chosen as the first appointed superintendent. He served for 11 years. A second extensive search selected Dr. Bill Vogel who has served for 9 years.

Under Dr. Vogel, the Seminole County School District has been rated A for the last four years, parent surveys show a satisfaction rate of 95%, Seminole County students earned the highest scores of any Central Florida district in FCAT reading and math and the graduation rate exceeds 90%. The excellence of the schools makes Seminole County a magnet for families and businesses moving to the area.

But since 2008 funding for the district has declined. Property tax revenues have shrunk with the drop in home values and state funds per pupil have been reduced dramatically. Since 2008, Seminole County Public Schools have lost $1,039 per pupil in funding. The employees have been reduced by 700 positions including an almost 20% cut in the district office staff. Recent figures show that the current budget shortfall could reach $30 to 40 million. Without new revenues, additional cuts including school closings may be necessary.

These are the conditions both upside and downside that will face the new superintendent. The new leader will manager a budget of $468 million, almost 8,000 employees and 64,000 students. The applicant will be offered a three year contract with a salary in the $130,000 range and additional benefits.

For the students and families of Seminole County, these challenging circumstances make the selection of the next superintendent a crucial decision with consequences that reach far into the future.

Dr. Wayne Blanton of the Florida School Board Association told the Seminole County school board as they began their search that “there is no more important decision you will make as a school board.”

The school board began the process in Sept of 2011 and will make their final decision in April of 2012.

Rather than hiring an outside consultant to manage the search, the school board selected one of the district’s most experienced administrators to coordinate the process. John Reichart is Director of Human Resources and Personnel Staffing. The board then initiated an advertising campaign to attract qualified applicants. Next they created the Community Superintendent Search Advisory Committee made up of citizens of organizations and leaders selected by each board member to provide assistance and input. The board will make their final choice from 5 candidate finalists.

At every stage the process is open to the public who may attend meetings of the board, the advisory committee and even request to see the applications. A reception will be held with the 5 finalist so that any resident may come and meet the candidates and share their opinion.

Bios

	John Reichert Director of Human Resources and Personnel Staffing, Seminole County Public Schools. web		Matthew Davies Committee Chairman, Board Appointee
	Laura Joralemon President, Seminole County PTA, committee member web | facebook		Tony Gentile Seminole Uniserve committee member web
	Peter Schoemann Leadership Seminole, committee member web | facebook		Michael Rodriguez Hispanic Taskforce, committee member

CMF Public Media podcasts featuring Seminole County Public School issues

• School Budget Cuts (11/10/2011)
• Starting School on a Shoestring (08/31/2011)
• Teaching in Hard Times: Commentary (09/08/2011)
• Commentary: Making Decisions in the Best Interests of Our Students (05/12/2011)

Pictures

Extended Interview

John Reichert with Desta Horner Director of Human Resources and Personnel Staffing, Seminole County Public Schools Length – 37:31

CMF Public Media encourages you to post your own reaction to this commentary.

Below, you will find useful links related to the commentary, including a transcript, biographical information and related pictures.

Should you wish to be considered for a commentary segment on CMF Public Media, please click on the “contact” link to send us an email which should include adequate information for us to understand your issue. And please include a daytime telephone number where we may reach you.

Additional Feature Information

Connie O’Hanlon coordinator, Reading Mentor program Jackson Heights Middle School web | bio | transcript

• Seminole County Public Schools Dividend program
• “Just Read Florida” Guide for Reading Mentors

Links to other podcasts produced by CMF Public Media featuring issues related to reading skills

• OTTER: Older Teachers Teaching Early Readers (8/27/09)

Pictures

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

After the recent “60 Minutes” segment on homeless school students in Seminole County, the uniformed could easily get the impression that homeless students are the only homeless issue in the county. Understandable, but far from reality. There are homeless single women, homeless military veterans of both genders, homeless seniors and the addicted and mentally ill homeless, each needing care and attention. And the recession is only adding to their numbers.

While the public school district and faith based organizations in the county are focusing on the homeless students – there is much energy and attention being directed to the remainder of the homeless population. It’s this bigger picture that Hartmann and Turner are starting to write.

Val Marie Turner is not yet on staff – that won’t happen until the first of the year — but we ask Hartman to tell us who she is, how she got hired and what he expects of her. And we ask for an update on the issues surrounding the $900,000 which the county, Hartmann and Turner are getting set to appropriate.

Additional Feature Information

Jim Hartmann manager, Seminole county government web | bio

• Val Marie Turner bio
• CBS – “60 Minutes: Hard Times Generation – Families Livin in Cars
• CBS – “60 Minutes: Hard Times Generation – Homeless Kids

Links to other podcasts produced by CMF Public Media featuring issues related to being homeless in Seminole County

• Children that are Hurting
• Homeless Senior Citizens
• Faith Community’s Conversation on Homelessness
• Homelessness — Sidebar
• Homelessness: A Community Conversation #6
• Homelessness: A Community Conversation #5
• Fallout and Followup
• Homelessness: A Community Conversation #4
• Homelessness: A Community Conversation #3
• Homelessness: A Community Conversation #2
• Homeless Forum (#1) Followup (12/9/2010)
• On Being… Homeless in Seminole County: The Problem & the Players
• On Being… Homeless in Seminole County: The People
• On Being… Homeless in Seminole County: The Possibilities
• Kids of HOPE
• Coping with the Economy in Seminole County: Shepherd’s Hope Health Clinic
• Coping with the Economy in Seminole County: Sonshine Food Pantry
• Homeless Students in Seminole County – Families in Transition
• Commentary: Feeding the Hungry
• Commentary: Homeless Issues in Seminole County
• Commentary: Ending Homelessness
• Commentary: Affordable Health Care Services for the Homeless

Extended Interview & Pictures

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

	Jim Hartmann and Stephen McKenney Steck Manager, Seminole county government Length – 44:45

Chairman Carey speaks about two key executive level staff members employed during 2011 – the county manager and the county attorney. She speaks about economic development issues – like the county’s new development plan, the failure to land a much ballyhooed national photo voltaic research facility, and the prospects of the high tech corridor known as Seminole Way.

She also addresses the role county government plays with the financially beleaguered public school district, with SunRail, and explains the current stand-off in salary negotiations with the union firefighters. And she reviews the results of the county’s redistricting of commission and school board districts.

Carey, who is also an elected commissioner serving district 5 in the northern part of the county, has twice served in the role of chairman. The first time in 2008, and then again in 2011 and she’s now starting her third term in this office.

The extended interview with Brenda Carey is also posted below. You’ll hear Carey offer further comments not heard in this podcast.

Additional Feature Information

Brenda Carey Chairman, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, and district #5 commissioner web | bio

• Economic Development Strategic Plan (31.5MB!)
• Redistricting Maps (1.7mb)

CMF Public Media podcasts featuring issues related to Seminole County Government

• Carey: 1-on-1 (1/13/11)
• Commentary: Seminole County Matters (10/13/11)
• SunRail and You (7/26/11)
• Seminole County’s New Manager (5/12/11)
• Mass Transit in Central Florida (4/22/11)
• Code Enforcement Ride-Along (3/10?11)
• Game Changer? (SEMATECH – Photo Voltaic project, 1/13/11)
• Dallari: 1-on-1 (12/9/10)
• ½ Cent Sales Tax Proposal (10/21/10)
• ½ Cent Sales Tax (9/30/10)
• Eslinger: One-on-One (5/27/10)
• Dallari: Mid-Term Update (5/27/10)
• 1-on-1: Dallari– part 2 (12/10/10)
• 1-on-1: Dallari (part 1) (12/31/09)

Pictures

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

Extended Interview

Brenda Carey with Stephen McKenney Steck Chairman, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, and district #5 commissioner Length 59:59

Hear Brenda Carey speak about what she’s learned – conduct-wise—from being chairman for two terms and whether she would, if she could, ask for any “re-do’s” on issues coming before the commission and her campaign for reelection as a commissioner.

Carey also speaks about the county’s water system and relationships with the legislative delegation, the Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger, the new Seminole County school board chair – Tina Calderone, and the local media.

The extended interview concludes with Carey’s latest personal project – “Leading Ladies.”

Below, we have posted helpful links to documents relevant to this feature… as well as still photos in our on-line slide show of each person interviewed.

The extended interview with each speaker is also posted below. You’ll hear each person offer further comments not heard in this podcast.

Additional Feature Information

	Cindy Drago Councilwoman, city of Oviedo web | bio		Dr. Michael Hoover Professor, political science, Seminole State College web | bio
	Lynn Tipton Executive director, Florida City & County Management Association web | bio		Dr. Michael Abels Instructor, School of Public Administration, University of Central Florida (and former 25 year city manager) web | bio

• Kathryn Breazeale’s bio
• Kathryn Breazeale’s employment contract (11 pages)
• City Manager Job Description
• Administrative policy on recruiting
• Relocation expenses from former city manager

CMF Public Media podcasts featuring issues related to the city of Oviedo

• Oviedo Elections – No Contest (9/9/11)
• Oviedo Budget – 2012 (8/11/11)
• Bouquets & Brickbats – A Survey of Oviedo Residents (7/8/11)
• The Nitty Gritty – Behind the Oviedo Survey (7/8/11)
• Oviedo On The Park (3/10/11)
• Historic Downtown Oviedo (3/10/11)
• Oviedo/Winter Springs Joint Economic Development Task Force (3/10/11)
• Oviedo’s Hospital Future? (2/14/11)
• Oviedo Marketplace: A Gem in the Weeds? (2/14/11)
• 2010 State of the Cities: Oviedo & Winter Springs (2/2/11)
• Economic Development – Twin Cities Update (11/11/10)
• Schenck on Andrews (9/30/10)
• Schenck: Housekeeping or Substance? (9/30/10)
• Mayor Persampiere, part-2 (9/30/10)
• Andrews: Revenge or Justice? (9/9/10)
• Mayor Persampiere (9/9/10)
• Commentary – A Memorial to an Oviedo Pioneer (9/9/10)
• Commentary. Charter Review (City of Oviedo) (4/15/10)
• Annual State of the Cities Luncheon (1/27/1)

Pictures

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

Extended Interviews

Cindy Drago with Stephen McKenney Steck Councilwoman, city of Oviedo Length 38:52

Hear councilwoman Cindy Drago tell about questions Kathryn Breazeale asked her during their interviews, and she offers information about Breazeale’s employment contract, her annual salary, perks, benefits and Breazeale’s severance. Councilwoman Cindy Drago also responds to questions about expenses associated with the external search and relocation for the former city manager, plus whether Breazeale’s previous city government jobs provided the additional experience necessary to be a city manager

Dr. Michael Hoover with Stephen McKenney Steck Professor, political science, Seminole State College Length 15:46

Hear Seminole State College political science professor, Dr. Michael Hoover, describe his academic credentials leading to his points of view and responds to my questions about media bias in reporting on candidate searches. Additionally, Hoover talks about the necessary “fit” between a manager and a governing council. He also addresses aspects of public involvement in the candidate interview process, and the “damned if you do – damned if you don’t” quandary of internal versus external searches, whether one search can be said to be more important than the other, and how a council should step up to take responsibility for its search practice choices.

Lynn Tipton with Stephen McKenney Steck Executive director, Florida City & County Management Association Length 34:29

Hear Lynn Tipton, executive director of the Florida City & County Management Association, expand on the importance of matching candidate experience with the scope of services offered by a city. She addresses the expense factors involved in searches as well as the current economic vagaries impacting searches. Tipton also speaks about an institution’s administrative code describing how or if searches will be conducted and responds to my questions about media bias in the search process

Dr. Michael Abels with Stephen McKenney Steck Instructor, School of Public Administration, University of Central Florida (and former 25 year city manager) Length 36:54

Hear Dr. Michael Abels, a former long serving city manager and now instructor at UCF’s school of public administration, describe his municipal leadership experience. He notes whether current economic challenges in municipal government leads to the availability of more or less recruitable candidates. And, like Hoover, he speaks to the “damned if you do – damned if you don’t” search quandary and the issue of how media treats candidate searches.

The voices you’ll hear are adult and child residents of Winter Springs Florida, recorded at Trotwood Park, and residents of Oviedo Florida, recorded at Friendship Park, commenting on for what they are thankful

CMF Public Media encourages you to post your own reaction to this commentary

Should you wish to be considered for a commentary segment on CMF Public Media, please click on the “contact” link to send us an email which should include adequate information for us to understand your issue. And please include a daytime telephone number where we may reach you.

Pictures

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

Ray Bush got his first break at the Orlando Sentinel but it was as a reporter for the twice weekly community newspaper in Savannah, Tennessee where he received the inspiration for his vision for The Seminole Chronicle. His hopes that it becomes “the heartbeat of the community.”

Mr. Bush works for the Gannett Media Company which publishes The Chronicle, the Central Florida Future and the Saves coupon book. He is also an adjunct professor of Journalism at the University of Central Florida.

Bios

Ray Bush General Manager of Knight Newspapers Seminole Chronicle University of Central Florida Student Newspaper

Links to other podcasts produced by CMF Public Media featuring issues related to media

• Broadband & the Innovation Economy (06/01/10)
• Aboraya: One-on-One (01/21/10)
• Commentary: CMF 2nd Anniversary (08/11/11)
• Beyond Broadcast – A Media Mashup & Voices from the Street (08/03/09)

Extended Interview

Ray Bush with Desta Horner General Manager of Knight Newspapers Length – 1:07:50