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SUMMER 2012 Publisher Light Shine Media Group, LLC
Wishes for a summer filled with happy memories. Enjoy!
Editor-in-Chief Pamela Settle
Contributing Writers Wayne Anderson Dr. Terry Collier Pete Cosentino Melissa Kanaris Paula Keyser Steven J. Lee Dr. Madeline Levine Calley Pate
Design and Layout Marcie Kelliher
Account Managers Tory Perfetti Reall Whiteman
Data Manager Tom Eckert
Website WP by Design
GoodLiving™ Magazine & TampaBayGoodLiving.com P.O. Box 1795 Oldsmar, Florida 34677 (727) 776-3656 info@goodlivingmag.com
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Letter from editor For the story about local executives finding ways to cut the school budget, I had the opportunity to sit and discuss education with three board members plus the CEO of the Pinellas Education Foundation. What an informative time that was! Please take a moment to read this story and then go to “website resources” to read more. The work that is being done is really quite extraordinary and deserves the attention of local taxpayers. As a taxpayer myself, I felt a sense of hope that people outside of politics could use their expertise to find practical ways to cut expenses. As a parent, I was truly grateful that leaders, outside of the day-to-day school operations, were that sincerely committed to the betterment of education and to the proper compensation of teachers. As a community advocate, I felt a strong sense of purpose to encourage readers to pay attention to the current issues, like the fact that Pinellas County needs to hire a new superintendent. These executives feel strongly, that as a community, we need to demand the best. There is no easier way to get involved than by joining your school’s PTA. They have recently joined forces with the Pinellas Education Foundation and you’re going to see a lot of action from them. One goal is to mobilize parents by increase PTA membership and communicate regularly. Another goal is to give parents a stronger voice by doing surveys. If you have a child in a public school, I cannot urge you enough to step up your involvement and have a voice. One part of this conversation has really stuck with me. The point was made that if a person goes to a “how to be successful” seminar, they are going to learn it’s all about positive attitudes and mindset. Well, doesn’t the same hold true for a community? For the school system? For the county? Can’t we become more successful by adopting a positive mindset about our community? Can’t we achieve greatness in our schools by believing we are great and acting that way? Is it true that if we think and act like winners, that we will create a winning community? People defy the odds and overcome obstacles everyday. Communities can do the same. But is it difficult to do this when that community is constantly fed bad news? News about how poor our schools are, how inept our politicians are, how bad the economy is and so on? Good questions! I’ll admit I felt a little satisfaction at that point, because two years ago the whole idea behind GoodLiving magazine was to be a place where local good news was welcome. Where the good people could shine all over our pages to get well-deserved recognition and inspire others to follow their passions. Where companies who genuinely care about the community could be seen as good corporate citizens. Where readers could go and feel good about where they live because everyone wants to be a winner; everyone wants to feel a sense of community pride and everyone, no matter the demographic, is attracted to good. So we are glad to be here two years later as the teller of good news! We feel blessed to share the stories that appear in this magazine. My own life has been enriched by the people I meet and I am happy to say there are many, many more stories to tell. And that my dear readers is a sign of greatness! Until next time, be good!
Pamela Settle