Dear friends,

On Thursday, May 10, Commissioner Betty T. Wyman and I will unveil plans for the Orlando Business Development Center, District 2, a joint incubator project between the University of Central Florida and the City of Orlando that will promote the development of small businesses in our community. UCF operates Technology Incubators at the Central Florida Research Park, in Downtown Orlando and in Seminole County. The City and UCF also worked together recently to successfully recruit House of Moves, a California digital effects company.

The promotion of small business is as important to our City’s growth as the addition of larger corporations like the Burnham Institute. Besides providing essential services and helping to maintain economic diversity, they give local entrepreneurs an opportunity to follow their dreams and grow their businesses.

The City provides several other services to assist new and existing small businesses.

• The Business Assistance Program helps defray the cost of construction or renovation by providing matching funds for traffic and sewer impact fees, permit fees and right-of-way infrastructure improvements.
  
  
• The Business Assistance Team helps small businesses work through the permitting process by providing one point of contact.
  
  
• Our Neighborhood Commercial District Revitalization Program provides interest-free loans for commercial building façade improvements, which may include signs, landscaping and lighting.
  
  
• The Enterprise Zone and the Urban Job Tax Credit Program target certain areas of the City and provide tax credits for each job created as well as sales tax refunds for specific purchases.
  
  
• The new Minority Women Enterprise Business Assistance Program (MEBA) promotes the retention of existing minority-owned businesses located within blighted communities and the attraction of new minority-owned businesses to these areas. The current target area for the MEBA program is Parramore.
  
  
• We are also working to make sure that our local businesses are part of our community venues construction projects, so that local residents and businesses may benefit from this economic opportunity.
  
  

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.

Home Safety Surveys

The Orlando Police Crime Prevention Division provides free safety inspections for Orlando residents. The Crime Prevention Officers will inspect the home and make recommendations to reduce the chance of a burglary. The Orlando Police Department provides the following checklist for residents to check the security of their home.

• Do the outside lights light up all entrances to your home?
  
  
• Are your plants trimmed so a burglar cannot hide near windows and doors?
  
  
• Are garage doors kept closed and locked at all times?
  
  
• Are outside doors made of solid core construction, including the door leading from the garage to the house?
  
  
• Is there a peephole viewer (180 degrees) on the front door?
  
  
• Are sliding glass doors secured with secondary locks or pinned, and are screws in the track to prevent removal of the doors?
  
  
• Are exterior doors secured with a deadbolt lock (single or double cylinder) with a minimum one-inch throw?
  
  
• Are windows secured with backup keyed locks or pinned with a nail?
  
  
• Do you report suspicious persons or activity in the neighborhood to the police immediately?
  
  
• Are doors locked at all times?
  
  
• Are your valuables marked with your Florida driver's license number?
  
  
• Do you have a record of valuables complete with serial number, make and model?
  
  

If residents answer NO to one or more of the above precautions, or have a concern about other home safety issues, they should contact the Orlando Police Crime Prevention Division at 246-2461. Our Crime Prevention Officers will be happy to conduct a Home Security Survey of your residence at no cost.

Gun Bounty Program Gives Out More Rewards

We have had more than 240 tips called into Crimeline as part of the Illegal Gun Bounty program. A total of six rewards so far have been awarded for tips that have resulted in the recovery of guns used in homicides, robberies and drug deals. Citizens are encouraged to report someone with an illegal gun by calling Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 (TIPS). Information that leads to an arrest, a gun recovery and a weapons charge will result in a $1,000 cash reward.

On Saturday, April 28, Mayor Dyer participated in the 2nd Annual Neighborhood and Community Summit at City Hall. More than 250 neighborhood and community leaders attended a variety of workshops covering everything from crime prevention to how organizations can benefit from City grants to an update on community venues and how to recruit volunteers.

On Saturday afternoon, Mayor Dyer attended the RAFMAN Club (Retire, Air Force, Marines, Army, Navy) Annual Fish and Chicken Fry.

On Monday, April 30, Mayor Dyer attended the celebration of the 59th Israel Independence Day at Lake Eola Park. The event recognized the birth of the State of Israel.

On Wednesday, May 2, Mayor Dyer attended the Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony at the Orange County Courthouse. This ceremony honors the brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Orlando Hottest Market for Jobs

Business 2.0 Magazine's latest edition names Orlando the number one market with America's hottest jobs . By pulling in life sciences, digital media, and health-care companies, the magazine says that the City has diversified its job market and should create over 72,000 jobs in the next two years. High-wage white-collar jobs are also expected to increase by 15 percent.

Don’t Borrow Trouble

The City’s Senior Links Program and the Office of Human Relations recently held a “Don’t Borrow Trouble” workshop at the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center to educate seniors about the dangers of predatory lenders. The following tips are part of their suggestions.

1. Say NO to "easy money."
   
   
2. Shop around.
   
   
3. Understand the loan terms.
   
   
4. Find out about prepayment penalties. Make sure documents are correct.
   
   
5. Make sure documents are complete.
   
   
6. Ask about additional fees.
   
   
7. Understand the total package.
   
   
8. Work with credit counselors.
   
   
9. Protect home equity.
   
   
10. If you’re not sure, don't sign!

For more information about predatory lending, visit www.dontborrowtrouble.com.

Orlando 360

Host Annetta Wilson talks with Mayor Buddy Dyer about his State of the City Address. Watch an in-depth interview that highlights the pride, progress and partnerships that are making Orlando a world-class City. 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 at CityofOrlando.net/tv. Orlando 360 is another creative product by the Office of Communications.

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 Aquatics at 407-246-4281 for more information.

ITNOrlando Volunteer Recruitment

ITNOrlando is an organization providing seniors with transit alternatives so they may continue to live an independent life. The non-profit organization, created as part of a graduate project at the Muskie School of Public Service in Maine, is looking for volunteers to expand its services in Orlando. For information on how you can volunteer, please call 407-228-7761 or email info@itnorlando.org.

Hurricane Season is Coming Up

June 1 is the start of hurricane season. Preparedness of our community and citizens is vital and everyone has a responsibility when it comes to preparedness. The likelihood that you and your family will survive a house fire depends as much on having a working smoke detector and an exit plan, as well as on a well-trained fire department. The same is true for surviving a hurricane, tornado, and even severe weather. Residents must have the tools and plans in place to be prepared.

To be prepared, follow these simple steps

1. Get a kit of emergency supplies.
   
   
2. Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency.
   
   
3. Be informed about what might happen.
   
   
4. Get involved in preparing your community.
   
   

From June 1 – 12, sales tax will not be charged on many hurricane preparedness items, including flashlights, radios, batteries, gas or diesel fuel containers, non-electrical food storage coolers and storm shutters.

Involvement opportunities: City of Orlando Citizen Corps volunteer programs, such as Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), Citizens Fire Academy, Citizens Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch Program, Citizen Observer Program and American Red Cross of Central Florida.

Upcoming educational events:

• Hurricane Exposition for Learning, Preparation and Safety (HELPS) at the Orange County Convention Center on Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Orange County / Orlando Community Connections Workshop (Disaster Preparedness) at the Downtown History Center, Saturday, June 9, 2007, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
• Mission Possible ... A Community Prepared Event (Spanish) at the Amway Arena Saturday, June 16, 2007, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information please contact the Office of Emergency Management or visit www.cityoforlando.net/emergency

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