August  31, 2007 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

Labor Day weekend has arrived. Seen by many as the end of summer, Labor Day is a celebration of America’s workers. This holiday salutes the people that make our companies and businesses run and our economy grow. Labor Day has its roots in the labor unions of the late 1800s. The first Labor Day is reported to have been on September 5, 1882 in New York City. The early celebrations included parades followed by picnics or festivals for workers and their families. Oregon was the first state to recognize the holiday in 1887. In 1894 it was made a national holiday, only 12 years after the first celebration.

Our country’s high standard of living and strong economic base is firmly connected to our workers. Here in Orlando we have committed to making sure our labor force continues to grow. We have supported educational initiatives such as pre-k education to foster a good start for our children. UCF’s School of Film and Digital Media gives students the skills to work in the new digital entertainment industry emerging in our City. We have recruited new companies with high wage jobs, including the Burnham Institute, the new Veterans Affairs Hospital and the House of Moves. And, our Community Venues projects include a local workforce training and job placement component.

The Labor Day holiday recognizes the contribution workers make to the prosperity of our country. This year, the City of Orlando was recognized again by the Orlando Sentinel as one of the Top 100 Companies for Working Families. I am very proud of our City employees who work hard to provide services to you, our residents and businesses, every day. I wish our City family and your family a safe and joyous Labor Day weekend.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor


 

Labor Day Holiday Notice

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

Public Safety Web page The City of Orlando’s Public Safety web page provides updates on City initiatives, educational tools and information on community based programs. From volunteering with the Orlando Police Department to helping out with a Neighborhood Watch group in your community, information is easily accessible. Learn more about the Graffiti Hotline, Illegal Gun Bounty Program and the Mayor’s Safe Orlando Task Force. Streaming video of council meetings, press conferences and the award-winning show Inside Orlando can also be viewed online.

2007-2008 Budget Public Hearings

Public hearings for the 2007-2008 City Budget will be held in the City Council Chambers on Monday, September 10 at 5:01 p.m. and Monday, September 17 at 5:01 p.m. The Budget-in-Brief is available online and outlines the City’s proposed budget.

Mayor in the Community

On Saturday, August 25, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum dedicated the Parramore Heritage Park. The new park is part of the Pathways for Parramore initiative.
Also on Saturday, Mayor Dyer joined the Mayor's Committee on Aging for the first annual Senior Follies. Emceed by Bill Shafer and Marc Middleton, guests enjoyed wonderful entertainment and refreshments.

On Thursday, August 30, Mayor Dyer attended the UCF Community Kickoff Luncheon, highlighting the University of Central Florida Knights football team.


 

Did You Know?

NLC Recognizes the Parramore Kidz Zone

On Friday, August 24, the National League of Cities visited Orlando to announce that the Parramore Kidz Zone, a Pathways for Parramore program, was selected as a national initiative for youth, education and families. This recognition benefits the program by providing direct access to national experts, knowledge sharing and professional development. Additionally, this will provide opportunities for supplementary national funding to further grow and sustain the Parramore Kidz Zone.
Parramore Kidz Zone employs creative outreach to engage a critical mass of Parramore’s children and link them to positive opportunities, including pre-kindergarten education, parenting education, healthcare, mentoring, tutoring, and constructive activities when school is out. For more information on the Parramore Kidz Zone, visit their web page.
City Employees Blow the Whistle on Asthma City employees spent hundreds of hours last year volunteering in the community – doing everything from tree plantings, to tutoring, to fundraising, to helping with non-profits and youth organizations. On September 15, City employees will join Mayor Buddy Dyer in the American Lung Association’s Asthma Walk at Blue Jacket Park. If you are interested in blowing the whistle on Asthma, visit www.orlandoasthmawalk.com and sign up today!   Orlando Arts Business Institute Looking to build a profitable arts business? The Arts Business Institute (ABI) is coming to the CityArts Factory September 7-9 to provide one-on-one mentoring, motivational and educational seminars and additional support for artists. Learn from renowned artists with business experience and management professionals about how to successfully develop your art business. Business Development Training and Workshop topics include: • Promoting • Merhandising • Finding Your Market • Developing a Product Line The CityArts Factory is located at 29 S. Orange Avenue.  For more information and registration details, visit  http://www.americancraft.com/ABI/floridaemail.html. You may also contact the City of Orlando’s Business Development Division at (407) 246-2821. Partial scholarships are available for City of Orlando residents. This program is sponsored by the City of Orlando and the Downtown Arts District. Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants For more than a decade, the Mayor’s Matching Grants Program has provided resources for neighborhood associations, schools and non-profit organizations to plan and implement projects that address neighborhood needs, improve education and build neighborhood pride. Application workshops will be offered for neighborhood organizations wishing to apply for a Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grant. Attendance at an application workshop is required. A minimum of two people who reside within the boundaries of the neighborhood organization must attend. Workshops will review the guidelines, instructions and application. There is no limit to the number of workshops attended by representatives of a neighborhood organization. Each workshop will cover the same information. Please call the City of Orlando’s Office of Neighborhood Community Affairs at 407-246-3787 to reserve a seat at one of the workshops listed below: • Jackson Community Center, Tuesday, September 11, 6 - 8 p.m. • Dover Shores Community Center, Tuesday, September 18, 6 - 8 p.m. • Orlando City Hall, Saturday, September 22, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. • Callahan Neighborhood Center, Monday, September 24, 6 - 8 p.m. For more information on the Mayor’s Neighborhood Grant Program, visit cityoforlando.net/grants.

Upcoming Events

Road Closure

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