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| October 20, 2006- City News |
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Dear friends,
Just three weeks ago, Mayor Crotty and I stood together with the Orlando City Council and the Orange County Commission and unveiled a proposed plan that will build on the revival of our urban core.
This plan will take our vision for three world-class community venues, a revitalized Parramore community and a thriving downtown core and turn it into a reality.
As we continue to move forward in this open process, I’d like to recap on where we’ve been. The City hosted nine neighborhood meetings where residents provided input on the community venues as well as three public workshops to update residents on the master planning process. We’ve also participated in more than a dozen presentations to community and business groups and have launched a dedicated web page on cityoforlando.net that offers detailed information on the community venues.
Next steps will include establishing a formal structure to guide and manage these projects, which includes defining the public bidding process for obtaining consultants. Our goal is to create a structure that ensures all groups are informed and engaged throughout the process from the City Council to Parramore residents to the local business community. In addition, Commissioner Lynum and City staff have been researching ways to make sure our local businesses and minority-owned businesses are participants in this process.
Then, in either December or January, an interlocal agreement regarding a funding structure for the community venues projects will be brought before City Council and the County Commission. As part of this process, on Monday, October 30 at 10 a.m., the City’s financial staff will be conducting a public workshop for City Council regarding the proposed master financing plan. Residents of the City are encouraged to attend this important meeting.
As we have often said, this isn’t just about the buildings; it’s about building a community. These projects will not just enhance our resident’s quality of life; it will provide new educational opportunities, unprecedented economic impact and transform our region’s urban core.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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 On Tuesday, Marilyn Mennello, a promoter of the arts and local charities, passed away. Her numerous contributions to our community, specifically her endowment to the Mennello Museum, will remain her legacy for generations to come.
A resident of this area since 1962, Marilyn Mennello was involved in the creation of the Orlando Museum of Art and the Council of 101. Her fund-raising efforts through the years benefited the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, American Heart Association and Florida Hospital. She was known for her gift of persuasion, her grace and her charm.
In the late 1960s, Mrs. Mennello came upon a talented, yet mostly unknown artist named Earl Cunningham. Throughout the years, their friendship grew, and Marilyn collected many of his works. Years after his death, Cunningham would become recognized as a brilliant folk artist thanks to Marilyn’s efforts. When Marilyn and her husband, Michael, established the Mennello Museum of American Art, they donated their collection of Cunningham’s works which serves as the centerpiece collection today.
Visitation will be at the Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 E. Princeton Street in Orlando on Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, at Knowles Memorial Chapel, 1000 Holt Avenue, on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park.
In lieu of flowers, the Mennello family is requesting that donations be made to the Mennello Museum. All donations should be designated to The Marilyn Fund.
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Apple Core Kick Off
 On Tuesday, October 17, Mayor Dyer hosted the Apple CORE (City of Orlando Reading Excellence) kick-off luncheon. The Apple CORE program provides an opportunity for City employees to mentor elementary school students. City employees spend at least one hour a week assisting students with their schoolwork.
White Cane Safety Day
On Monday, October 16th, Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando recognized White Cane Safety Day as a day to make the public aware of the laws regulating special accommodations for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. Local vision rehabilitation agencies joined together to encourage safe street crossing with the use of white canes. Crossing demonstrations were done at two locations that day, the corner of Chickasaw and Valencia College Way and at the Orange County Courthouse.
According to Florida Traffic Code, whenever a blind or visually impaired person carrying a white cane or led by a guide dog is crossing a street, driveway, or any other place, all traffic must come to a complete stop until the person has safely crossed. Failure to yield the right of way to a blind person is a moving violation, which may result in a fine of $90 and three points on your driver’s license.
Orlando Film Festival
Mayor Dyer attended the opening night of the Orlando Film Festival at the City Arts Factory on Thursday, October 19. In its inaugural year, the three-day festival lasts through Saturday night and takes place in various venues downtown. Visit www.orlandofilmfest.com for information.
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Doggie Dining
 With the adoption of the State’s Doggie Dining Bill, the City Council approved a local ordinance allowing restaurants to apply for “Doggie Dining” permits. This permit will allow dogs in designated outdoor areas of eating establishments.
The ordinance includes additional requirements for doggie dining operations, such as prohibiting restaurant employees from handling dogs, requiring hand washing if dogs are touched, providing hand sanitizer at outdoor tables, preventing dogs from coming in contact with utensils, requiring a leash on dogs, prohibiting dogs on furnishings (tables and chairs), sanitizing of tables and chairs between patrons, dog waste rules and prohibiting dogs indoors.
This ordinance comes at the request of restaurants that previously allowed dogs in their establishment until the State began to enforce regulations which forbid it. Governor Jeb Bush signed the new legislation this June in Orlando, at a ceremony that included the pet dogs of City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and State Representative Sheri McInvale.
Arts and Community Services Funding
Each year the City of Orlando financially supports nonprofit organizations that provide valuable services and cultural experinences to benefit our citizens and community groups. This year the City has committed to helping more than 30 community organizations.
The City is providing more than $1.3 million in funding for arts and culture organizations including: the Downtown Arts District, United Arts of Central Florida, Orlando Science Center and The Ivanhoe Foundation.
In addition the City provided an additional $2.1 million in funding to community service organizations including the Coalition for the Homeless, the Center for Drug Free Living, Seniors First, RSVP and Community Coordinated Care for Children.
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Mayor Dyer will attend the Seventh Annual Kids Klassic Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 21 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Ventura County Club. Chaired by Commissioner Betty Wyman and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, this tournament benefits the most successful youth golf program in the City of Orlando, “Hook a Kid on Golf,” which has given more than 1,000 disadvantaged youth the chance to learn the game of golf. Funds raised directly benefit the Orlando After-School All-Stars “Hook a Kid on Golf” program.
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Join the City of Orlando and Orlando Harley Davidson for a special ‘Thank You Troops’ event to show our appreciation for the men and women in uniform and their families. This event will feature a one-of-a-kind motorcycle parade beginning at Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island at 10 a.m., October 21. The parade will roll down I-4 to the Harley-Davidson Historic Factory Dealership and will include more than 1,000 motorcycles and military vehicles. Following the parade will be a ceremony featuring special entertainment and guest speakers troops for their continued service. Watch the parade on Vineland Road or the Conroy Road Bridge and wave to the participants as they pass by. Attendees to the event are encouraged to bring care package items including batteries, soft soap, phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, baby wipes, foot spray and disposable cameras. For more information, log onto CityofOrlando.net.
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 October is Fire Prevention Awareness Month. Last week, the Orlando Fire Department shared tips on smoke alarms. This week includes tips on preparing your family to respond in the event of a fire.
- Practice fire drills in your home with your family. Everyone should know two ways out of every room, when possible.
- You should have a meeting place outside the home, far enough away that you would be safe if there was a fire.
- Do home fire drills. You should actually exit the home and assemble at your meeting place, as children learn from practice. Note how organized the fire drills are at your child’s school. That is because they practice fire drills regularly.
- The poisonous gases in smoke are responsible for most deaths in a fire. Smoke goes up, so you should get down on the floor, where the air is cleaner.
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Mayor's Message
