|
| April 27, 2007- City News |
|
Dear friends,
Whether they call themselves seniors or older adults, whether they say they are going through their second childhood or maturing gracefully, Orlando has a significant population over the age of 65. Some still work, some are retired, some volunteer and many are living a very active lifestyle.
The City offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of our growing senior population. Both the Mayor William Beardall Senior Center and the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center offer a variety of social activities including classes, dances, dinners, and trips.
The City’s Senior Links program creates connections between elderly people in the community and their neighbors. This week, Senior Links and the Office of Human Relations put on a “Don’t Borrow Trouble” seminar at the L. Claudia Allen Center to educate seniors about predatory lending. And at this week’s Council meeting, we increased funding to support Seniors First’s SeniorTran service, which assists Downtown seniors with trips to banks, grocery stores and other services. INTOrlando also provides seniors transportation services so they can maintain their mobility and independence.
On May 9 and 10, the City is co-sponsoring the Senior Expo, an educational opportunity with programs on investment advice, travel opportunities, retirement living choices and health screenings. Taking place at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, this free event will include speakers, entertainment and prizes.
This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to get advice or information to help them make the most of their golden years.
As we build the future of our City, we want to make sure that we cultivate a sense of place for everyone. Just as grandparents play an important role in a family, so too do seniors play an important role in the life of our community.
Whether you are young or young at heart, have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
|
|
This section of City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.
Orlando 360°
 This new show, produced by the City’s Office of Communications, features in-depth conversations with City officials on important issues facing Orlando. The first episode focuses on the City’s Public Safety Initiative. Host Annetta Wilson talks with Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando Police Chief Michael McCoy on the City’s efforts to combat violent crime in Orlando and how citizens can become engaged and support this effort. Catch Orlando 360° on Orange TV, Bright House Networks Channel 9 Sundays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. or watch it online.
Citizen Observer Program
 The Citizen Observer Program is comprised of community volunteers who help police maintain liveable neighborhoods by reducing crime. The City of Orlando recognizes that the cornerstone of Community Oriented Policing is a strong partnership between its citizens and police.
Citizen Observer Program (C.O.P.) members serve as additional "eyes and ears" of the Orlando Police Department. The C.O.P. members perform crime watch duties and alert the police department of hazards and unlawful behavior. C.O.P. members have no law enforcement authority. This collective effort will help in the discovery and reporting of crime, as well as in the apprehension of violators in Orlando.
Through this cooperative effort between the police and the public, potential criminals are put on notice that citizens not only support their police department in fighting crime, but are actively working with police to do so. The Citizen Observer Program members are trained to observe and report suspected criminal activity, but never to actively confront a situation.
Requirements for membership - to be accepted into the program applicants must:
- Be at least 25 years of age.
- Be in good physical condition and of good moral character.
- Possess a valid Florida Driver’s license and not have an excessive driving violation history.
- Complete a volunteer application.
- Successfully pass a background and criminal history check.
- Successfully pass a driver physical including drug test.
- Successfully pass a psychological examination.
- Successfully pass a polygraph examination.
- Successfully pass an oral interview.
- Upon completion of training, volunteers donate at least 12 hours per month serving as additional "eyes and ears."
The City of Orlando welcomes inquiries and applications from citizens ready to make a difference. For more information, contact 407-246- 2461
|
|
On Tuesday, April 24, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended a meeting at the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando to welcome the AMACHI Founder, Reverend W. Wilson Goode, Sr., to Orlando. The AMACHI program provides mentoring to children of incarcerated parents.
 Also on Tuesday, Mayor Dyer participated in the Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. This international event, includes law enforcement officers from around the world who run to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics.
On Tuesday evening, Mayor Dyer attended the District 3 Neighborhood Leadership Forum with Commissioner Robert Stuart. The forum focused on the public safety efforts by the City and Orlando Police Department.
On Wednesday, April 25, Mayor Dyer visited the Don’t Borrow Trouble Workshop at the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center. The workshop is an educational campaign on predatory lending for Orlando’s senior citizens in partnership with the City of Orlando’s Office of Human Relations.
|
|
Lifeguard Openings
Do you know any students that are looking for summer jobs? The City of Orlando is currently hiring lifeguards for the upcoming season. Students must be at least 16 years of age and must have intermediate swimming ability. We are offering free training to these potential candidates. Students must complete one summer of employment to receive certifications for free. Certifications include Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED and Oxygen Administration. Optional Water Safety Instructor certification training is provided for a nominal fee.
Please contact the Aquatics office at 407-246-4281 for more information.
Disney and Lynx Keep Orlando’s Workforce Moving
On Friday, April 27, Walt Disney World Resort® presented a check for $220,000 to the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) to match federal funds for expanded public transportation options. Beginning April 29, 2007, LYNX will add extended night service helping move passengers along Links 300 – 304. These routes provide travel from area communities directly to Downtown Disney.
This relationship will help offer more Central Floridians the opportunity to work for the area’s biggest employer.
Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge
Join the Orlando Science Center through Thursday, May 3 as they present the 25 breakthrough inventions of the 2007 Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge, presented by The History Channel® and the National Inventors Hall of Fame®.
These independent inventors translated their passions into patented inventions – and you can too! Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed April 28 as “Invention Day” and to celebrate Orlando’s innovation, the Orlando Science Center is holding the first-ever Invention Day on Saturday April 28, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Museum will feature special invention classes, tours of the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge exhibit and inventions from some of Orlando’s own best and brightest inventors—local students. More information can be found at www.osc.org or by calling 407.514.2000.
Summer Camp Programs
 The City of Orlando’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department is …”where the fun starts!” and still has some openings in its summer camp activities this summer.
The Orlando After-School All-Stars’ Camp STRIVE provides innovative and fun programs for youth ages 11-14 at five City middle schools and has expanded its program to the Dr. J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Center and at Southport Community Park. All programs are closed on recognized holidays. Activity costs vary by program. Field trips and t-shirt costs are extra. There are also lower rates for students who are City residents and enrolled in Orange County Public Schools free and reduced lunch programs. Parents may register for Camp STRIVE at the location nearest to them.
For more information about the individual programs or the summer camp locations, contact the staff at the facility of your choice by calling 407-246-4300 or visit the Families, Parks and Recreation summer camp page.
|
|
Commuter Rail
At Monday morning’s workshop on April 23, Transportation Director Roger Neiswender presented an update on the Commuter Rail project. Commuter rail is an important first step in alleviating the traffic congestion and other transit problems across the Central Florida region. Utilizing Transit Oriented Development, this project creates new possibilities for in-fill housing and retail opportunities around the transit stations. In addition, the City’s Downtown Transportation Plan explores the expansion of the Downtown Transit Circulator to connect Commuter Rail stations with large employers and residential developments.
 This project is yet another example of the power of regional collaboration, not just with local, state and federal governments, but also with private partners, Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional. The City is working closely with the hospitals during their expansion process to incorporate the commuter rail stops into their plans. In May we expect to have the interlocal agreement before City Council, which will hopefully bring the commuter rail online in early 2010.
For more information on the Central Florida Rail Project, visit http://www.cfrail.com/.
Police substation
As part of the Public Safety Initiative Mayor Dyer announced last year, the City Council approved the lease for the new substation in the Southeast section of the City. As that area of our community continues to see tremendous growth, the new substation will enhance the strength and force of the City’s police, fire and public safety personnel to respond to the needs of our growing community.
Funding for SeniorTran
The City Council increased funding to support Seniors First’s SeniorTran service which assists Downtown seniors with trips to banks, grocery stores and other services.
AM Radio Station upgrade
The Office of Emergency Management is upgrading the City’s emergency AM radio station. This will increase the broadcast coverage area to reach all parts of the City. This is planned to be up and operational by this summer and ready for the high-risk hurricane months from August to November. The station, WQDC 1650 AM, currently broadcasts to a five mile area around Downtown Orlando and will allow the City to communicate important emergency messages to the entire City, including motorists and residents relying on battery-powered radios for information because of power outages.
|
|
|
|
Mayor's Message
