Hartig files to run for School Board

Cindy Hartig, chairwoman of the Osceola County School Board, has officially filed her paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections to run for a second term for the board in district 3.

Hartig was first elected without opposition in 2008 and then on Nov. 16, her fellow School Board members elected her as chairwoman.

“I have been truly honored to have had the opportunity to serve on the School Board of Osceola County and I look forward to another four years beginning in 2012,” Hartig said in a press release. “My dedication and commitment will continue to be with the wonderful students, teachers, administrators, and all the employees in our Osceola School family.”

Hartig, the mother of three daughters who have all been students at Osceola County schools, stated she understands the value of a good education and as a board member her priority is to ensure that children have a great learning environment at Osceola County schools.

Hartig is the owner of Information Technology and Data Solutions, a company that she founded in 2000.

Hartig’s district 3 covers part of Kissimmee and all of the Osceola County portion of Poinciana. The 2012 election is a nonpartisan race.

Otero files for mayor

Art Otero, who currently sits on seat 1 of the Kissimmee City Commission, has filed with the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office to run for seat 5 as mayor in the 2012 election.

Otero won his present seat in 2008 by edging out Gail Eck. City elections are nonpartisan and terms are for four years.

Also running for the mayor’s seat is Nereida Rios.

Gold’s to help Japan

Gold’s Gym in St. Cloud and the Central Florida Red Cross is encouraging all members of Osceola County to stop in and participate in an opportunity to help those who have been affected in Japan by the devastating tsunami and earthquake.

The gym will host a pledge-driven Zumbathon April 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. by RSVP only and will be accepting donations beginning at 2 p.m. The event also will include a bounce castle for the youngsters, a cash prize, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, local business vendors, food, gifts and the grand finale, the Zumbathon.

Susan Adams, general manager of the gym, said she has witnessed so much generosity from the communities of St. Cloud and Kissimmee and she is hoping to be able to hand over a check to the Red Cross “from all of us that have been blessed in light of all the tragedy around the world.”

Gold’s Gym of St. Cloud is a locally owned health care facility. For more details on how to participate as a business or to donate, call Adams at 407-957-2622.

Buying, selling businesses is focus of luncheon seminar

The University of Central Florida Business Incubator at a luncheon seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in will present a program in St. Cloud on attracting business buyers and the factors that influence the sale of business.

The seminar will be at the UCF Business Incubator, Stevens Plantation Business Park, 3201 Budinger Ave., St. Cloud. Jim Bowie, site manager for the UCF Business Incubation Program, said admission is free to incubator client companies and $15 for non-members.

“Business Broker Shaun Thornton will provide a thorough orientation to the business brokerage process, covering the business sale process, how to value a business, why to buy a business, why business owners sell and, most importantly, how to prepare a business for sale,” Bowie said.

To reserve a seat, call 407-498-0432.