|
| September 15, 2006- City News |
|
Dear friends,
Today I participated in a POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony at City Hall, hosted by my Veterans Advisory Council. This event honored United States Military prisoners of war and those still missing in action. The VFW Post 2093 Band provided patriotic music and members of the University of Central Florida’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 performed the setting of the table ceremony. Five cadets, representing the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, used items on the table to symbolize the commitment we have to remember our prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.
Our Country owes a great debt to the veterans who served in our armed forces and to the men and women serving today.
In addition, the City recognized Orlando’s veterans, including those from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and our present wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, by dedicating the “Veterans Conference Room” on the second floor of City Hall today. This room, used by the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council and other groups meeting in City Hall, has been decorated with memorabilia from our Nation's wars and the five branches of the military. While many families’ thoughts are on spouses, parents or children currently serving overseas, it is fitting that we recognize the sacrifices our soldiers make for our liberty.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
|
|
Community Venues Workshops
At Monday morning’s City Council workshop, the council held the first of two public workshops related to community venues. Glatting Jackson, a community planning and design firm based in Orlando, presented phase two of the master planning process. This process looks at how the community venues impact everything from property values, traffic flows and parking, to where people walk and shop Downtown.
Additionally, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and Convention, Sports and Leisure shared a detailed overview of the important economic and quality of life benefits that community venues in Downtown Orlando represent. During the three to four year construction period alone, the proposed community venues are estimated to generate approximately $1.1 billion in total economic output and would support approximately 10,800 jobs.
To view the individual presentations by Glatting Jackson or the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, visit CityofOrlando.net. A short video highlighting the comments of neighborhood residents from the community venues neighborhood meetings is also available to view online.
On September 18 at 9 a.m., the City will hold another public workshop from the venue partners – the Orlando Performing Arts Center, Inc., Florida Citrus Sports, the Orlando Magic and other arena tenants -- to provide citizens and City Council a chance to learn more about the specific recommendations to enhance community venues and what each venue means to the community. For more information on the community venues, visit cityoforlando.net.
|
|
September 11 Memorial
On Monday, September 11, Mayor Buddy Dyer joined the Orlando Fire Department at Fire House Number One for a candlelight memorial service to honor the 343 members of the New York Fire Department who lost their lives. This event included a flag ceremony, a presentation featuring pictures of each individual firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice that day and a lighting ceremony of 343 candles in honor of those firefighters.
POW-MIA Remembrance Ceremony
 During today's POW-MIA ceremony, cadets from the University of Central Florida Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 represented each of the five branches of the military at the “Setting of the Table” ceremony. Organized by the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council, the event also included patriotic music performed by the VFW Post 2093 Band. Afterwards, Mayor Dyer dedicated the “Veterans Conference Room”, formerly Conference Room U, on the second floor of City Hall. The Veterans Advisory Council has filled the conference room with memorabilia of American wars and military branches as a permanent recognition of Veterans.
TLC Ribbon Cutting
On Tuesday, September 12, Mayor Dyer cut the ribbon at TLC’s new corporate headquarters in Downtown Orlando at 255 South Orange Avenue. TLC is an Orlando engineering firm with over 50 years of service.
|
|
 On Saturday, September 16th, the UCF Golden Knights will take on their in-state rival, the University of South Florida Bulls. The game will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl. The UCF students had a contest to name the rivalry, so now the game will be referred to as the “Battle of the Grid Iron Gold” since both universities have gold as one of their school colors.
In addition, Mayor Dyer and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio have made a friendly wager over the game. If USF loses, Mayor Iorio will send Mayor Dyer a Cuban sandwich from the Colombia Restaurant in Tampa. In the unlikely event that UCF loses, Mayor Dyer will send her lunch from a Darden Restaurant here in Orlando.
Citizens are encouraged to attend Saturday’s rivalry game and help cheer the Golden Knights on to victory! GO KNIGHTS!
|
|
SportsTravel magazine has announced that the 2005 Dew Action Sports Tour Playstation Pro event has been nominated for a 2006 SportsTravel Award. Winners will be announced in October.
"Since the location of the event is a major part of the criteria for being nominated, the people of Orlando should take great pride in knowing that an event held in their City is being recognized for its excellence," said Timothy Schneider, publisher of SportsTravel magazine, which organizes the TEAMS Conference and Expo.
|
|
 To answer the question, “What would the Monopoly board look like if it was invented today?” Hasbro had an online voting contest this Spring to let fans of the game choose new property landmarks. A city’s total number of votes would determine where it was placed on the board. Orlando’s Walt Disney World was chosen to replace Illinois Avenue. Hasbro considers this red property the most landed-upon space during any game.
|
|
Beginning Sunday, September 10, drivers may experience multiple lane closures and rolling roadblocks on eastbound I-4 between SR 408 and Amelia Street in Downtown Orlando, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.
Because of these activities, which are part of the I-4/SR 408 Interim Interchange Improvement Project, exit ramps from eastbound I-4 to South Street and Anderson Street may be intermittently closed.
For more information, visit www.trans4mation.org.
|
|
The City of Orlando’s Transportation Department will hold a workshop related to the Downtown Orlando Transportation Plan on Thursday, October 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Residents and businesses are invited to participate in the review before the plan is finalized. The workshop will be held in the Overlook Room on the ninth floor of City Hall at 400 S. Orange Avenue. For more information, contact Jason Burton at 407-246-3389.
|
|
|
|
Mayor's Message
