ORLANDO -- As part of its 5th anniversary and recent move from New Smyrna Beach to Lake Mary, Headline Surfer is going to do what some naysayers would dismiss as unrealistic -- maybe even ridiculous, which is all the more reason why the 24/7 internet newspaper with one shoe-leather journalist is going to do it: Headline Surfer is going to count down the Top 500 Newsmakers in Central Florida until No. 1 is crowned, literally.
More on the crowning later.
Here are the requirements to be considered: A person doesn't have to live here, but must be a regular contributor to the news scene or a returning figure at least twice a year.
The Top 500 is not just for the usual power elite personalities, politicians athletes and celebrities, whose names are bandied about in specialty publications or advertising supplements, but also the not-so-famous -- the obscure person who has or is making a difference in some way in the lives of others.
In keeping with the 5th anniversary theme, selections will come from those in the news over the last five years.
The terrain from which the candidates are considered will come from the following 10 counties or outsiders who have had a significant impact in any, some or even all of these counties Headline Surfer has defined as its general coverage area: Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Putnam, Marion and Lake counties.
The beauty of having 500 selections is that every county will be represented. It's a requirement that at least somebody comes from one of the counties, kind of like the Major League Baseball All-Star roster where all the teams have at least one player.
This could take a bit of time, but heck, the pundits don't think it will ever happen any way. Won't they be eating crow when No. 1 is crowned from Headline Surfer's Top 500 Newsmakers countdown.
Like any countdown, it is more subjective than objective, but the rankings are what will get people talking. It's a great way for Headline Surfer to hob-nob with the movers and shakers of Central Florida and share the experiences with you.
It's also a great way to generate advertising revenue so Headline Surfer can pay the rent and continue upgrading the 24/7 internet newspaper.
The first five newsmakers shown here as above above, from left to right, are John Morgan, Orlando attorney; Lauren Rowe, evening news anchor Ch. 6 in Orlando; former Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno; Mary Lawson-Brown, City of Palatka vice mayor and Rich DewVos, owner Orlando Magic and founder of Amway. The next five newsmakers, again left to right, are former Congresswoman Sandy Adams; Disney CEO Bob Iger; Wendy Libby, president of Stetson University; NBA superstar and Daytona Beach native Vince Carter and Mandy Moore, actress/singer who calls Orlando home.Headline Surfer Multimedia:
The New Smyrna Beach High School Cudas Marching Band's staple, "The Final Countdown," by '80s band Europe, was the catalyst for Headline Surfer's 5th anniversary countdowns of the Top 500 Stories and the Top 500 Newsmakers.
Here is the link to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp4QatBYAKdgQYUOnuGAE2g.
Here you will find the best of our video catalogue of community events throughout Greater Daytona Beach-New Smyrna Beach and as far away as Miami and Tallahassee, whenever needed to cover the news that matters. In all, Headline Surfer has more than 5,000 raw videos in its arsenal. And while the Orlando TV stations are far superior in major breaking news coverage to our husband-wife team, no media outlet in Central Florida has the hyper-local video coverage of community events we've provided nearly every day for the past 5 years.
Discography:
Band: Europe; Song: The Final Countdown; Album: The Final Countdown; Billboard Hot 100: USA No. 8 (No. 1 in GB); Awesome Fact: No. 1 in 26 countries, including Germany, with 8 million-plus singles sold worldwide; Sad Fact: Voted No. 1 on VH1's 40 Most Awesomely Bad Metal Songs; Source: Songfacts.com.