Create your own opinions

To the editor:

I would first like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope that our economy will improve so everyone can be employed.

I read, with some interest the letter by Mr. Jerry Mobley, of St. Cloud, who spoke negatively about our Osceola County School Board, and he even went as far as to call them disparaging names.

I, for one, am very pleased with our School Board – all four members who have attended their meetings without the drama of leaving early or creating any fuss over silly, schoolchild antics.

Have meetings heated up? Certainly! I would suppose that many, many political meetings have become heated. However, the more important observation is what happens after that heat.

Do the members work things out and make decisions on what is correct, rather than in whose best interests those decisions will impact?

My answer is that four members have acted in the best interests of not only our schoolchildren, but also the people who pay for our school system, the taxpayers. Time and again, the minority of people are more vocal in their critical opinions of our School Board members, and, laughingly, even speak in support of the one member, who embarrassingly represents district 1 (Jay Wheeler).

His antics include walking out of regular meetings and not attending other meetings, some which are in support of the school staff he allegedly claims to be a big fan of. Everyone who reads the News-Gazette has to have seen his latest ranting, condemning everyone who doesn’t support his odd and peculiar ways as being out of touch, crazy or unprofessional.

It’s interesting that his comments seemed to have described himself rather than those who are seated on our School Board, working at meetings, (not just School Board meetings) and fairly representing the Osceola County taxpayer.

It is also known that the “other” School Board member sent emails to alleged supporters asking them to write emails and letters to the editor to chastise the School Board members. Those receiving emails included Mr. Frank Iaquinto, who Mr. Mobley praised. Perhaps they are a part of the “other” member’s plan? It won’t help as they neither reside nor vote in district 1.

Opinions are just that, opinions, and these are mine and I’m positive there will be more opinions coming, even critical of mine. I would simply ask that everyone look at the School Board members yourself and do not take the simple opinions of those of us who would write to the editor.

Create your own opinions about who represents you, and who is truly working for you.

Mark Rosenbauer

St. Cloud

Thanks for the support

To the editor:

From Dec. 27-29, high school basketball teams competed at the Kissimmee Civic Center in the 31st Annual Great Florida ShootOut. Lake Wales High School’s Highlanders dominated the tournament and finished with a 69-52 victory over Peachtree Ridge High School from Suwannee, Ga. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and schools who participated. The teams, including three local high schools, had the opportunity to be seen by college recruiters and test their skills against some of the best teams in the Southeast.

The Great Florida ShootOut is a broad-based community effort to present a nationally-recognized basketball tournament to Osceola County. Pete Edwards, tournament chairman, is to be lauded for his leadership in organizing this year’s event.

Thirty-nine sponsors supported the event, including ESPN, city of Kissimmee, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Central Florida Power Equipment, Rental World, Circle Y Groves, Century Link, Starling Chevrolet, Shane Swan State Farm Insurance, Peter Freuler CPA, Terry’s Electric, Florida Christian College, Schoolfield Properties, Cunningham’s, Street Outdoor, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Travelers Insurance, JMJ Family Practice, Bouchard Insurance, Osceola Memory Gardens, Park Place Behavioral Center, Kissimmee Dental, Conrad Thompson Funeral Home, CenterState Bank, Designs Plus, Celebration Suites, Mikell Plumbing, Vulcan Materials, Kissimmee Bay Country Club, Johnston Engineering, Osceola News-Gazette, El Osceola Star, 20/20 Media, Killer Grafix, Pinnacle Awards and Promotions, Photography by Skip Stowers, SWAT, Heart of Florida Guardians, Broussard and Cullen and Osceola Heritage Park.

Special recognition goes to the Osceola County Tourist Development Council for supporting the ShootOut and they’ll be happy to know that the out-of-state teams brought many followers who stayed extra days in local hotels while visiting attractions, eating in our restaurants and otherwise spending money in Osceola County. In addition, thanks to Florida Lottery for its generous funding for promotion and advertising.

This tournament wasn’t just about crowning a new champion and bringing dollars to our economy. More than 40 Rotarians, their family members and volunteers put on the family-focused event, from concessions, statistics, team liaisons, scheduling and the hundreds of other details required to put on a successful tournament. Boy Scout Troop 826 is also acknowledged for providing irreplaceable help.

Furthermore, the proceeds of the tournament, expected to top $10,000, will be directed back into the community. The Rotary Club of Kissimmee works to ensure that their events send a message to the community that our motto of “Service Above Self” isn’t just a promise but also is practiced; that student athletes are recognized not just for their skills on the court but their achievements in the classroom, that local charities receive the benefit of our efforts, that scholarships are provided for deserving students, that dictionaries are given to third-graders and Osceola County is remembered by all who participate as a great place to visit.

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Kissimmee, thank you Osceola County for enabling us to bring this event to you for more than three decades. With your support, we’ll continue to provide a great tournament for years to come.

Robert Dent

president

Rotary Club of Kissimmee

Lighten up

To the editor:

I am writing about graphic horror violence in today’s movies. The question is, is it really necessary?

What’s the point of actually enjoying seeing someone maimed or mutilated by zombies or something? Did it ever occur to anyone that there could be a possible link between the violence in these movies and the current rise in the violent crime rate? It could be true.

I remember when the “Mortal Kombat” games first came out. There was a rise in the crime rate. This stuff makes “Robocop” look like Disney World. Besides, it’s not like this stuff happens in real life.

It’s a fact that zombies or things like that don’t even exist anyway, so it’s not like we need to be desensitized to a situation that can never happen. People who like that stuff need to lighten up.

Brent Thompson

St. Cloud