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| February 2, 2007- City News |
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Dear friends,
February is National Black History Month. This year’s theme entitled “From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in America” recognizes the hard work and persistence of several generations of African Americans who strived to gain the freedom of our country’s promised ideals. It celebrates those individuals, who despite difficult circumstances, challenged themselves by obtaining remarkable achievements and advancing their community.
Initially, Black History Month began as a weeklong event in 1915. Scholar and historian Carter G. Woodson wished to endorse the achievements of Africans and their impact on history. This weeklong celebration overlapped the birthdays of two men who were instrumental in ending slavery, President Abraham Lincoln and Abolitionist Frederick Douglass. By 1950, this week had become an integral aspect of African American culture as Mayors throughout the nation recognized it with proclamations. Upon its fifteenth anniversary in 1976, the commemoration developed into a month long celebration that it is today.
During the month of February, City News will highlight African Americans from Orlando’s rich history and culture that have been recognized in many ways including dedications of streets, community centers and parks. This month is a time to honor and rejoice their achievements. African Americans have immeasurably contributed in making our country great and their heritage is a stronghold of the American fabric.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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| Black History Month Highlight
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Orlando’s African American History
by Don Price, City Archivist and Sexton
As we are at the start of National Black History Month, I was asked to reflect on the “movers and shakers” of Orlando. We, as citizens, know the legacies, but might not realize that the names attached to the parks, buildings, community centers and roads were actually named in honor of black individuals that helped carve Orlando into the diverse city we know today.
As I was trying to focus on one individual that could be highlighted for the start of this four part series, I could not focus on just one. There were many people who, in their own way, shaped Orlando and overcame many obstacles in their path so they could realize equality.
Many don’t realize that Orlando was under “Jim Crow” laws until the late 1960’s. These laws segregated the population; meaning that whites and blacks could not participate in the same activities until these laws were overturned. There were separate schools, separate bathrooms and separate water fountains. Greenwood Cemetery even had separate burial sections for the black community.
Many black residents proudly served in the armed forces defending this great country, but could not vote in the “white primaries.” Imagine being willing to sacrifice your life to serve your country overseas, but not being able to cast a vote to elect your representatives.
Many of the names we remember today are: Pauline Ravenall (Ravenall Avenue); Dr. I. S. Hankins (Hankins Park); L. Claudia Allen (Senior Center); Dr. J. B. Callahan (Senior Center and Callahan Drive); Commissioner Nap Ford (Nap Ford School) and J. A. Colyer (Coyler Street).
Over the next month, I will focus on the backgrounds of people who have made a difference, made a sacrifice or gave back to their community against all odds.
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 This section of City News provides public safety updates on ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.
On January 29, Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, County Mayor Richard Crotty and Police Chief Michael McCoy for a press conference highlighting Governor Charlie Crist’s public safety budget priorities. Lt. Governor Kottkamp announced Governor Crist’s budget recommendations for $21.8 million to implement the Anti-Murder Act and $3.7 million to increase cyber crime investigations and prevent Internet crimes against children.
“I applaud the Governor on this tough stance on violent crime and strongly support him in this important effort,” said Mayor Buddy Dyer.
The Anti-Murder Act will require brutal felony offenders who violate probation to return to jail until the court determines whether the individual poses a danger to the community. Governor Crist also proposes to strengthen Florida’s existing cyber crime unit to increase investigation, enforcement and prosecution of sex offenders who use the Internet to solicit children for sex acts.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of Floridians, and locking up violent felony offenders who threaten the community will help ensure that safety,” said Lt. Governor Kottkamp.
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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 seat.
To vote for the District 6 City Commissioner, please note the following dates:
Important Special Election Dates:
February 5, 2007 – Early voting begins
February 7, 2007 - Last day to request an absentee ballot (call 407-836-2070 for more information)
February 10, 2007 - Early voting ends
February 13, 2007 – Election Day
District 6 polling locations:
Precinct 6101
Orlando Fire Station #7 – 671 S. Goldwyn Ave.
Precinct 6201
Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center – 1723 Bruton Blvd.
Precinct 6301
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church – 4077 Prince Hall Blvd.
Precincts 6401 and 6501
PLEASE NOTE A POLLING LOCATION CHANGE FOR PRECINCT 6401:
Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church will not be available for this special election. Therefore, Fire Station #12 (1588 Park Center Drive) will be the polling place for both Precincts 6401 and 6501.
Precinct 6601
Windhover Condominium Association – 5987 Windhover Dr.
For more information about the election, visit www.cityoforlando.net or call 407-246-2251. To find your polling place, visit www.ocfelections.com or the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office at 119 W. Kaley Street or call 407-836-2070.
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Since 1950, Central Florida’s population has grown almost ten fold. By 2050, our population will double again. Over the last nine months, MyRegion.org has held 140 community meetings and talked with more than 9,000 Central Floridians. These discussions have identified ways that our region can grow and prosper, resulting in the creation of four choices for future growth based on three core principles: keep as much green space as possible, contain growth into centers of population and connect current and future centers of population with a variety of transportation choices.
Through February 14, Central Florida residents can visit MyRegion.org to learn more about growth in our region and to vote on their choice for our region’s future. MyRegion.org is a non-profit organization that aims to educate local leaders and identify issues that impact the Central Florida area.
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Mayor Buddy Dyer joined a walking group at the Beardall Senior Center on Monday, January 29. The group is part of the City of Orlando’s Get Active Orlando campaign and encourages seniors to be active at least 30 minutes a day.
 Mayor Dyer and District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan cut the ribbon on the new Lake Eola Park playground on Tuesday, January 29. The new state-of-the-art playground includes special play features for different age groups.
 The Bishop Moore High School Band was presented a $500 check by the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council for being voted “Best Performance” in last November’s Orlando Veterans Day Parade.
On Friday, February 2, Mayor Dyer attended President John Hitt’s State of the University address at the UCF Center in Downtown Orlando.
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Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and the ExtraCredit Campaign Coalition on Thursday, February 1, 2007 to kickoff Central Florida’s 2007 ExtraCredit Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign.
No other federal program has been more successful in helping working families and moving children out of poverty than the Earned Income Tax Credit. For the 2006 tax year, the IRS estimates that more than $32 million is waiting to be put into the hands of working families right here in Central Florida.
To assist eligible residents to earn this credit, the ExtraCredit Coalition promotes 29 volunteer income tax assistance sites in Orange County where recipients who qualify can get their taxes filed electronically for free. The 2007 ExtraCredit Campaign offers information services through www.orlando.org , 2-1-1 or 407.839.HELP.
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Mayor's Message
