FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marcia Hope Goodwin 407-246-3107

MAYOR DYER TO PARTICIPATE IN
EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION TOWN HALL MEETING

ORLANDO, FL (August 20, 2003) – Mayor Buddy Dyer Thursday, August 21, 2003, at 6 p.m. will participate in an early care and education town hall meeting at the Orlando City Hall Council Chambers.

Lieutenant Governor Toni Jennings will provide opening remarks and Channel 2 Education Reporter Kathy Marsh will serve as moderator. Items discussed at the town hall meeting will include: How will Florida achieve the best possible outcomes for the implementation of the universal pre-kindergarten constitutional amendment? What improvements should our state make in caring for its youngest children and their families? Who can best ensure the quality of services? Will we protect current programs and systems already in place? Can a broad-based consensus be reached on community-oriented solutions?

The universal pre-kindergarten constitutional amendment was supported by 464,877 Central Floridians in November 2002. It passed statewide with 59.2 percent of the vote; in Orange and Osceola counties, the margin topped out at 65.3 percent and 66.1 percent respectively, two of the highest in the state.

STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND POLICY MAKERS:

Buddy Dyer, Mayor, City of Orlando
Evelyn Lynn, State Senator, District 7
Bruce Antone, State Representative, District 39
David Simmons, State Representative, District 37
Kevin Beary, Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Ron Blocker, Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND EXPERT PANELISTS:

Sharen Carnahan, Director, Rollins College, Child Development Center
Linda Sutherland, Executive Director, Orange County Healthy Start Coalition
Dedra Walthour, HIPPY Coordinator, Community Coordinated Care for Children
Rich Morrison, Chair Board Member, Orange County School Readiness Coalition
Butch Cronon, Board Member, Florida Partnership for School Readiness
Lisa Early, Director, Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families
Ella J. Gilmore, Interim Director, Orange County Head Start
Rachel Rodriguez, Administrator, Florida Child Care Centers
Myriam Marquez, Editorial Board Member, Orlando Sentinel
Arto Woodley, President, Frontline Outreach
Harris Rosen, CEO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts
 

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