January 18, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

On Monday, January 21, the City of Orlando will observe the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. This special holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. While he could have chosen to live a simple and safe life as a preacher, he chose instead to stand up for the ideals of equality. Instead of preaching just to his own parish, he spoke to the heart of the nation.

On this holiday, we also commemorate the timeless values Dr. King taught us through his example -- the values of courage, compassion and service that so radiantly defined his character and empowered his leadership. These are values we must remember and instill in our children.

To commemorate Dr. King’s legacy, the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission has several special events planned, including a parade on Saturday, January 19 at 10 a.m. in Downtown Orlando and a Candlelight Vigil and March on Sunday, January 20, starting at Orlando City Hall at 6 p.m. and ending at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando.

I encourage everyone to take part in the activities honoring the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday this week. A complete listing of events being sponsored by the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission is included in the events section of this newsletter and also can be found on www.cityoforlando.net.
 

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.

Gangs and Violent Crime Prevention

Through a federal grant from the Department of Labor, in partnership with Orange County Public Schools, the City of Orlando will be adding two positions whose sole focus will be reducing youth involvement in gangs and violent crime.

Law enforcement is just one part of the equation to keep our community safe. The Safe Orlando Task Force also recommended prevention as a way to end the cycles that breed the next generation of criminals. These two new positions will extend education and opportunity to some of the most vulnerable youth in our community in an effort to give them an alternative to crime.
 

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 the last of six open houses.   • Thursday, January 24, 2008, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Dover Shores Community Center, 1400 Gaston Foster Rd.

Residents are encouraged to attend and receive neighborhood safety information.
 

Cell Phones for Seniors

VOICE, the Volunteer Organization of Involved City of Orlando Employees, has partnered with CBS radio to collect old cell phones, even broken ones, during January. The cell phones will be reconditioned for 911 service and distributed by the City of Orlando’s Senior Links program to seniors in our community who are needy, homebound or isolated.

Drop-off locations in January include:

- City Hall rotunda

- City Hall/CNL skywalk on 2nd floor from 7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. (January 14-18 only)

- Central Parking Garage, 53 W. Central Blvd.

- Fleet/Facilities’ Service Writer’s Office, 1010 Westmoreland Ave.

- Orlando Police Department Headquarters Supply Dept., Entrance on Bryan Ave.

- Families, Parks and Recreation Primrose Building, 595 N Primrose Dr.

- Streets and Stormwater Building, 1010 S. Woods Ave.

- Amway Arena, 600 W. Amelia St.

- Wasterwater, 5100 L.B. McLeon Rd.

- All City of Orlando Fire Stations

- Select Metro PCS locations

 

On Tuesday, January 29, the City of Orlando will hold elections for the positions of Mayor and Commissioners for District 2 and District 6. Early voting will continue through January 27 at numerous library locations including the Downtown Orange County Library at 101 E. Central Boulevard and the Supervisor of Elections Office at 119 W. Kaley Street. Early votes may be cast from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.  See a complete list of locations for early voting or find out your precinct’s polling place.  For more information, contact the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office at (407) 836-2070.

City Contracts Support Green Initiative

At Monday’s City Council meeting, the Council voted on an amendment to the City’s fuel contract to allow the purchase of bio-diesel to power City vehicles. This alternative fuel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as vegetable oils.

The City Council also approved a contract for 86 police vehicles that will be flex-fuel vehicles operating off of a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. This purchase supports the Green Works Orlando goal of replacing the entire City fleet with fuel efficient or flex-fuel vehicles in the next five years.

In addition, the City will be extending its contract with Florida Cleaning Systems, which provides cleaning services for the Orlando Police Department Headquarters, various neighborhood police offices and other City facilities. Florida Cleaning Systems has initiated steps toward Green Seal Awareness by utilizing Green Seal certified equipment and supplies and providing an extensive training program that their employees are required to complete.

City Employees Receive LEED Accreditation

Through the Energy Efficiencies and Green Buildings pillar of the City’s Green Works Orlando program, six members of the City’s Green Team have received the distinguished LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Professional Accreditation through the U.S. Green Building Council program. This accreditation represents the knowledge, application and practice of the LEED Rating System, a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
 

Mayor in the Community

 

On Saturday, January 12, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Mayor’s Matching Grants celebration. The Mayor's Matching Grants program provides resources for schools, not-for-profit organizations and neighborhood organizations to plan and implement youth anti-violence and crime prevention programs, educational and academic programs and neighborhood improvement and beautification projects to benefit City of Orlando residents and youth. View more information on the Mayor’s Matching Grants program online.

On Friday, January 18, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Alpha Phi Alpha commemorative luncheon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Did You Know?

Upcoming Events

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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