See page B-3 for OSCEOLA NEWS-G

50 CENTS

112TH YEAR ? THURSDAY EDITION

MARCH 31, 2011

See page B-3 for the latest community activities, events and

classes.

OSCEOLA NEWS-GAZETTE

?

County to consider restricting pill mills

By Marvin G. Cortner Editor

Osceola County soon could

follow in the footsteps of

other Florida municipalities by

imposing a moratorium on

the licensing of new pain

management clinics, com-

monly called pill mills, where

medical staff arbitrarily writes

prescriptions.

An Osceola County Sher-

iff's Office report on pill mills,

which operate under the guise

of being legitimate medical

clinics, was presented to the

County Commission March

21. Nearby municipal govern-

ments that already have

passed ordinances or imposed

moratoriums include Orange

and Polk counties and the

cities of Orlando and St.

Cloud.

Sheriff Bob

Hansell in the

report made

several recom-

mendations:

impose

a

moratorium

on new licens-

es, improve Hansell county zoning

laws relating to this kind of

business, limit the hours of

operation; educate patients;

and begin a coordinated effort

between law enforcement,

pharmacies and physicians

using drug databases.

One statistic cited by

Hansell illustrates that the pill

mill problem is statewide:

Florida medical practitioners

purchased more oxycodone

pills in the first six months of

2010 than practitioners in all

other states combined.

Hansell also stated that Flori-

da is one of 12 states without

See Pill mill, page A-6

Off the battlefield

News-Gazette Photos/ Octavian Cantilli

Above, Union soldiers carry one of their own into the surgeon's tent during the 18th annual Battle at Narcoossee Mill reenacted at the Ralph V. Chisholm Park in Narcoossee Sunday. During their retreat, Union soldiers captured a Confederate medical tent. At right, Robert Sonntag, 51, of Orlando, plays the role of a Confederate surgeon performing an above-the-knee amputation on a Union soldier.

Board forces

Grego out

7 weeks early

By Fallan Patterson Staff Writer

The Osceola County

School Board Tuesday voted

3-2 to remove Superintendent

Michael A. Grego seven

weeks before his tendered res-

ignation date of May 31,

while paying him $20,000 to

stay home.

Board Member Barbara

Horn announced a motion to

remove the "distraction" and

pay Grego to finish out the last

two months of his contract

while appointing an interim

superintendent until a perma-

nent replacement is chosen.

"We need to

stay focused on

our priorities.

We can move

on and that's

what we have

to do," said

Horn, adding

that Grego is invited to sit at

Horn

the graduations.

Tuesday's agenda did not

include the motion to force the

superintendent out early and

Board Members Julius Melen-

dez and Jay Wheeler attacked

what he called Horn's "hasty"

decision."

"It sends a horrible message

to those who are going to

apply," Wheeler said. "It's

sneaky. It's turning us into a

laughing stock."

Board Member Tom Long

called Grego's resignation a

"distraction" and said he is

unable to focus on educational

issues because of the number of

phone calls he receives about

the issue.

"I spend the majority of my

time answering phone calls and

School Board

90 percent say we need to move on," he said.

Melendez questioned how letting Grego go early would help the district and taxpayers, saying it would be "double spending" since the district will have to pay both Grego and an interim superintendent.

"This isn't a very professional way to conduct business," he said. "This is completely unacceptable."

Horn originally motioned for Grego to be removed immediately, but after discussion with the remainder Grego of the board, she offered a friendly amendment of removing Grego in two weeks. His last day will be April 12. The board will discuss possible interim superintendents and that person's salary and benefits at the School Board meeting Tuesday.

Wheeler and Melendez both supported appointing one of two current deputy superintendents as interim administrators. School Board Attorney Suzanne D'Agresta confirmed either Debra Pace or Beverly Carbaugh's positions could remain unfilled while one of them served as interim superintendent, if appointed, and thereby avoid spending taxpayer money on both Grego and an interim administrator.

"There's nobody more qualified," Wheeler said,

See School, page A-3

Walmart Market coming to West Vine Street in Kissimmee

By Peter Covino Entertainment Editor

Sometimes smaller is better. Even if you are a regular Walmart Super Center shopper, the size of the giant retailer can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, especially if all you are looking for is a gallon of milk, some eggs and a bunch of bananas. Rest easy shoppers -- Osceola County will soon be getting its first Walmart Market, commonly known as a Walmart Neighborhood Market, in Kissimmee in the Vine Street Square shopping complex. The new market should be open by the fall, Michelle Azel Belaire, senior manager of public affairs and government relations

Kissimmee

for Walmart in Florida, said. For those used to shopping at the Wal-

mart Super Centers in Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Buenaventura Lakes, the store might be a bit of a surprise. The average size of a super center is 185,000 square feet. The size of the Walmart Market will only be about 30,000 square feet. There are currently 183 Neighborhood Markets in the United States and Canada.

The new store is currently under construction.

The store will have many of the same

See Market, page A-3

Photo/Walmart

The new Walmart Market is expected to open in the fall on West Vine Street in Kissimmee. The store, much smaller than the standard Walmart Super Center, will have a cafe, like the one shown here.

Inside

Classifieds . . . . . C-4 Community . . . . B-3 Homefinder . . . C-1 Legals . . . . . . . . C-7 Local news . . . . . A-2 Opinion . . . . . . . A-4 Police news . . . . A-2 Sports . . . . . . . . A-7

Homefinder

Local homebuilder offering quick delivery homes in central Florida.

Page C-1

Sports

The 38-team Kissimmee Klassic softball tournament begins today.

Page A-7

News for you

Around Kissimmee, Around St. Cloud and surrounding areas featured in zoned editions.

Section B

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Graph/Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation

The latest data from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation shows that unemployment in Florida, shown by the blue line above, is now trending down but remains

CLIP & SAVEabout 2Cpleirpcen&tagSe apovinets CLIP & SAVE higher than the national average. Clip & Save

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News-Gazette Photos/Andrew Sullivan

St. Cloud resident Darlene Heckman, right, and Marlenis Ramos, of

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jobless rate drops which includes Lake, Osceola,

Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE Osceola County's jobless Orange and Seminole counties, rate fell a full percentage was down a full percentage point in February to 11.9 point as well, dropping to 10.8 percent, according to the lat- percent in February compared est report released Friday by to January's 11.8 percent. This

track," Agency for Workforce

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Lorenzo said. "We will continue our commitment to ensuring Florida's workforce system meets the dynamic needs of

Orlando, on March 23 take turns

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viewee in hopes of increasing their

the Florida Agency for Work- represents 121,152 jobless out our existing and future employ-

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ly adjusted) was 11.9 percent politan area added 11,400 jobs

Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE compared to January's 12.9 in February and 22,900 jobs percent, representing 16,718 during the prior year.

unemployed workers out of a

Orange County's jobless rate

labor force of 140,993.

fell a full percentage point as

Florida's unemployment rate well, going from 11.7 percent

in February (not seasonally in January to 10.7 percent in

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of the Osceola Library System.

adjusted) was 11 percent, down February. Polk County's jobless

CLIP & SAVE Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE 0.8 percentage point from Jan- rate fell even more, going from

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the

Clip & Save second quarter of 2011 indi-

cates Florida employers expect to hire at a steady pace in the months ahead. Of employers surveyed, 14 percent plan to hire more work-

Clip & Save ers between April and June,

while 76 percent plan to

uary's 11.8 percent. The new 12.8 percent in January to maintain their current staff

state unemployment rate repre- 11.7 percent in February.

levels, a slight improvement

Clip & Save Police CnLewIPs & SAVE Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE Clip & Save Arrested for

impersonating officer

Florida State Patrol troopers

Monday afternoon arrested 25-

CLIP & SAVE Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE Clip & Save CLIP & SAVE Clip & Save year-old James Mark Stewart OSCEOLA Jr., of Orlando, for impersonat-

truck and had activated the lights to stop the vehicle.

Inside the vehicle Stewart stopped were two off-duty Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Those troopers suspected that the pickup truck that

dispatchers and called 911 to report the impersonator. An Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy and an Orlando police

See Police news, page A-3

sents 1,068,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,265,000.

Nationally, the unemployment rate in February (not seasonally adjusted) was 9.5 percent, compared to 9.8 percent in January.

The jobless rate for the

"This decrease in Florida's unemployment rate, combined with continued job growth, is welcome news and provides additional evidence that our

over the survey results for the first quarter of the year.

In February, Monroe Coun-

See Local news, page A-6

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Market

Continued from page A-1

School

Continued from page A-1

items found in a larger Walmart store, but you won't find big-screen televisions or electronics or much in the way of auto supplies.

"We are pleased to be able to offer Kissimmee residents an alternative shopping option with our upcoming Walmart Market," Belaire said. "This smaller format will be ideal for shoppers who want to restock their pantries or just pick up a few items. We offer familiar brands and local products at Walmart's everyday low prices."

The market will feature fresh produce, meat and dairy products, deli foods, frozen foods, bakery items, dry goods and staples, as well as pet supplies, health and beauty aids, stationery and paper goods and household supplies. The smaller Walmart also includes a one-hour photo center and drive-through pharmacy.

Typically, a Walmart Super Center will stock about 120,000 different items. The Neighborhood Market will stock about 29,000, Belaire said.

While all of the operating details have not been released, many of these markets are open 24 hours.

As of February, Walmart had 175 super centers in the state; 31 markets; 27 Sam's Clubs and six distribution centers.

Walmart has a significant economic impact in the state, so even a smaller store will have some impact in the Kissimmee area, Belaire said, adding that the new store would have approximately 100 employees.

"It should be a big help for the area," Brendan Boyle, co-owner of Coliseum of Comics, said. "Economically, the area can use it."

Coliseum of Comics, which has several stores in Central Florida, relocated its downtown Kissimmee store to the Vine Street Square last May and has had a positive effect on the shopping center, Boyle said.

"We brought a lot of life to the center," he said. "The addition of a Walmart grocery store should only help the other businesses at the center."

Vine Street Square also is home to an Outback Steakhouse and an Office Max, among other stores.

The February statistics for Walmart in Flori-

Photo/Walmart

A Walmart neighborhood market, like the one shown here, is already under construction at the Vine Street Square in Kissimmee. Neighboring businesses include the Outback Steakhouse, Coliseum of Comics and Office Max.

da includes 91,836 employee/associates. In 2010, Walmart spent $4,790,313,529 for merchandise and services with 2,434 suppliers in the state.

As a result of Walmart's relationship with these suppliers, Walmart supports 80,419 supplier jobs in the state of Florida. Belaire said the statistical figures were provided by Dun & Bradstreet.

Walmart also has been a strong contributor for charities and nonprofit groups, Belaire said. In 2009, Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $21.2 million in cash and in-kind donations to local organizations in the communities they serve in Florida. Through additional funds donated by customers, and Walmart and Sam's Club associates throughout the state, the retailer's contributions in Florida totaled more than $25.5 million.

Belaire said additional information about the new store will be released as it gets closer to the fall opening date.

"We look forward to serving the residents of Kissimmee and being a good community neighbor," she said.

referring to Pace and Carbaugh. "Anyone else would be a huge mistake."

Grego hinted at possible legal action for breach of contract before the board approved removing him from the position seven weeks early.

"You have a contract and you should live by that contract," Grego said. "When a superintendent places his resignation, the last months are critical."

Board Chairman Cindy Hartig announced her support for his removal after Grego's legal action comment, then allowed public comment from

the audience. Audience members mostly

showed support for Grego and also expressed their displeasure with the board for addressing an issue not on the agenda in a workshop held in the middle of the day where the majority of the public is unable to attend.

"This is very disturbing (and) highly inappropriate," St. Cloud resident Sandy Shepard said. "I think the turmoil is due to the board's behavior since the new board took over."

Hartig was quick to point out that the 1 p.m. meeting had been scheduled by Grego

Police news

Continued from page A-2

officer initiated a traffic stop at the Orlando International Airport. State troopers arrived on scene and arrested Stewart.

Thames Jehrrod Quinault, 44, from California, who was a passenger in the pickup truck, was arrested for tampering with evidence by hiding the blue and red lights from state troopers in his luggage. Both were booked into the Orange County Jail.

Arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation

A carnival worker working at the Fiesta Folklorica Puertoriqueno event in Kissimmee on March 26 was arrested by Kissimmee police for lewd and lascivious molestation.

The carnival worker, 35year-old Justin Wood, of Cocoa, was working a child's ride at the event. The 8-year-old victim told her mother that when she attempted to leave the ride,

Wood told her to sit back down.

The child sat down and that is

when Wood touched her inap-

propriately. The child immedi-

ately got off the ride and ran

and told her

mother. The

victim was not

injured during

the incident,

police said.

When the

victim's mother,

another event worker, ques-

Wood

tioned Wood, he ran from

her. Several event workers were

able to detain Wood in his trail-

er until a police officer arrived.

Wood was arrested and is

currently in the Osceola County

Jail being held without bond.

Critically injure d

in crash

Forty-two-year-old Mark

Taliento, of Kissimmee, was

to avoid district staff from having to stay late. Workshops previously had been scheduled at 5 p.m.

Grego added to the issue of board members' behavior. He confronted Horn about a rumor that "ran rampant" about removing him early that stemmed from a comment she had made last week at a social outing.

After the vote, Wheeler publicly thanked Grego for his service to Osceola County.

"Wherever you go, you will flourish," he said. "You have exceeded my expectations."

critically injured at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday in a onevehicle crash on Dr. Phillips Boulevard at Conroy Windermere Road in Orlando.

Taliento, driving a 2001 Lincoln Navigator, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. He was the only occupant in the vehicle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Taliento was traveling north on Dr. Phillips Boulevard in the inside travel lane when he failed to negotiate a curve to the left, causing his SUV to travel onto the northbound shoulder, where it collided with a light pole and overturned. Taliento was ejected from the vehicle.

The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

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Page A4, NEWS-GAZETTE ? Online All The Time ? ? Thursday, March 31, 2011

OPINION

Our View

Kudos for moving forward

Kudos to the local officials who helped facilitate the Florida Technical College expanding its operations by opening a new campus in Kissimmee, on West Vine Street.

Beginning at 5 p.m. today, the college will celebrate the grand opening of that campus, which will help educate local residents for jobs in growing professions. Any new use of empty space along West Vine Street is welcome news. Situated at Osceola Square Mall, the college will offer programs in healthcare, business, beauty, culinary arts and other higher-demand careers.

Kudos also to the Osceola County Commission and the Osceola County Sheriff's Office for beginning to look at the the issue of pain management clinics, or pill mills, in the unincorporated areas of the county. We believe Osceola County government needs to develop an ordinance ? just as the city of St. Cloud is doing and Orange and Polk counties did last year ? for getting control of this activity. A county moratorium on the licensing of pain management clinics would be a good idea and a good first step.

We also applaud Gov. Rick Scott for estab-

lishing a multi-agency strike force for combating illegal drug activity in Florida ? including prescription drugs ? by helping local law enforcement. If all the statistics being cited by the governor and local law enforcement authorities are correct ? and we have no reason to doubt them ? then getting control of pill mills on the state level is long overdue.

Scott said the new anti-drug initiative addresses the multiple threats to public health and safety, including "pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, unscrupulous doctors, storefront pill mills masquerading as legitimate health clinics and street corner dealers."

As the governor said, the numbers show that Florida has a serious problem that demands a serious, coordinated law enforcement response. We certainly agree with that assessment.

Kudos also to the county' Tourist Development Council for recommending several important changes to its governance Tuesday. We agree that more representation is needed from the lodging sector on the council and that term limits for both appointees and chairmen are appropriate.

OSCEOLA NEWS-GAZETTE

Editor MARVIN G. CORTNER

Assistant Editor RICK MADEWELL

Year 112 ? No. 26

Publisher: PAULA STARK

Associate Editor BRIAN McBRIDE

Sports Editor RICK PEDONE Advertising Director

TOM LATOS

Production Manager ELLEN JOHNSTON Circulation Manager KATHY BECKHAM

(USPS Number 513540) (ISSN 1060-1244) Published each Thursday

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Thanking firefighters

To the editor: We rely on our firefighters to protect life and property on a daily basis, and even more now during these continued drought condition. I would like to take a moment to thank our firefighters. Professional firefighters provide a valuable service to the community. Not only do they fight fires, they also provide assistance in hazardous weather, carbon monoxide threats, in addition to being first responders to the scene of an accident providing life-saving emergency medical care. I am humbled by the stories of countless firefighters who put their lives on the line every day for others in their community. I am most thankful for the time firefighters take to help raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Association. Their efforts provide help and hope to local Central Florida citizens affected by neuromuscular diseases. The funds raised through their Fill the Boot campaign provide services such as specialized clinics, MDA Summer Camp, repairs and loans of medical equipment, as well as funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures for the 43 neuromuscular diseases that fall under MDA's umbrella. I urge everyone to thank the firefighters for all that they do for the residents of Central Florida.

Kathy Henry Executive Director Central Florida MDA

Think twice

To the editor: A bill (HB 967) by Mike Horner, a representative from Kissimmee, provides a windfall for auto insurance companies

because it allows them to systematically delay and deny injury claims with language that is supposedly being introduced to curb fraud.

The problem is that there is no anti-fraud language. Where is the fraud? Only 4 percent of all reported claims resulted in a conviction in 2008 and 2009. The bill slashes and caps attorney's fees for those who require a last line of defense against multi-million dollar insurance companies from delaying or denying their legitimate claims.

This bill also forces physicians to attend recorded statements at the leisure of the insurance company on every claim. Horner's bill is completely anti-consumer and greatly affects those who represent and treat people who are injured in a car accident. The leadership in Tallahassee should refrain from even hearing this piece of legislation and Horner's constituents should think twice next time.

Raymond Ruszkowski Curler Bay

Time for change?

To the editor: As other states and school

districts in Florida have adjusted their board membership to include at large members and an elected board chair, I wonder if the time has come to bring back the issue locally for discussion.

Issues and interest relevant to educating our children cross political, regional, ethnic and economic boundaries. A greater representation could provide more expertise, more ideas, more encouragement for good programs and more focus and reinforcement of policies that promote our school district vision and mission. Adding new members would not need to cost the taxpayers anymore money, if we lower the salaries and benefits of board members to a part time status instead of being reimbursed the same as a full time beginning teacher.

As servant leaders representing our community children, I don't think this is unreasonable. In fact in some places, the board takes no salary. I know some in our own community, who would serve for free and return the money back to our schools for school improvement. That would be a novel idea too.

Wade Davis St. Cloud

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