Michele Walker, Orlando journal editor (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
America is thought for its firm cities—small communities constructed round a enterprise that sprang to life beginning across the Industrial Revolution. From Hershey, Pennsylvania, to Corning, New York, these business-built cities had been the muse of our nation, but they don’t seem to be free from controversy.
In the event you grew up in Central Florida, chances are high you labored at a theme park sooner or later in your profession. My first job whereas I used to be in highschool was working the money register on the Silversmith Store in Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. You may’t get any higher than working at Walt Disney World for a primary job. Think about a teenage child going to Disney each week and getting paid for it. I used to be in heaven.
By means of the years, I labored a number of positions at Disney and SeaWorld, Boardwalk and Baseball (who remembers that park?) to Cypress Gardens. From characters, leisure, promoting and even a stint as a magician’s assistant for Dr. H. P. Lovecraft at SeaWorld, I really feel like I’ve worn each hat possible. I’ve been sawed into three items, levitated, had swords plunged into my sides and spent extra time backstage with pigeons than I care to recall. It by no means felt like work.
Whereas researching Orlando journal’s Conservation Information, I felt I used to be stepping again in time as I discovered myself in my outdated SeaWorld stomping grounds. There have been many modifications at SeaWorld for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. What hasn’t modified is their dedication to the well being and preservation of marine life and conservation.
Our February problem is chock filled with fascinating tales, from Dan Tracy’s riveting take a look at “Constructing Again Safer After Hurricane Ian,” Michael McLeod’s protection of the grand opening of the Fringe ArtSpace, to the debut of Brendan O’Connor’s month-to-month column. Because the editor in chief of Orlando’s ever-popular Bungalower.com, Brendan offers a singular take a look at the native meals scene. We’re excited so as to add his voice to Orlando journal.
Are you prepared for the Orlando Taco Bracket Problem? We’ve picked 32 eating places within the Orlando space which can be recognized for his or her tacos. Every week we’ll have the eateries going head-to-head (suppose March Insanity) till the competitors is whittled right down to 16, then eight, then 4 and, lastly, the 2 left standing for the championship spherical. The winners shall be printed within the June 2023 problem of Orlando journal and on orlandomagazine.com.
The official definition of an organization city is “a group depending on one agency for all or many of the mandatory providers or features of city life (reminiscent of employment, housing, and shops).” Orlando was a thriving group, albeit small, lengthy earlier than Walt Disney broke floor on his Magic Kingdom. Nobody can deny the influence of Disney and the variety of residents dependent upon the theme park enterprise in Central Florida.
Firm cities have come and gone all through historical past. The cities which have failed have accomplished so due to abuse of energy by the companies, weak labor legal guidelines and disrespect for the employee. When firms progress with the occasions, deal with their staff with respect, pay a dwelling wage and assist to handle points like housing, training and labor safety, all of us profit. Like Eleanor Roosevelt famously stated, “When it’s higher for everybody, it’s higher for everybody.”
T. Michele Walker
michele.walker@orlandomagazine.com
