With the last blog, there were many comments including some from Ms Cathy Carr, an employee at The Osceola Foundation for Education. Her comments prompted some of us to come up with some questions, a few we’ll ask here, as Ms Carr did write she’d like us to have a question/answer session.

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Ms Carr, how much rent does the Foundation pay to the Osceola Board of Education for your offices?

If there is no rent, that means all your records are open to the public, correct?

Can you advise us what, and how much contributions has the County government, as a result of county commission actions, has the Foundation been given?

Is the “rumor” true that the Osceola Foundation is selling property? IF true, can you advise where the property is and how much is being asked for it?

We now know that Jonathan Wolf has approached several County Commissioners, recently in an attempt to discuss and convince them to reconsider the apartment complex, now being touted as Signature Crossing. Does the Foundation still consider this project as something they want to pursue?

Since your Director, Commissioner Ken Smith, is a fellow employee of yours at the Foundation, will he abstain from any voting issues which may come before
the County Commission due to his employment at both the Foundation and the County?

Your organization, when first started, had the worthy goal to provide scholarships to “every graduating student” in Osceola County. Is it wise to be attempting to get into the apartment rental and property management business, considering not every student is receiving scholarships at this point in time?

That’s all we have Ms Carr. You may feel free to answer the questions via email, via the blog, whatever works for you. We do look forward to your response.

Rumors are flying in the County regarding the County Manager’s family. According to the RUMOR, it’s being said they weren’t impressed with the County school system and some headed back to Iowa to complete the education process. Could this be true????

We MUST ask about a Million dollar contract which was awarded last Monday by the County Commission. There was no backup information, we’re told that possibly no RFP, and also we’ve heard that a certain School Board member called upon a commissioner “friend” to get the deal onto the agenda because he wasn’t happy with a certain county staff member who wanted more time to evaluate the deal. One commissioner, who is up for election, seemed to want to puch this through, and so it went. We can’t help but wonder WHY such a push without the deal being thoroughly researched? sniff-sniff??

Why did the Osceola School Board send Jay Wheeler to represent them at the public hearing on the construction project in the Buena Ventura Lakes subdivision? Clearly, Wheeler stood up at the podium and announced who he was and listed the school board address as his. If he hadn’t been representing the school board, he’d have given his own home address. A technicality? Perhaps. While representing the school board Wheeler criticized those residents who objected to the additional buildings and construction, and traffic which will soon be in their neighborhoods and not Wheeler’s. He was quick to say that “those people” were quick to complain but offered no suggestions. Hmmm He must have attended a different meeting, or just refused to really listen to the PEOPLE! Perhaps the School Board will check themselves before sending Wheeler to represent them again! Oh, if he wasn’t representing the school board, well, that’s another screw up by Mr Wheeler. Guess he’s allowed to just say ooops.

And yes, folks, some County Commissioners have been contacted by Mr Wolf with regards to the teacher apartment housing complex and plans are to bring it to the County Commission shortly after the November election and the new members are seated. Let’s see, Commissioners Lane and Shipley, who have opposed spending tax dollars from the county, will be gone. That’ll bring in….possibly Owen (we hear he’s in favor of the project) and possible Fred Hawkins(a Foundation board member and Chairman elect). To be honest, we just don’t know how he’d vote on the issue.

Another rumor heard around the county is Joyce Peach will be moving OUT of the corrections area and over to the probation department building. We understand they’re making room for her in one of the vacant, smaller offices. If true, we only wonder if her salary is adjusted to the actual salary her position is supposed to draw.

For those using the Orlando Utilities Commission service, you can expect to see a healthy rate hike coming October 1st. On average, your utility bill will rise 6.1 percent for residential and small commercial. Larger commercial will see rate hikes upwards of 6.7 to 8 percent. Blame it on fuel and everything else.

We mentioned the national elections so we’ll just enter this with a statement. When deciding who you’re going to vote for, PLEASE be honest to YOURSELF. Vote with your head and not because you belong to a certain party, or not.
IF you’re better off today, than you were 4 , or 8 years ago, reward those who made you better.
IF you are NOT better off than you were 4, or 8 years ago, do NOT reward those who may deliver more of the same. That’s it, nothing else.

God bless you all. Be healthy and please, always stay safe!