December 21, 2007 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

The holidays are always a special time of the year. I enjoyed starting off the festivities in early December at Holiday Lights Orlando, with the festive carolers and the lighting of both the Hanukkah Menorah and the Christmas tree in front of City Hall. As I drive each night from Downtown into our neighborhoods, it’s heartwarming to see all the holiday lights decorating homes and businesses, spreading holiday cheer throughout our community.

No matter what religion we celebrate, the holidays are a time for families and friends to come together. I hope you enjoy the holiday season and wish you the best in the New Year.
 

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 in their neighborhoods.

Meet the Chief

Join Mayor Dyer and City Commissioners in celebrating and welcoming Val Demings as the 36th Police Chief for the Orlando Police Department at one of the following open houses.

•	Thursday, January 10, 2008, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd.
•	Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Dr. J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Center, 101 N. Parramore Ave.
•	Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. College Park Neighborhood Center, 2393 Elizabeth Ave.
•	Thursday, January 17, 2008, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Wadeview Park Community Center, 2177 S. Summerlin Ave.
•	Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Colonialtown Neighborhood Center, 1517 Lake Highland Dr.
•	Thursday, January 24, 2008, 5:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m. Dover Shores Community Center, 1400 Gaston Foster Rd.

Holiday Party Tips

The Orlando Police Department has the following suggestions to help make your holiday parties and the drive home safe.

Hosting a Party

•	Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
•	Find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests.
•	Arrange for an official designated driver for your party who will not drink at all.

Attending a Party

•	Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages.
•	Eat high protein foods that will stay in your stomach longer and slow the absorption of alcohol into your system
•	Remember only time will eliminate the alcohol from your body.
•	Know your safe limit.
•	Never drink and drive.

Officer Profile: Justin Mount

Orlando Police Officer Justin Mount is a fresh face to the force. Officer Mount has been a member of the OPD family a little over a year and has already started making a positive impact on the City Beautiful. Previously, Officer Mount was an officer with the Ormond Beach Police Department for three years, where he was awarded Officer of the Quarter, a Medal of Valor and the Chief’s Award of Commendation after he apprehended a bank robber and recovered over $86,000. He joined the Orlando Police Department in April 2006 to be closer to his family in Lakeland.

This May, Officer Mount was the Officer of the Month for apprehending a stolen gun and the suspect who stole it and for stopping a thief from stealing copper wire from a Parramore business.

Officer Mount continues to be relentless in his dedication to protecting the citizens of Orlando and serving as a positive role model to area kids. Officer Mount patrols the Parramore Heritage neighborhood during the night shift. The shift, which starts at 6 p.m., allows him a little bit of time in the evenings to play basketball with neighborhood kids. He believes that everyone wins when young people have positive interactions with law enforcement officers.
 

Red Light Cameras Approved

On Monday, December 17, the Orlando City Council approved an ordinance to allow the use of cameras to ticket red light runners within the City limits. Red light running in Orlando causes frequent traffic accidents and exposes residents to personal injury and property damage.

The fine for the owner of a car caught running a red light by the cameras will be $125 for the first and second infraction, and $250 for each additional ticket. No points will be charged against a driver’s license and owners can appeal the ticket.
 

 

Orlando 360, an in-depth program that takes a 360 degree look at topics that impact your life here in the City of Orlando, focuses on the City’s Green Works Orlando initiative in its current episode.

The show features Mayor Dyer planting a community garden at Nap Ford Community School and working with City staff to replace traffic lights with energy efficient LEDS. Public Works Director Alan Oyler also discusses the City's sustainability efforts, which include water conservation and using waste to create energy.

You can watch Orlando 360 on Orange TV Channel 9 or on the City’s website at cityoforlando.net/tv.

City Purchases Fuel Efficient Cars and Clean Bio-Fuel

Under the Green Works Orlando initiative, the City has established five “pillars” that will serve as the operational foundation of the plan. As part of the transportation pillar, the City’s is replacing five of its current vehicles with four Ford F150s that can use either ethanol or gasoline and one hybrid Ford Escape that is powered by electricity and gasoline. This transition supports the goal of replacing the entire City fleet with fuel efficient or flex-fuel vehicles in the next five years.

The City has also extended a contract with On-Site Fuel to provide bio-diesel fuel for City vehicles.

For more information on Green Works Orlando, visit the City’s website at Cityoforlando.net/greenworks.

 

Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants

At the December 17 City Council meeting, council approved the 2008 Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants (MNMG) awards. The MNMG program awards grants to neighborhood organizations for physical improvements, neighborhood safety and cultural projects. Ten neighborhood organizations, who successfully met MNMG requirements and secured business or community partners, were recommended by the Selection Committee and approved by the Mayor and Council to receive grants.
 

Housing Counseling and Seminars

The City Council approved a partnership with Housing and Neighborhood Development Services of Central Florida (HANDS) to provide educational assistant to low-income first-time home buyers. HANDS will provide individual counseling and group seminars on how to prepare for homeownership. Seminar topics will include down payment and closing cost assistance, program guidelines and requirements and housing availability. By educating potential homeowners on the necessary steps to purchase a home and the resources available, the City hopes to increase the number of low-income home owners.
 

Mayor in the Community

 

On Saturday, December 15, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Dodge FHSAA Football Finals Class 6A Championship Games at the Florida Citrus Bowl, where Boone High School took on Miami Northwestern. On Friday night, the Mayor’s alma mater, the Osceola Kowboys, played against St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 5A finals.

On Tuesday, Mayor Dyer attended the Seniors First Holiday luncheon at the Englewood Neighborhood Center. On Wednesday, the Mayor joined Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum and the Orlando Magic for the Orlando Magic St. Nick Caravan at the Northwest Community Center.
 

Did You Know?

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