Good leadership?

To the editor:

Interesting the letter in the Osceola News-Gazette dated June 5 comes out just before election time. Quote, “We are lucky top have Jay Wheeler on the Osceola County School Board and we need to re-elect him in order for him to keep working for all of us.”

I don’t know what options were exhausted before Wheeler stepped in to rescue Stephanie Gonzales’ kindergartener son’s school problem. Wheeler’s name was mentioned seven times and referred to many times in the short letter to the editor. It sounds more like a paid advertisement but the disclaimer at the end was missing.

To the point, many elected officials respond to complaints on a weekly basis and solve problems for the general public, which is their job.

Mr. Wheeler needs all the help he can to be re-elected. You made your point, now let’s look at what is currently taking place. Wheeler is currently under a serious investigation for the fifth or sixth time, which he calls “nonsense.” He violates School Board rules on a regular basis, asking direction from the School Board’s attorney, and then refusing to abide by it. He is aggressively collecting money from a large number of construction contractors and their affiliates throughout the state.

While the incumbent has served eight years, he attended only one expulsion hearing. This is part of his elected job. He also frequently leaves board meetings early. He finds time to drive all over the state to solicit money for his campaign but limited time for the children. Is this behavior what you want for your children? All of this can be verified by reviewing his campaign account, reading the newspaper and watching School Board meetings.

You do have options: Do your homework, compare and then vote wisely.

Richard Kinney
Kissimmee

Will be missed

To the editor:

When you become a parent, one of your greatest hopes is that your children will encounter positive role models to help you guide them through their formative years. My wife and I were truly blessed because in 1992, when our oldest daughter was only 3, we happened upon just such a person: Judy James, owner of James Dance Center in downtown Kissimmee. Over the next 18 years, all five of our daughters have attended her school and all of our lives have been richer for it.

Miss Judy uses words that you don’t often hear these days to describe her expectations for her students – courage, discipline, hard work, following the rules and respecting each other. She doesn’t just expect these of her students but she also exhibits them in her own life. At the core, as you would expect, is a dedication to being physically and mentally fit to take on the challenges that life is going to throw at you. She doesn’t lower her expectations to fit the student; she recognizes obstacles and challenges her students to overcome them to meet those expectations.

James Dance Center, a fixture of Kissimmee for 35 years, is closing its doors this year and the last recital was June 13. I understand that Miss Judy truly deserves to retire and spend more time with her family. But this community will be worse off because of it and I am going to be quite challenged to find someone else to fill her shoes. She is a one-of-a-kind and she will be missed.

Scott Brooks
Kissimmee