September 18, 2009 - City News

Mayor's Message

In front of City Hall, a black POW-MIA flag flies to honor American service men and women who have been taken prisoner or have gone missing during combat. This flag has flown in front of City Hall since March 31, 2003, when we raised it in recognition of Officer David Williams, an Orlando resident and Army helicopter pilot who was a prisoner in Iraq after his helicopter was shot down. Officer Williams was held prisoner for 20 days before he was released. We hosted a special welcome home ceremony for Williams at City Hall and presented him with the POW-MIA flag that flew during his captivity.

The ending to Officer William’s story is one you wish every family of a war prisoner or missing soldier would have. Unfortunately, it is not always the case. America has had many soldiers who have never returned home. To honor these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, my Veterans Advisory Council held a ceremony in the rotunda of City Hall this morning to observe POW-MIA Recognition Day. This touching ceremony recognized all branches of the military and was conducted by the University of Central Florida’s Air Force ROTC Detachment 159 cadets with music provided for the VFW Post 2093 Band.

Our annual POW-MIA Recognition Ceremony is one of many events coordinated by the Veterans Advisory Council to honor and remember our service personnel. I encourage you to visit cityoforlando.net to view today's event and learn more about upcoming Veterans events.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Orlando VA Stand Down

On September 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center will hold a Stand Down at the Downtown Orlando Recreation Center at 649 W. Livingston Street. The event is a collaborative community effort that reaches out to homeless veterans. Offered services will include medical care, assistance with VA benefits, haircuts, showers, food, clothing, shelter and housing information, IDs and more. For more information, contact Brian Wright at 321.397.6659.

Buy Local Orlando Highlights

Buy Local Orlando is under way and each week we want to make sure you know that you can get great deals, discounts and offers. There are more than 150 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign offering special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

• Visit the only privately-franchised RadioShack in Orange County (2001 South Orange Avenue) to enjoy promotional savings for consumers within the store’s six zip-code surrounding area. Buy Local Orlando consumer offers include free batteries with any purchase any time and discounts on all purchases every time with every visit. Call 407.423.1771 for full details or stop by RadioShack today!
   
• Looking to get something framed? Specialty Art Services, LLC (3424 Shader Road, Suite 10) offers Buy Local Orlando consumers 25% off retail framing. Call 407.523.0200 or visit specialtyartservices.com for more information.
   
• Buy Local Orlando consumers receive 25% off on range balls and receive "Twilight Rates" up to one hour early at Dubsdread Golf Course (549 W. Par Street). Also, receive $20 discount off the regular rate on the Dubsdread Golf Learning Center Adult Lesson program. Call 407.246.2551 or visit dubsdreadgolf.com for more information.

For more information on the Buy Local Orlando program, please visit buylocalorlando.net.

Florida Costal Cleanup

This year’s Florida Coastal Cleanup is on Saturday, September 19th from 9 to 11 a.m. This regional effort is part of the 23rd Annual International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy and supported locally by City of Orlando and Keep Orlando Beautiful. The City needs volunteers to clean the shorelines of five City of Orlando lakes. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt. Breakfast and supplies will be provided. Dress for a mess!
 

City of Orlando Cleanup Sites:

• Lake Ivanhoe: 1236 N. Orange Ave., Gaston Edwards Park, off Ivanhoe Boulevard
   
• Lake Underhill: 4355 Lake Underhill Rd., west of Conway Road
   
• Park Lake: 724 Highland Ave., north of Colonial Drive., meet at the pier on the west side of the lake
   
• Lake Adair: 935 Lake Adair Blvd.
   
• LaCostaUrban Wetlands: 5814 LaCosta Dr.

Amway Center Webcam

You don’t have to drive downtown to see the progress of the Amway Center. Watch the progress of the construction with the Amway Center Webcams. Showing a bird's eye view of the two blocks south of Church Street and west of I-4, which will become the home of the City's new venue for sports, music and entertainment, the cameras take a picture every 15 minutes and save the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The webcams can be found online.

Community Venues Construction Update

• The Orlando City Council held the first of two public hearings on the 2009-2010 budget and millage rate. The City has crafted a balanced budget without raising taxes during one of the most difficult economic climates the country has ever faced. It required cuts, including over 200 City positions, but with federal assistance, the City has been able to preserve police officer and firefighter positions to maintain the safety of our residents. The final public hearing is September 21 at 5:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. See additional information on the proposed budget.
   
• The Orlando City Council approved $1 million for the Church Street Streetscape project to acquire additional right-of-way and easements. This step forward is part of the $15.5 million project to enhance Church Street from Division Avenue west to the Citrus Bowl at Tampa Avenue by adding roadway parking and landscaping, installing new sidewalks and street lighting and moving utility lines underground.
   
• Stanley Cromartie was recently hired as the Prevention Coordinator for the Parramore Kidz Zone and brings 18 years of experience working with and mentoring at-risk youth. The Parramore Kid Zone initiative aims to reduce juvenile crime, teen pregnancy and high school drop-out rates in Orlando’s highest poverty and crime neighborhood. Since the program launched, juvenile arrests have declined by 47 percent. In the past year, Cromartie has assembled a number of programs helping keep youth off the streets, such as “Teenz Night Out” events, travelling to Washington D.C. to witness the presidential inauguration, college tours and connecting youth with employment opportunities.
   
• Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria was approved for matching grant assistance through the City of Orlando’s Business Assistance Program to increase its seating capacity from nine seats to 19 seats. Pom Pom’s will be adding new tables, chairs, lighting and personnel to accommodate the expansion. Located at 67 N. Bumby Avenue, the restaurant serves gourmet sandwiches, authentic side salads and loose-leaf teas and has been featured in Budget Travel magazine as one of the “25 Reasons to Love Orlando.”

Mayor in the Community

• On Tuesday, Mayor Buddy Dyer visited the Universal Orlando Resort to hear the details about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, anticipated to open in the spring of 2010. Inspired by J.K. Rowling's compelling stories and characters, the new addition to Universal's Islands of Adventure will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple attractions, shops and a signature eating establishment.
   
• On Thursday, Mayor Dyer participated in the grand opening of the Carver Park community. This new mixed-income development was built on the former Carver Court public housing site in the historic Parramore neighborhood. The Carver Park community consists of the Villas at Carver Park for elderly residents, the Landings at Carver Park featuring 56 multi-family units and the Neighborhood Network Center.

Did You Know?

Results Minneapolis may be a great initiative to keep Minneapolis residents informed about the city’s progress, but as far as a fantasy football team, the Results aren’t looking too good.

Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Orlando Scorchers toasted Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s team 90 to 85 in the first week of Yahoo Sports Mayoral Face-off. The competition pits twelve mayors against each other in a charity fantasy league. If Mayor Dyer wins the season, Orlando’s Parramore Kidz Zone and the Orlando After-School All-Stars will split the $15,000 prize.

This week, the Orlando Scorchers face Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Frank Funkhouser and his Funk’s Footballers for what could be a hot game for the Scorchers. To follow the action, visit http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f2/mayoral-faceoff.
 

Help Bring Back World Cup Soccer

Do you remember the excitement, great soccer matches and the multi-million dollar economic impact when we hosted World Cup in 1994? Well, we have a chance to be a part of it again!

The City of Orlando and Orange County, in partnership with the Central Florida Sports Commission, have made it through two rounds of bids, and Orlando is one of 27 sites still in contention to host games in 2018 and 2022. But we need your help now!

Please take a moment and go to gousabid.com and sign the petition. It’s towards the bottom of the home page. It will go a long way to show the support Orlando and Central Florida have to offer. Share this with friends, take it to work, post it on Facebook or do all you can to get as many Central Floridians to sign the petition in September.

Veterans Day Parade

The City of Orlando is now accepting applications for the 2009 Veterans Day Parade. The parade will be held at 10 a.m. on November 14 in Downtown Orlando. If you are interested in participating in this year’s Veterans Day Parade, please click here. Applications and fees are due on October 9.

Donate to Help Save Lake Eola Park Fountain

The Lake Eola Park Fountain is currently inoperable due to damage from a lightning strike. This historic fountain has been the central feature of Lake Eola Park and Downtown Orlando since its installation in 1957. The outpouring of concern for the state of the Lake Eola Park Fountain has been a testament to its significance as a local landmark. The City appreciates its residents’ desire to help in this situation and would like to address the fastest and most effective way people can make a difference.

People can make a tax-deductible donation specifically for the Lake Eola Park Fountain. The City’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department manages Orlando Community and Youth Trust, Inc. (OCYT), the 501(c)(3) non-profit fundraising arm of the organization. If you are interested in supporting the Lake Eola Park Fountain restoration project, go to the OCYT website to donate either using PayPal or check or contact Brenda March, the President of OCYT at Brenda.March@cityoforlando.net or 407.246.4295.

Watch a history of the Lake Eola Fountain.

Upcoming Events

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