Assignment 5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

· Title: “High waters might pose some big problems - Hidden docks, wakes risk to boaters, property” by Stephan Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0912%21September%2B12&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E63B57E914C4F8

o Summary: In this article from the September 12, 2018 issue, the author states that higher than normal annual rainfall has occurred in the Orlando area causing the water levels in lakes to rise. (This issue also occurs when hurricanes or large storms bring higher than normal rainfall.) The author describes two main issues caused as a result, which are difficult for local governments to address due to their limited authority on waterways.

o Problem: The first issue resulting from this is that docks become submerged under the water, and are no longer visible to boaters and jet skiers. This is resulting in damage to water vehicles, and the docks, when vehicles impact these docks. The second issue is the water level is causing the shoreline of the lakes to creep up closer to people’s homes. Wakes from boaters are causing waves of water to push up onto yards, and even into homes, causing personal property damage.

o Who: This issue has property damage implications for: property owners on the shoreline, including homes, yards, and docks. Also boat owners, jet ski owners, and water recreation rental companies. There are also personal injury implications for: those engaged in water recreation, those living on the shore, those walking the shore, those swimming in the lake.

· Title: “Orlando prepares environment-plan update - Rain barrels may return; plastic bags may not” by Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0912%21September%2B12&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E63B5842EB3CF8

o Summary: In this article from the September 12, 2018 issue, the author summarizes the results of environmental regulation impacts stemming from downtown Orlando resident complains on growing pollution concerns.

o Problem: There is the possibility that officials may present a policy banning Styrofoam containers, commonly used for takeout food and leftovers, as well as plastic bag and straw bans for vendors who do business at city events and facilities. The complaint is that these items end up floating in waterways and in storm drains. There are resulting cost of sale implications to businesses, as well as impacts to customer services offered and customer convenience.

o Who: Business owners in Orlando, vendors at city events and facilities, customers who want to take leftovers home after eating at a restaurant, customers at city events, downtown residents, tourists, water wildlife.

· Title: “Orlando prepares environment-plan update - Rain barrels may return; plastic bags may not” by Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0912%21September%2B12&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E63B5842EB3CF8

o Summary: In this article from the September 12, 2018 issue, the author summarizes the results of environmental regulation impacts stemming from downtown Orlando resident complains on growing pollution concerns.

o Problem: Water from rain gutters contribute to excess storm water runoff, causing erosion and pollution. In the past, rain barrels had been offered by the city to residents in order to catch rain runoff, and the local government is again considering offering this. However, the previous program ended due to lack of funding.

o Who: Residents and business property owners due to erosion damage, city residents due to pollution in shared waterways and public drainage systems, pets of residents in high runoff areas, local wildlife, especially fish/turtles in waterways, tourists.

· Title: “Spectrum cable, internet outage frustrates Central Florida customers” by Lisa Maria Garza of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0911%21September%2B11&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E5E381366965C8

o Summary: In this article from the September 11, 2018 issue, the author sites widespread internet and cable outages from the major service provider in the area.

o Problem: The article states that Spectrum claims the outages were a result of impacts from severe storms in the area. The service interruptions began on Sunday September 9, and continued into Monday. The company was unable to provide an estimate as to when service would be restored to affected customers, which ranged from residents upset to be missing Sunday night football, to businesses like public schools that had their operations impacted.

o Who: Residents, businesses, students, or anyone relying on cable or internet services for leisure, business operations, or study.

· Title: “Charters struggling to pay required resource officers” by Leslie Postal of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0909%21September%2B09&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E53CB435085310

o Summary: In this article from the September 9, 2018 issue, the author describes the adverse financial impacts of new school security legislation on two Winter Garden, Fl. Charter schools in the wake of the Parkland mass shooting.

o Problem: The new legislation requires each school to have an officer or armed “guardian” assigned to each school campus. It will come at an annual cost of $81,000, when the two schools only receive a combined $35,413 from the state to pay for it. The schools need to make up the difference to meet this legal obligation and, to do so, must dip into other funding at the expense of the students and/or programs. It is especially difficult for smaller schools like these two charters, who already receive less funding than larger campuses. This year, the technology budgets will suffer, and the students will forego additional computer resources.

o Who: Officers, school faculty, students, parents, residents in the school vicinity.

· Title: “Blood-sucking 'kissing bugs' heading to Florida” by Johnny Diaz of the Orlando Sentinel.

o Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3AORLB%21Orlando%2BSentinel%252C%2BThe%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0828%21August%2B28&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E145ECF0B934A0

o Summary: In this article from the August 28, 2018 issue, the author warns of a parasite carrying insect that is migrating to the southern United States, including Florida.

o Problem: This blood-sucking insect, nicknamed “kissing bugs” because they bite and suck blood from the faces of people, carry parasites they pass to those they bite. These parasites can cause Chagas disease, which can lead to heart disease, as well as a range of other symptoms. There are currently no synthetic chemicals approved to be used against these insects, according to the CDC.

o Who: Any resident or tourist to Florida, pets.