Considerations

To the editor:

According to Southland Christian Academy, Jarretta Hamilton, a former teacher at the school, was fired for violating a morality clause by fornicating before marriage. She is suing. The school wants her to drop her lawsuit and “consider the testimony of the Lord.”

It would behoove the administration at the academy to also “consider the testimony of the Lord.” As I study the teachings of Christ, he preached tolerance, forgiveness, love and non-judgment (John 8:7 — “For he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”). The truth was also an important value taught by our savior. Mrs. Hamilton was fired for telling the truth (Ephesians 4:25 — “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor.”).

Shame on Southland Christian Academy for its intolerant and insensitive attitude and for causing economic hardship to a family with a new child — a blessing from God. Shame on Southland Christian Academy for putting St. Cloud on the national news map for its lack of compassion and judgment. Perhaps, Mr. Administrator, you should open your scriptures to “consider the testimony of the Lord” and “consider your ways” — Haggai 1:5.

May the Hamilton family find peace, tolerance and justice.

Toni Rapinesi
St. Cloud

Supports Wheeler

To the editor:

In 2003, my family met Jay Wheeler for the first time. That is when my oldest daughter was assigned by Jay Wheeler as her Take Stock in Children scholarship mentor.

Take Stock in Children is a scholarship program that Florida public school sixth-graders can apply for and are selected based on academic performance and family financial need. Being a single working mom with three children, I was grateful that my daughter got into the program. She was attending Kissimmee Middle School at the time.

Fast-forward seven years and this past Memorial Day weekend my daughter graduated from Osceola High School with an associate of arts degree from Valencia Community College and her high school diploma. She will be entering the University of Central Florida this summer as a junior.

Jay Wheeler met with my daughter every week during the school year over the past seven years. He pushed her and kept her focused and on track to get where she is today. My daughter did not always like it when he would meet with her teachers and guidance counselors, but he always did what was best for my daughter.

Many politicians talk about what they will do for people. Jay Wheeler is more than talk; he stuck by my daughter for seven years and kept her going in the right direction straight toward success. I still have two children in our public schools and I want Jay Wheeler to stay on the Osceola County School Board to do what’s best for them and all of our kids.

Kathy Taliento
Kissimmee

Inappropriate spending

To the editor:

To buy, pay maintain and bailout Alan Starling from his empty commercial property on U.S. Highway 192 said to be used as a veterans museum, is absurd at this time. When the ordinary citizen (who, by the way, is angry at the way his government acts) looks at all the millions of dollars to be spent and compares it with his current economic condition, it will look absurd.

I have been a volunteer panel auditor for welfare organizations seeking funds from the county and the city for seven years and know that the current museum is not ready to “fly,” despite what the $47,000 “study” says. In addition, I was a real estate appraiser, retired, with good credentials and would hesitate to put a price on that property without a second or third opinion of value. A Greyhound Bus station in a comparable nearby city was put up for auction for $950,000. It seemed to fit. Fairfax, Va., has many active veterans and government employees and therefore a strong sentiment supporting a veterans museum, but it cannot be compared with what may or may not be beneficial here.

I was a “citizen soldier,” a five-year World War II veteran. Note, “citizen” first, then veteran. As a veteran, I feel that we WW II’s are all but forgotten and gathering dust in a museum. As a citizen, such a large, expensive place for a poor county like Osceola, is most inappropriate. Talk is that it can be a “regional” attraction, then perhaps all seven counties should take an interest. Also, Commissioner John Quiñones suggested Osceola Heritage Park might be a location for the museum, but I have a feeling it’s too “bothersome” to some in power.

Commissioners, rethink this deal. It’s not too late. Don’t be labeled “foolish” with regret.

Gene Marciniak
Kissimmee