The first decade of the new millennium is in the books, and some are saying good riddance. After the relative peace and prosperity of the 90s, the 00s were marked by terrorism, war and economic turmoil. The bursting housing bubble hit Florida especially hard. Unemployment soared, growth slowed and tourists stayed home. Heading into the 10s, there are hints of a recovery. The stock market has reclaimed some lost ground, and homes are starting to sell again. But it's going to be a difficult time, and success will depend on leaders setting aside pettiness, abandoning extremism and working together. The Orlando Sentinel usually uses this space to outline some goals for the coming year. But under the circumstances, it's appropriate this year to spell out the underlying principles that will guide our editorial positions in this new — and we hope, better — decade.
Responsible and effective leadership
The policies and decisions of governments and institutions should be ethical, compassionate, financially sound, nonpartisan and in the best interests of those they serve. The behavior of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and of Florida's Blood Centers were examples last year of where leadership fell short. We'll keep a close watch so that Central Florida gets the leadership it deserves.
Strengthening the economy
Central Florida's staggering unemployment rate is Exhibit A why the region must build a broader-based economy. Tourism is vitally important, and so is construction. But a two-legged stool is sure to collapse. Our economy needs more legs to stand on, like the one emerging in east Orange County at the medical city. We back long-term solutions to create a more diverse, sustainable economy.
Smart growth
Too bad that simple phrase has been hijacked by developers to justify outlandish proposals better described by another two-word term: Urban sprawl. Just look at the plan in Osceola County to plop a quarter-million people in a new city miles from any other urban area. Just look at governments so hooked on growth they're talking about waiving impact fees. Like junkies craving a fix. We've long advocated managing growth within existing urban boundaries. And promoting transit alternatives, like SunRail. You know, smart growth.
Safeguarding the environment
Imagine a muddy, polluted Wekiva River. An oil-slicked Gulf Coast beach. A hammock of ancient oaks uprooted for more rooftops. That's the Florida we might have one day if the commitment to save what's natural isn't sustained, and strengthened. An ailing economy is no reason to compromise the preservation of natural places for the generations to follow. This has long been a priority for the Sentinel's editorial board, and that's not going to change.
Top-quality education
This state has made some important strides, but the prize is still distant. Florida ranks too low on too many ratings of educational quality. The FCAT needs to be preserved but the Legislature needs to strengthen accountability both for schools and teachers. Andit needs to stop doing education on the cheap. The responsibility for improving education extends to administrators as well as to teachers and their unions. The recent refusal from those unions to even consider merit pay in exchange for hundreds of millions of additional federal dollars is a troubling sign that they aren't willing to alter the way they do business. That must change.
A vibrant cultural scene
Metro Orlando is Disney, Universal and Sea World. But Mickey, Spider-Man and Shamu alone can't sustain us. Public and private supporters of the arts mustn't let tanking tourist-development tax collections cripple plans for the three-stage performing-arts center. And the announced closings in 2009 of the 51-year-old Orlando Opera Company and the city's oldest drama group — the Orlando Theatre Project — suggests the community needs to find more creative ways to support artists who can lift its spirits.
Protecting the vulnerable
The spike in joblessness created by the Great Recession has added to unmet needs in Central Florida for food, shelter and health care. Meanwhile, the drop in tax revenues for governments is forcing them to look for places to cut spending. Too often they target programs for the most vulnerable members of society. This year governments across the region slashed their funding for a commission fighting homelessness. When times are tough, leaders need to put a priority on helping the poor, the hungry and the homeless.