Major League Soccer
Commissioners, as you know last week was the end of the legislative session and unfortunately, we were not able to get legislation passed that would have provided a state sales tax rebate to assist with the construction of a new Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium. The politics of a sales tax referendum for the Miami Dolphins complicated what should have been a fairly easy effort for MLS.

Despite this, the City is committed to pursuing an MLS team because of the economic investment and job opportunities it will bring to our entire region along with quality of life amenities that a professional sports franchise offers.

I would like to thank our local legislative delegation, led by Senator Gardner, Senators Simmons and Soto and Representatives Nelson and Stewart, who worked very hard to get our legislation passed.

Clean the World Trip
The week before last, I joined a team from Clean the World for a soap distribution trip to the Dominican Republic.

If you’re not familiar, Clean the World, which is located in Parramore, is a non-profit that takes partially-used soap from hotels, sterilizes and recycles it and then distributes the soap to children and families who do not have access to or cannot afford soap.

Why? Because each day, more than 9,000 children around the world die from diseases that can be prevented by washing with bar soap.

During our three days in the Dominican Republic, our team distributed 10,000 bars of soap to 2,000 children who live in five different villages across the country. And, we didn’t just distribute the soap, we taught the kids how to use the soap to properly kill germs – using a superhero skit and a song to the tune of La Bamba.

I must admit, when I agreed to go, I didn’t realize it would involve singing and acting.

While we were there, we partnered with Children’s International, an organization which provides many of the social services for children in the Dominican Republic including after school care, medical and dental services.

The Director of Children’s International in the Dominican Republic explained that their organization serves the poorest of the poor and the families have an average monthly income of $120. Only 20% of the families have piped water and may have to walk up to two miles to get their water each day. Many of the children must walk 45 minutes to receive the services offered at their centers.

Being part of Clean the World’s team made me realize how thankful I am that one of our own local non-profits is making a difference in lives around the world, and they don’t just distribute internationally. They also distribute to the underserved and homeless right here in our own community.

Not only that, Clean the World has prevented 1.5 million pounds of hotel waste from going into our landfills.

I encourage you to learn more about Clean the World and all they are doing to impact our community and the communities of others. In addition to volunteering on soap distribution trips, they are always looking for volunteers to scrape the top layer off the used soap.

Orlando Police Department Domestic Violence Award
Today I’d like to recognize one our dedicated Orlando Police officers, Roland Clee, for his outstanding support of crime victims and their families.

Roland was honored by Attorney General Pam Bondi during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and received the Distinguished David S. Crawford “Law Enforcement Officer Victim Services Award.”

Roland has played an integral role in several major City initiatives aimed at assisting domestic violence victims. He has been the organizer and promoter of numerous victims’ rights events, including the largest domestic violence awareness event in the history of Orlando. As a result of that domestic violence awareness event, 38 families sought shelter.

Thank you Roland for your hard work and dedication.

Public Service Recognition Week
This week is "Public Service Recognition Week," when we honor the employees of federal, state and local governments throughout the United States for their important contributions as public servants. This week, we honor the diverse men and women who meet the needs of the United States through work at all levels of government. Since the founding of our country, public employees have worked to ensure that our government is the best in the world. I’d like to take time today to honor our unsung heroes here at the City of Orlando for their dedication. Thank you!

Single Family Development
Permitting and development activity have been on the rise in the City of Orlando. On Monday, the City Council approved three plats that would allow for 672 new single-family homes, 549 of which are in the southeast near Medical City. This is yet another strong indicator that Orlando is pulling further out of the recession.

Creative Village
On Monday, the City Council also approved a re-plat for infrastructure projects planned at the Creative Village site. The re-plat will allow for the future realignment of Livingston Street and the recreation of Terry Avenue. This action also designates the necessary right-of-way for the Parramore Bus Rapid Transit system, which will break ground this summer. This will help re-establish the grid system at the site, laying the groundwork for the creation of a true urban neighborhood.

Tuskegee Airman
On Monday’s agenda was an item that will create the first ever monument in the U.S. honoring the Red Tail Pilots of the Tuskegee Airman. On Tuesday, Buddy Dyer will join with Commissioner Stuart, Commissioner Ings, Vision of Flight and the Orlando Science Center to break ground on the future location of the monument.

Three surviving Red Tail pilots who call Central Florida home will also be in attendance and recognized for their service at the event. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces.

Firehouse Subs Grant for Hands-Only CPR Classes
Through our Hands-Only CPR initiative, 95% of our City employees have been trained. Next we will be looking to expand this life saving program into the community, teaching our residents and businesses.

Monday’s agenda included a grant from Firehouse Subs that will provide for CPR equipment so the City and the Orlando Fire Department can further expand this program and educate our community.