Orlando was built on Dreamers
I agree with Gaby Pacheco’s July 4 column about Dreamers (“Banning Dreamers from Florida colleges is cruel and undemocratic”).
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Let’s not forget that way back in 1971, there was a new company that opened in Orlando. Maybe some of the people have heard of it? It was called Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, Walter Elias Disney passed away before the opening, but I believe Disney was one of the world’s greatest dreamers back then, and even further back. Before 1955 he was dreaming of the impossible. That’s when Disneyland opened and even before that (in 1920) he was dreaming of, and had created ways to show video cartoons first with voice in animation then in color.
So Dreamers, in one form or another, are a great part of our lives, otherwise we may not move forward as much as we could.
A Dreamer, that’s pretty much how Orlando grew to what it is now.
— Scott Meikle, Rockledge
Founding Fathers gave power to the individual
Reading the collection of letters from local citizens to our Founding Fathers (“USA at 250: What the Founding Fathers should know about 2026”), I believe a lot of their comments referring to slavery reveal a lack of understanding of the world in 1776 vs. the world in 2026. Many countries allowed slavery in 1776. The writers are picking Founding Fathers apart for something that had acceptance in their times. However, the words of our Founding Fathers did start the conversation to release slaves.
The very act of declaring independence and the rights of individuals (acts that could easily have gotten them all hung for insurrection against the King of England) was rare or nonexistent in 1776. Much of the world lived under tyranny of one form or another. Much of the world had slaves of one sort or another. Beneath all the words of this declaration, this shined through: Limited government and more power to the individual. No kings, no tyrants, no forced redistribution of wealth, no government-ordained success according to your sex or race, no forced military participation, no forced patriotism, and no political parties if you choose none. Just you, your lungs, your heart and your endeavors.
— CE Marshall, Clermont
Be vigilant to protect Lake’s wetlands
Florida’s new agricultural enclave law, SB 686, took effect July 1, and Lake County residents should understand what it changes. The law lets owners of farmland bordered on three-quarters of its edge by development apply to turn those parcels into houses or businesses — and if the county doesn’t approve or deny within 90 days, the application is approved automatically.
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That last provision is the one to watch. It shifts the burden away from deliberate public review and toward a ticking clock. A missed deadline becomes a yes.
Supporters note that the Wekiva Study Area and other designated sensitive lands are carved out, and that is true. However, those lines don’t cover every acre that matters. Wetlands that hold back floodwater, habitat for threatened species, and the working farms that buffer our lakes and springs can sit just outside a protected boundary and thereby be lost.
In 2024, Lake County voters approved the Lake Forever conservation bond by roughly 80%. We said plainly that we value this landscape. I urge our county commissioners to adopt local review procedures that meet SB 686’s deadlines rather than letting the 90-day clock decide for us — and I urge neighbors to watch for enclave applications near them.
— Jacquelin Arndt, Mount Dora
A shadow over the World Cup
It’s been such fun to watch the World Cup with my family this year — especially as we cheered on former Orlando City player Alex Freeman and the U.S. men’s national team. What a shame that Donald Trump had to get involved and cast a shadow over what has otherwise provided a patriotic, celebratory moment. I feel bad for our team knowing that the results of this tournament will forever have an asterisk because our bully of a president called to urge officials to rescind a player’s suspension for a red card — a term he admits he didn’t even know before last week. He may be happy admiring his meaningless FIFA Peace Prize trophy, but some of us were actually here for the soccer.
— Adrienne Egolf, Winter Garden
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