Dear friends,

Starting next week, Orlando City Commissioners and I will host a series of Public Safety Information meetings throughout the City. These meetings will inform citizens about Orlando’s public safety efforts and give them ways to get involved in preventing and reporting crime in our neighborhoods.

Public safety is a community-wide responsibility, and while we can increase the number of law enforcement officers and target high crime areas, reducing the opportunities for crime is also important. Programs like Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch help residents secure their homes and businesses and reduce the opportunities for crime.

I encourage you to attend one of the public safety information meetings. If you need more information, please call the Office of Neighborhood & Community Affairs at 407-246-2169. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Tuesday, February 13, 7 p.m. - Rosemont Community Center, 4872 Rose Bay Drive

Tuesday, February 20, 9 a.m. - L. Claudia Allen Senior Center, 1840 Mable Butler Avenue

Tuesday, February 20, 7 p.m. – Howard Middle School, 800 East Robinson Street

Tuesday, March 6, 7 p.m. - Rock Lake Community Center, 440 North Tampa Avenue

Monday, March 19, 7 p.m. - Dover Shores Community Center, 1400 Gaston Foster Road

Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m. – Blankner Elementary School, 2500 South Mills Avenue

Monday, April 16, 7 p.m. – NorthLake Park Community School, 9055 NorthLake Parkway

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.

If you live in District 6, we urge you to get out and vote. Here are the important dates related to the election:

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.

This section of City News provides public safety updates on ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.

The recent Central Florida tornadoes, coupled with the upcoming National Weather Awareness Week February 11-17, show once again the importance for residents and businesses to be prepared for unpredictable weather.

To generate awareness and remind people about the risks of local hazardous weather, Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando’s Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross of Central Florida are hosting a roundtable discussion with more than 20 community organizations and agencies.

The roundtable discussion will focus on each organization’s role in the emergency management process; from preparedness, to response coordination, to post-weather mitigation.

Orlando residents are encouraged to participate in Hazardous Weather Awareness Week by developing and testing family plans and creating a disaster supplies kit. More information is available at www.cityoforlando.net and www.centralflorida.redcross.org.

At Monday’s City Council workshop the City’s Finance Department and the Orange County Property Appraiser made presentations regarding Governor Charlie Crist's Property Tax Proposal and the possible impacts to local governments across the state. They also received an update from the Orlando Housing Authority about current programs and developments in Parramore and throughout the City. To view both of these workshops, log on to CityofOrlando.net/tv.

At the City Council meeting, Commissioners approved an agreement with five little league groups to use the baseball fields at City parks for Little League games. And, City Council approved an agreement between the Orlando Fire Department and Valencia Community College that will allow EMS/Paramedic students to gain on the job experience while riding along with our OFD units and observing and assisting with calls.

As part of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and the ExtraCredit Campaign Coalition’s effort to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit, Super Saturday will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lynx Central Station, 455 N. Garland Avenue.

No other federal program has been more successful in helping working families and moving children out of poverty than the Earned Income Tax Credit Program. 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.

This event provides free tax refund preparation and other economic assistance for anyone whose household income is less than $39,000 a year.

For more information or to find out what to bring with you, go to www.orlando.org, call 211 or 407-839-HELP.

Throughout the month of February, City News will highlight individuals that have made tremendous contributions to our community. Each of these citizens has been honored by having City parks and City buildings named after them.

Dr. I. S. Hankins –Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins was born in Orlando in 1895. Dr. Hankins opened his medical practice in Orlando, Florida in 1926. He graduated from Howard Medical College and practiced in Orlando for more than 50 years. In 1974, Dr. Hankins was honored for his civic work through the dedication of a 14-acre park in his name on Columbia Street at the cost of $170,000. In 1994, the City of Orlando placed the first module building on-site for recreational activities. In 2003, the City began renovations of Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins Park and by 2004 a new building opened. The rededication for Dr. I. Sylvester Hankins Park was held on January 24, 2004.

Dr. James R. Smith – The Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center was built in 1983 and was totally renovated with an addition of a south wing in 1996. The neighborhood center is named after the late Dr. James R. Smith, a prominent physician from Aurora, Illinois. He received his BS Degree from Northwestern University in 1941 and his Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College in 1948. Dr. Smith became the first black physician in Orlando to establish a maternity clinic for black women. In addition to his flourishing medical career, Dr. Smith found time to better his community. Dr. Smith was one of the founders of the Washington Shores Federal Savings and Loans Bank; the first establishment in the State of Florida founded and operated entirely by African Americans, which is now known as Metro Savings Bank. He was also the founder of the Washington Shores Association for Recreation, Inc. (W.S.A.R), a non-profit organization that offered similar programs to what the Smith Center offers today. Currently, the Frontline Outreach Center is located in what was the old W.S.A.R. facility.

This special feature will continue next week in honor of National Black History Month.

At the monthly Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council meeting, Hal Placet presented Mayor Buddy Dyer with an American Flag that was flown at the Baghdad Iraq US Embassy. He also presented Mayor Dyer with a plaque featuring sand samples from eight different world locations where US soldiers have fought battles.

Mayor Dyer spoke at the kick off of the United Arts annual campaign on Tuesday February 6 at the Orlando Chamber Trustees Community Luncheon.

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