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October 5,
2007 - City News |
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Mayor's
Message |
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Dear Friend,
I wake up every day energized by the
opportunity, not just to serve as the Mayor of
Orlando, but to serve as your Mayor at this time
in Orlando’s history. I truly believe we are
headed toward a future as the next great
American City of this new century. And, our
Downtown is fueling the region’s future.
Together, we have come so far, so fast, in our
effort to realize our vision of a world-class
Downtown for everyone who lives, works, plays,
learns and raises a family in Central Florida.
Four years ago, we stood up and challenged the
status quo. We ignored the notion that Orlando
could never compete with the great cities of the
world. We dreamed big, we acted boldly and
today, I’m here to tell you, Orlando is the envy
of those cities.
Brick by brick, and block by block, we laid the
foundation for a Downtown that defines us and
binds us. But a city, like a home, is not just
about bricks and mortar; it’s about spirit, the
spirit of this community.
We diversified our economy and strengthened our
neighborhoods. We attracted businesses,
restaurants and residents like never before. We
are seeing the results of our hard work.
We have transformed our skyline. We’ve bolstered
our bottom line. And soon, we’ll have a commuter
rail line.
This is the state of our Downtown – surging
forward and accomplishing our goals by leaps and
bounds.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer
Mayor
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This section of
City News provides public safety updates on new and ongoing City
initiatives and opportunities for citizens to become engaged.
Commendation for
Courage
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Mayor Buddy Dyer presented
five Orlando firefighters with the first Commendation
for Courage award to recognize their lifesaving efforts
on September 1, 2007. Everyday Orlando firefighters are
challenged with difficult situations, but on this
occasion, split second decisions led to a dramatic
display of courage. |
At an apartment fire, Lieutenant Chris Spurlin,
Lieutenant Eddie Torres, Firefighter Robert Anctil, Lieutenant
Faron Horn and firefighter Corey Philman fought through thick
smoke to rescue a mom and her four sons. The five firefighters
were the first recipients of the Mayor’s Commendation for
Courage award, created to recognize Orlando residents who
bravely protect the lives of others.
Fire Prevention Month
Nearly 80 percent of fire deaths in the United
States result from fire in homes without working smoke alarms.
The Orlando Fire Department recommends the following fire
prevention tips for making your home a safer place for you and
your family:
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Working
smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire nearly
in half by providing an early warning. Orlando Fire
Department offers a free smoke alarm to any City
resident who does not have a working alarm. Contact
407-246-3128 to schedule installation of your free
alarm. |
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Only 25 percent of families
in the United States have developed and practiced a home
fire escape plan. In light of this, it is wise to know
two ways out of your home, designate a meeting place for
family members a safe distance away from the home in
case of a fire, and practice your escape plans monthly. |
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Three out of five child
fatalities from home fires are a result of children
playing with fire. Keep matches and lighters out of the
reach of children. Teach your children not to touch
lighters and matches and if they do see them, instruct
them to tell an adult. |
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Smoke alarm maintenance is a
simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.
Check your smoke alarm batteries every month, change
your batteries every six months, and replace your smoke
alarm every ten years. |
Work Where the Heroes Work
The Orlando Police Department is actively recruiting for
qualified candidates. Information on qualifications and
benefits, plus the application and a short recruitment
video is available online at the
police recruiting page . Thank you for your interest
in the Orlando Police Department where Courage, Pride
and Commitment is more than a motto, it is our way of
life.
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Workshop
Presentation
At this Monday’s Council Workshop, Mayor Dyer
presented his Green Works Orlando Plan to the
City Council. This plan has five pillars: energy
efficiencies and green buildings;
transportation; sustainable infrastructure and
conservation; green spaces; and advocacy and
education. The City’s effort will include
building all new municipal buildings to comply
with LEED standards, the leading standard for
energy efficient buildings. The City is also
committed to converting its fleet of vehicles to
alternative fuels, promoting alternative forms
of transit in Downtown and continuing the City’s
effort to replace its tree canopy. To view the
presentation or watch the workshop, visit
CityofOrlando.net.
The Green Works Orlando Plan is also featured in
a new section of CityofOrlando.net. Click on the
Green Works Orlando logo on the home page or the
Initiatives tab on the left to learn more. The
site includes presentation materials from
council workshops, events, community programs as
well as helpful tips on how residents can
participate.
Coastal
Lake Cleanup
Keep Orlando Beautiful will join communities
across the globe in the 22nd Annual
International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday,
October 27. Orlando’s event takes place from 9
a.m. to 11 a.m. at five area lakes.
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Lake Ivanhoe – 1236 N.
Orange Ave., Gaston Edwards Park |
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Lake Lorna Doone – Tampa
Ave. and Church St. (west side of lake) |
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Lake Lucerne – near 100 West
Lucerne Circle |
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Lake Underhill – 4355 Lake
Underhill Rd., Lake Underhill Park |
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Park Lake – 724 Highland
Ave. (at pier on the west side of the lake) |
Volunteers should meet at any one of the lake
locations and expect to participate from 9 a.m.
to 11 a.m. Every volunteer will receive a free
t-shirt from the City and Keep Orlando Beautiful
for helping. Breakfast will be served. For more
information and to confirm group participation,
please call Jody Goostree at 407-246-2752.
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At Monday’s Council
meeting, the City Council approved a satellite
office for the Economic Development Department’s
Permitting Services Division. To improve and
speed customer service in the fast-growing hub
on the Southeast side of the City, the City’s
Permitting Services Division plans to open a
satellite office south of the Orlando
International Airport, near Narcoossee Road,
where five employees would be relocated. This
office will serve the area that includes the
Orlando International Airport, Lake Nona, the
UCF Medical School and the Burnham Institute.
The City Council also approved two Business
Assistance Grants for small businesses locating
in Orlando. Cheer House, a dance and tumbling
school, will provide 22 new jobs and OneOncology
Inc, a pharmaceutical company, will create 27
new jobs. The Business Assistance Grants provide
matching funds for renovations and improvements
to buildings and landscaping.
The City Council also approved Minority
Enterprise Business Assistance Grants (MEBA) to
Nikki’s Place, a southern home style restaurant,
and to Nikki’s Boutique, a clothing store. The
MEBA grants will be used for equipment and
marketing, and are part of a program to assist
existing businesses in the Parramore Heritage
neighborhood.
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Mayor in the
Community |
On Monday, Mayor Dyer kicked-off Breast
Cancer Awareness Month from the steps of City
Hall to show support of family, friends and
colleagues who have battled cancer.
Mayor Dyer attended the Central Florida
Women’s Resource Center Summit Awards banquet on
Tuesday. The Summit Awards is held annually to
recognize women in Central Florida who
contribute to improving the lives of other
women.On
Wednesday, Mayor Dyer helped break ground
for the Burnham Institute for Medical Research
and the UCF College of Medicine at Lake Nona.
Mayor Dyer presented his annual State of
Downtown Address at the Church Street Ballroom
on Thursday. This event highlighted this year’s
Downtown milestones.
This Friday, Mayor Dyer launched the
“Stop the Violence Campaign” as part of the
Harbor House Anniversary celebration. The event
marked 30 years of providing service to victims
of domestic violence in the Orange County
community.
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Did You Know? |
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Mayor’s Faith Based and Community 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
nonprofit organizations and neighborhood
organizations wishing to apply for a Mayor’s
Faith Based and Community Matching Grant.
Attendance at an application workshop is
required. At least one individual from the
nonprofit organization and two individuals 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
interested organizations may attend. 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:
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College
Park Community Center - Saturday, October 6,
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
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Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center
- Wednesday, October 10, 6- 8 p.m. |
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Colonialtown Neighborhood Center -
Monday, October 15, 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. |
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John H. Jackson Community Center -
Wednesday, October 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. |
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Wadeview Community Center -
Thursday, November 1, 6 – 8 p.m. |
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Englewood Community Center -
Tuesday, November 6, 6 – 8p.m. |
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Orlando City Hall - Wednesday,
November 14, 11a.m.-1p.m. |
For
more information on the Mayor’s Neighborhood
Grant Program, visit
cityoforlando.net/grants.
CityofOrlando.net Has A New Look
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Next time you visit
CityofOrlando.net, you will notice a big change. The
City’s homepage has been revised from the orange and
blue drawing of Lake Eola to a brilliant photo of the
lake and fountain. The menus have been revised, based on
user feedback, to general categories for businesses,
residents, visitors and services. The biggest addition
is a search engine on the right side of the page, which
should make finding information even easier. Online
services, such as permits, parking tickets and auctions,
are featured with their own individual menu on the home
page for quick reference. The “Watch Orlando on TV”
button provides video on demand services of City Council
meetings and the City’s television shows, Orlando 360
and Inside Orlando. We hope this new design makes
finding the services and information you want easier. |
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Upcoming
Events |
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Road Closure |
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For information on
road closures please visit:
our site.
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For up-to-date
information on I-4 lane and ramp closure please
visit:
trans4mation.org
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For the latest
East-West Expressway updates please visit:
epass.oocea.com/constructionupdate
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City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email:
buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net |
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Florida has a very broad public records law.
As a result, any written communication created or received by City of
Orlando officials and employees will be made available to the public and
media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt. Under Florida law, email
addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address
released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic
mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.
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