Dear friends,

Today is the first day of hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced projections that 13 to 17 named storms may develop this year, with seven to 10 becoming hurricanes, and three to five becoming "major" category three or higher storms.

The reality is that no matter how many hurricanes are forecasted, it only takes one storm to cause devastation. Orlando residents should be reviewing their hurricane plans and their disaster kits, and what better time than during the current Hurricane Preparedness Tax-Free Holiday. Between now and June 12, items like batteries, flashlights, and radios are exempt from sales tax to help Florida residents prepare their disaster kits.

The City’s Emergency Management Office has worked throughout the year to ready the City for hurricane season. That has included reaching out to the community and meeting with several non-profit groups and foreign consulates to better coordinate the City’s response during an emergency. They are also recruiting volunteers for our Citizens Information Line. During an emergency, this phone bank provides information to residents and is a crucial part of the City’s emergency operations. Residents interested in volunteering should visit the Emergency Management website for more information.

In this issue, you will find additional information to help you and your family prepare for this year’s hurricane season. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for our community to raise awareness and be prepared for the 2007 hurricane season.

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.

Vacation Crime Tips

Summer is often a time of vacations, but it’s never time to take a vacation from crime prevention. The Orlando Police Department provides these tips for residents planning vacations over the summer.

• Don't publicize vacations ahead of time. Burglars watch for newspaper accounts.


• Stop deliveries of newspapers and mail. The telephone number to call at the Orlando Sentinel is 407-420-5353.


• An Authorization to Hold Mail card (PS8076) may be obtained from your mail delivery person or picked up at your nearest Post Office. Or have a friend pick up your mail while you are gone.


• Arrange to have the lawn mowed.


• Leave information where you can be contacted in an emergency with a trusted neighbor and ask them to keep an eye on your house.
• Give your house a lived-in appearance.


• Have a neighbor occasionally use your garbage can.


• Put automatic timers on several lights and a radio. Set them so they will turn on and off at random times in different rooms, especially the bathroom.


• Do not leave lights on 24 hours a day.


• Leave drapes in a normal position to maintain a lived-in appearance.
• Turn the bell on the telephone down to low.


• Have a neighbor park in your driveway or in front of your house.

Building a Disaster Kit for Hurricane Season

Your disaster kit should include enough supplies to last you and your family for a minimum of 3 days. Here are six basics you should stock for your home:

• Water


• Food


• First Aid Supplies


• Clothing and Bedding


• Tools and Emergency Supplies


• Special Items (Medication and Personal Items)

Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container

Possible Containers include:

• A large, covered trash container


• A camping backpack


• A duffle bag

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members and keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supply Kit in the trunk of your car.

For a more detailed list of items for your disaster supply kit, visit the City’s Emergency Management Office.

Sales Tax Holiday

To help prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, the City of Orlando encourages residents to take advantage of the upcoming tax-free days. From June 1 – 12, sales tax will not be charged on many hurricane preparedness items included on the list below.

Qualifying items selling for $10 or less:

• Reusable ice or items sold as artificial ice

Qualifying items selling for $20 or less:

• Any portable self-powered light source


• Battery-powered flashlights


• Battery-powered lanterns


• Gas-powered lanterns (including propane, kerosene, lamp oil, or similar fuel)


• Tiki type torches


• Candles

Qualifying items selling for $25 or less:

• Any gas or diesel fuel container (including LP gas containers and kerosene containers)

Qualifying items selling for $30 or less:

• Batteries, including rechargeable (listed sizes only)
  -AAA-cell
  -AA-cell
  -C-cell
  -D-cell
  -6-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
  -9-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
  
• Coolers (food-storage; non-electrical)


• Ice chests (food-storage; non-electrical)

Qualifying items selling for $40 or less:

• Any cell phone charger

Qualifying items selling for $50 or less:

• Tarpaulins (tarps)
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting


• Ground anchoring systems or kits


• Tie-down kits (items that are advertised or normally sold as a tie-down kit)


• Bungee cords


• Ratchet straps

Qualifying items selling for $60 or less:

• Any cell phone batteries

Qualifying items selling for $75 or less:

• Radios (self-powered or battery-powered)


• Two-way radios (self-powered or battery-powered)


• Weather band radios (self-powered or battery-powered)


• Any carbon monoxide detectors


• Any package consisting of two or more of the previously listed qualifying items.

Qualifying items selling for $200 or less:

• Storm shutter devices (defined as materials and products specifically manufactured, rated, and marketed for the purpose of preventing window damage from storms)

Qualifying items selling for $1,000 or less:

• Portable generators that will be used to provide light, communications, or to preserve perishable food in the event of a power outage

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

On May 29, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the 2007 Gay Days Kick-Off Party at the Orlando Science Center.

On Thursday, May 31, Mayor Dyer hosted Hurricane Media Day. This roundtable forum with media discussed what steps the City of Orlando has taken to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.

On Friday, June 1, Mayor Dyer attended the National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community at the Caribe Royale Orlando Hotel. This conference is a collaborative effort to address issues relating to the disproportionate number of African Americans who become involved in the criminal justice system.

Hydrogen Station Opened at Orlando International

Chevron recently opened a hydrogen station at the Orlando International Airport for a small fleet of shuttle buses. Hydrogen is a much cleaner fuel source, so OIA is testing how well it will work with their fleet. Besides providing a clean source of fuel, this experimental station produces hydrogen from natural gas. Making the fuel on location is a safer alternative to transporting hydrogen to fuel stations, so this project’s success could promote the future use of hydrogen. OIA’s shuttle buses will run on the experimental fuel.

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.

June is National Homeownership Month

Homeownership has long been the cornerstone of the American dream. It provides more than shelter for a family, but is also a symbol of prosperity. More Americans achieve homeownership each year with the help of innovative builders, improvements in the access to capital, and the numerous government and industry programs developed to make homeownership a reality.

Last year, homeownership in the U.S. reached a near record high of 68.6 percent. This figure distinguishes our nation as one of the best-housed countries in the world. In Orlando, our Housing Department has worked to provide more opportunities for people to purchase homes, including three families who will move into their new homes this month.

Each June during National Homeownership Month, we have the opportunity to reflect on how homeownership has enhanced our lives and contributed to the thriving communities we call home. For more information on the City’s Housing initiatives, contact our Housing Department at 407-246-2708.

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