A hero among us

To the editor:

My name is Susan Sunka and I’m the executive director of the Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County. I’m writing to you because I would like to direct your attention to a community hero – state Rep. Mike Horner.

During this last legislative session, there were several bills introduced that would have required our coalition, along with others across the state, to merge with another coalition (The bills were: HB 5103, sponsor – Coley; SB 1974, sponsor – Simmons; HB 7119, sponsor – Ahern).

If passed and enacted, the Osceola County community would have lost its voice for how best to serve its children and families in the implementation of early learning programs and services.

As the bills generated more and more momentum in session, passing through committees and then on to the House and Senate floors, it seemed hopeless to get the language changed or deleted.  It was apparent that decisions about early learning programs and services in the Osceola County community would be made by those mostly based outside of our community.

And then it happened … Mike Horner got involved. Rep. Horner met with the sponsoring legislators, the leaders of the Office of Early Learning (who fund the coalitions) and other legislators to garner support for the deletion of the merger language from the bills.  Rep. Horner’s tireless efforts and willingness to go the extra mile to fight for the good of his constituents made all the difference in the world.

When the general session was over and the final bill was passed (5103), the merger language forcing the Osceola Coalition (and others) to automatically merge had been successfully deleted.

In a way, Representative Horner is a silent hero, because many of the hundreds of children and families that would have been negatively impacted by a merger will never realize how hard he worked on their behalf. I do, though, and now you do, too. Please let our community residents know that a hero lives amongst them, and his name is Mike Horner.

Susan Sunka

executive director

Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County

Kissimmee

Thanks Rep. Horner

To the editor:

The staff at Shady Oaks Private School would like to thank state Rep. Mike Horner on his work in getting the legislators to change the wording in the final Early Learning bill that would have taken our voice away if it was not changed.

If we would lose our Early Learning Coalition here in Osceola County, we would not have the input that we do now for the children in our county. Our Early Learning Coalition always keeps us updated with any new legislation coming up. We feel having input into the coalition from the providers is very important for the children, parents and community of Osceola County. Shady Oaks has staff that attends various meetings with the coalition and the other providers so our input can be heard.

Again we want to thank Rep. Horner for all his hard work in getting the wording changed so we can keep our Early Learning Coalition here in Osceola County.

Shady Oaks Private School

Sarah Frontz, PreK director

Nancy New, administrator

Kissimmee

Response to letter

To the editor:

After reading the letter to the editor and the writer’s comments regarding fraud, I would like to mention that not everyone is fraudulent with their usage of food stamps.

I, for one, am very frugal. I use coupons, shop sales and do so at all local stores. When I have a coupon and an item is on sale, it is sometimes a luxury I am able to afford because I cook home-prepared meals. We do not use soda, but I do buy my husband little ($1) Hershey bars so he may eat one with his apple as a treat.

Last time I checked, this is still a free country. I did notice the writer’s distaste for, while she had four items, the cart of the other people was full. For all you know, they could have eaten pasta seven days a week to be able to splurge.

Rude is always rude and knows no gender or race. The fact that the shopper mentioned ignored the express line item limit is, in my opinion, a matter better addressed by Publix. Perhaps you, the letter writer, should have spoken with a manager.

I also noticed you begrudge the people in line for items you yourself cannot afford. You speak of them in a degrading manner in reference to going back to giving them commodities – rice, cheese, milk, beans and peanut butter.However, this is not your decision, only your opinion, which everyone is entitled to.

I, for one, am not complaining of running out of food before the end of the month. There is no difference between mismanaging food or credit card debt. Living beyond your means is still living beyond your means.

The Bible does tell us to care for the poor. You state you will feed anyone who is truly hungry, but it is implied that you will be the judge of hungry.

I do not have a cell phone, an answering machine or a computer. I have no tattoos, wear only earrings and my wedding ring and our only vehicle is a 1988, six-cylinder truck, which is kept running by the grace of God, family and good friends.

Just in case you’re wondering, when we do not have gas money at $3.75 per gallon, we stay home. We do invite people to eat with us – but not to alarm you – they almost always bring something.

While the system could stand room for improvement, I do not believe we need the added expense of a complaint line. There are many capable persons in the system who are addressing the warranted complaints. There have been cuts made, which maybe you are unaware of, and there are people listening, making adjustments and constantly working for a better system. Until then, this is the best system we have.

While I cannot vouch for who will listen, I can tell you where to go: Department of Children & Families, 1507 N. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee. You may walk in and they will answer your questions. The only known number I have is in Tampa, 1-866-762-2237.

Sharon Lawrence

Kissimmee