Commentary: Cops ‘n Cars
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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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)
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.)
Children That are Hurting
11/10/11, Central Florida Matters, Podcast | Tags: Education, Family & Kids, Government, Living, People
“Children that are hurting” is a phrase the Seminole county public school district’s board chair Dede Schaffner speaks to describe more than 1,700 homeless students served by the district. Joined by Brenda Carey, chairman of the board of Seminole county government, and Dr. Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Northland – A Church Distributed, they have formed a collaboration of faith-based organizations in the county to work side-by-side with the district to confront student homelessness, decrease it and, perhaps, if successful, apply that strategy in the future to address other categories of homeless people in Seminole county. This is the story of their first steps. Length 27:15
(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck)
School Budget Cuts
Seminole County Public Schools face a serious budget shortfall. Originally set at $20 million, new revenue declines announced by the state put the amount at $40 million. John Pavelchak, executive director of finance and budget explains the fiscal situation.
Meanwhile, six Seminole County citizens tell us what specific cuts they would recommend to the programs in the schools.
Length: 19:50
(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)
New Gun Law
In 2011 the Florida Legislature passed a law which imposes penalties on city and county governments that do not repeal all local gun ordinances. Local laws prohibiting guns in parks, in government buildings or shooting within city limits were eliminated throughout the state on October 1. This new law provoked a controversy that can be heard in this feature as supporters like Rep. Jason Brodeur and opponents like City of Oviedo Police Chief Jeff Chudnow and Leigh McEachern speak out. Length 21:34
Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner
Commentary: Teaching in Hard Times
Mark Huaman a teacher at Winter Springs High School commenting on how his students, his colleagues and his family keeps him dedicated to a profession that has faced a year of criticism and salary cuts but still brings great personal fulfillment . He believes teachers matter. Feature length – 04:23
Concussions
The risk of concussion when playing football or other contact sports can be a real concern for parents of young athletes. This feature with coaches, parents, a sports medicine physician and State Representative Chris Dorworth provides answers about how to recognize the symptoms and how to protect against concussions. Feature length – 25:52
Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner
Selected Photos – Charles E. Miller
Selected Photos – Charles E. Miller
Faith Community’s Conversation on Homelessness
On this Heard in Central Florida you’ll hear remarks from Dr. Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Northland – A Church Distributed in Longwood Florida and comments from more than 20-other faith based leaders and others in Seminole County Florida as, for the first time, they gather together to consider a county-wide faith-based initiative to work parallel with other organizations in the county to address homeless issues…particularly those of the county’s 1700 homeless public school children. Feature Length — 1:41:10
