Goals 2008: Now for the hard part

GOALS 2008 OPINION 1

Make neighborhoods safe

Central Floridians have the right to be safe in their homes and to walk city streets without fear of crime. Visitors, too, should feel safe in America's premier family-vacation destination.

GOALS 2008 OPINION 2

Grow right

Some Central Florida policymakers finally seemed to get it in 2007: that if the region is to grow right, they've got to do a lesser job of fast-tracking development and a better job of protecting the environment, enhancing transportation options and improving the affordable-housing stock.

GOALS 2008 OPINION 3

Lead responsibly

There is no better time to demand leadership in government than in an election year.

GOALS 2008 OPINION 4

Raise school standards

It's maddening that, while Central Florida public schools desperately need to improve, there are those who are trying to weaken the state's education standards.

GOALS 2008 OPINION 5

Build the economy

Between the falling housing market and soaring energy prices, this could be a rough year for Central Florida's economy.

GOALS 2008 GUEST VIEWS: CHARLES LEE

Wise up to water-district folly: Harvest what we waste

Most of Florida remains in the grip of a record drought. Central Florida's Withlacoochee River went completely dry in 2001 and again in 2007. In 70 years of record, those years are the only time this river has completely dried up for an extended period.

GOALS 2008 GUEST VIEWS: FORMER GOV. JEB BUSH

Bush: Raise bar, don't backpedal, on school standards

The 21st century has ushered in an era of unprecedented opportunity for Florida. The world around us is moving at warp speed. Countries are more interconnected and interdependent than ever before in our history. Ideas travel across continents and oceans in seconds, sparking innovations and inventions beyond our imaginations just a decade or two ago. Developing countries are emerging as major competitors in the global economy.

GOALS 2008 GUEST VIEWS: VAL DEMINGS

OPD Chief Demings: My plan to win war on crime

Twenty-four years ago, I packed everything I owned in the trunk of my Oldsmobile Firenza and headed to Orlando. I was so excited about my new job and my new responsibility.

GOALS 2008 GUEST VIEWS: PROF. SEAN SNAITH

Reform taxes, diversity to boost regional economy

Predicting turning points in economic cycles is notoriously difficult. Consequently, it is a feather in a forecaster's cap to be the first to predict a recession, and I suppose that is why we have been hearing predictions of the impending economic recession since 2004.

GOALS 2008

A new way to expand our conversation

It may have been subtle, but early last year something new showed up on the Sentinel's editorial page right under the editorial cartoon. It was a line of type that referred readers to an "Online Extra" or "Video Extra." We then gave a Web address for OrlandoSenti nel.com/opinion. The subjects we have promoted have ranged from online survey questions to videos from letter writers.

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