Dear friends,

On Monday, January 15, the City of Orlando will observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. This special holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the timeless values he taught us through his example -- the values of courage, compassion, and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership.

This past Thursday, the Mayors’ Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission began its celebration to honor a man who as a leader not only dreamed of a color-blind society, but lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality. Some of the upcoming weekend events include a “Living the Dream” Parade on Saturday, January 13 at 10 a.m. in Downtown Orlando and a candlelight vigil and march on Sunday, January 14, starting at Orlando City Hall at 6 p.m. and ending at the First Presbyterian Church.

I encourage everyone to take part in the activities commemorating the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday this week. A complete listing of events being sponsored by the Mayor’s Martin Luther King Holiday Commission is included in the events section of this newsletter and also can be found on www.cityoforlando.net.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

City Hall offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Garbage, recycling and yard waste services will be provided on their normal schedule.

The Mayor’s Safe Orlando Task Force had a well-attended community forum on Wednesday, January 10, to get community input on public safety in our City. The task force is working in tandem with the Orlando Police Department to develop recommendations that tackle crime-related issues and education, and to help develop a strategic action plan using police, volunteer and community resources.

Citizens are encouraged to participate in the following successful programs being used to improve public safety.

• Citizens for Neighborhood Watch - Citizens for Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that provides home and personal safety training including free home and business security surveys; hosts Operation I.D. to engrave personal items for easy identification; and gives regular updates on neighborhood crimes statistics and crime alert bulletins. To get involved call 407.246.2461.



• Citizen Observer Program (COP) - Volunteers help police maintain liveable neighborhoods by performing crime watch duties and alert the police department of hazards and unlawful behavior. To get involved call 407.246.2461.



• Crimeline - Citizens are encouraged to anonymously notify the Orlando Police Department with information and suspects involved in crimes. The Crimeline phone number is 407.423.TIPS(8477).



• Drug Hotline - An anonymous hotline where citizens can report drug activity to the Orlando Police Department. The Drug Hotline phone number is 407.246.CRAK(2725).



• Citizen Police Academy - A program that introduces citizens to police work from how to patrol neighborhoods to tactics used in high-risk incidents. This academy is also offered during the day for senior citizens and in Spanish. Call 407.246.2461 for class times and dates.



• School Educational Programs - The Orlando Police Department offers “Super Kids," an elementary school program and the GREAT Program "Gang Resistance Education and Training," which is included in the Middle School curriculum and addresses community service and drug awareness and prevention.



• Faith-Based Neighborhood Outreach - A partnership between the City and local faith based leaders with a focus on educating and engaging the community. For more information call 407.246.2104.

Community Venues - Yesterday, during the City Council meeting, staff conducted a public presentation on the major terms of the Events Center agreement with the Orlando Magic.

At the beginning of the presentation, Mayor Dyer highlighted the fact that the City had worked with experts, analyzed similar projects in other communities and heard concerns from residents to develop principles that guided the City’s position during the negotiations. For example:

	There is no financial risk more costly or significant than cost overruns. The City wanted to be assured that if this project went over budget, it would not be necessary to use any more public money. So, the Magic is eliminating that risk by agreeing to pay any cost overruns.
	The City worked for months to find a way to pay for the Venues that would keep the County – at their request – from taking on any financial risk. The Magic stepped up and helped fill a financial gap by taking on the risk of $100 million worth of tourist tax bonds.
	The City needed to make sure that they did not have to cover additional operational costs for the new Venue, so the Magic guaranteed an annual contribution that is $500,000 more than their agreement with the Amway Arena. We wanted to make sure the City didn’t build a building only to have the Magic leave Orlando. So, they’ve made a long-term commitment to our region, ensuring that another community can’t steal them away. We wanted to make sure the City didn’t build a building only to have the Magic leave Orlando. So, they’ve made a long-term commitment to our region, ensuring that another community can’t steal them away.
	The City wanted to solidify our Downtown as the region’s heart and soul. And, a site was found that not only met the needs of the Magic but that benefits economic revitalization in Downtown neighborhoods including Parramore.

You can find a full video of the meeting online at www.CityofOrlando.net in the Community Venues section under “Materials/Presentations.”

Downtown Development Board Staff Announced – Thomas C. Chatmon, Jr. has been appointed to the position of Executive Director of the Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). He will be joining the City team effective February 19, 2007. Thomas comes to Orlando from Albany, Georgia were he served as the president and chief executive officer for Albany Tomorrow, Inc. He has overseen such landmark downtown projects as the construction of the Flint RiverQuarium, the Turtle Grove Play Park and the development of the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and Conference Center. In addition, he was instrumental in developing and implementing the $210 million Albany Downtown Riverfront Master Plan. Also joining the DDB this week is new Assistant Director Laura Morgan.

City Attorney - Mayanne Downs, was confirmed at Thursday’s meeting as the new City Attorney. A shareholder of King, Blackwell, Downs & Zhender, P.A., Downs is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association and the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers. She is a current member of the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar and on the Board of Directors for the Orlando Performing Arts Center. Jody Litchford was recognized for her leadership as interim City Attorney and will remain a key member and advisor of this administration.

Three Kings Day

On Saturday, January 6, Mayor Buddy Dyer, along with District 2 Commissioner Betty T. Wyman and Police Chief Michael McCoy, participated in the Three Kings Day Celebration at the City’s Dover Shores Community Center. The three helped distribute toys to hundreds of underprivileged children as part of the National Latino Peace Officers Association’s Three Kings Day Celebration.

Hope Happens 2006

On Wednesday, January 10, Mayor Dyer was honored at the annual Seeds of Peace Fundraiser “Hope Happens 2006” for his work as an advocate for the Seeds of Peace program. Seeds of Peace empowers young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence.

On December 21, Governor Bush entered an executive order of removal under state law that has left a vacancy for the District 6 City Commission seat. As a result, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has called for a special election on February 13, 2007 to permanently fill the District 6 Orlando City Commission seat.

To vote for the District 6 City Commissioner, please note the following dates:

January 16 – Last day to register to vote to participate in the election
February 5 – Early voting begins
February 13 – Special District 6 Election

Location Change for Precinct 6401

In addition, Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church will not be available as a polling place for Precinct 6401. Precinct 6401 and Precinct 6501 will vote at Fire Station #12 at 1588 Park Center Drive.

To register to vote, visit the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office at 119 W. Kaley Street or call 407-836-2070. For more information or to find your precinct, visit CityofOrlando.net, www.ocfelections.com or call 407-246-2251.

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email: buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net