March 14, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

This week we celebrated the first neighborhood commercial districts selected into the Orlando Main Street Program. The Orlando Main Street Program leverages resources and support to attract and retain residents and businesses. We realize that successful commercial districts lead to vibrant and strong neighborhoods.

The Main Street approach is a proven methodology used to revitalize traditional commercial districts. In fact, for every dollar a community uses to support its local Main Street program, it leverages an average of more than $40, making it one of the most successful economic development strategies in the country.

When you see a Main Street sign, it is a symbol of a distinct commercial district supported by the neighborhood. To find out how your neighborhood can apply, go to cityoforlando.net/economic.
 

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.

Oprah’s Big Give Inspires Donations to Support
City Crime Prevention Efforts

The new reality series Oprah’s Big Give recently awarded $10,000 dollars to WFTV Channel 9 and challenged the station to “give big” to this community. The challenge was to use the ten thousand dollars as seed money to attract a larger amount to put to good use in Central Florida. That $10,000 has now become $50,000 and is still growing.

In early February Eyewitness News’ Vanessa Welch reported on one of Mayor Dyer’s mentor programs through the Orlando Police Department. The vision of Chief Demings, this program targets 100 students attending Memorial Middle School and Jones High School in the Parramore community. The goal of this mentoring program is to help students stay out of trouble and stay on the right path to a successful life after high school graduation. Beginning in the fall of 2008, this program will raise awareness, encourage community support and generate funding to support an incentive-based mentor program that will provide structure, encourage success and identify positive role models who can make a difference in the lives of these young men and women.

Thanks to the community sponsors who grew the investment to five times the original amount: ABC Network, WFTV Channel 9, Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Magic, local Target stores and Collis Roofing. To date, the total commitment is $50,000 in cash and countless in-kind donations. This is a big give for the children of Parramore.
For more information on the mentoring program or to make a donation contact Bob St. Charles with WFTV Channel 9 at 407-822-5614 or bob.stcharles@wftv.com.

 

Join the City of Orlando and other Central Florida communities on March 15 to help clean the lakes and streets that ultimately drain into the St. Johns River. The City of Orlando will be holding lake shore clean-ups at Lake Ivanhoe and Lake Underhill and a road clean up near Lake Underhill. The March 15 event runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers can register by calling 407-246-2125 extension 17 or e-mailing Katie.Kulbaba@cityoforlando.net. The events will be held at the following locations:

Lake Ivanhoe
Gaston Edwards Park
1236 N. Orange Avenue

Lake Underhill & Adopt-A Highway Cleanup
4355 Lake Underhill, West of Conway Road

Colonialtown Square Park Garden Planting

The Scott’s Miracle-Gro Company, in partnership with Keep America Beautiful (KAB), selected Orlando as one of five cities nationwide to receive a grant to build or enhance a community green space. Keep Orlando Beautiful (KOB) and Scott's Miracle-Gro Company have selected to enhance the community green space that they developed together at Colonialtown Square Park in 2005. This area, named after the neighborhood in which it is located, currently provides a quiet place to sit and relax as well as a meeting place for neighbors.

Please join the City of Orlando, KOB, KAB and Scott’s Miracle-Gro Company as they kick off the first green space project on Saturday, March 22, 2008 from 8 a.m. – noon. Come out, bring your enthusiasm and get your hands dirty! KOB will provide the tools, gloves and refreshments. Volunteers will receive a choice of giveaways and there will be a kid's activity table. To volunteer or for more information contact Jody Goostree, Keep Orlando Beautiful Coordinator at 407-246-2752 or jody.goostree@cityoforlando.net.

 

Did You Know?

On March 1, the BLUEPRINT Workforce Development Program kicked-off with more than 800 people turning out for an informational meeting and BBQ. The Blueprint for Using Community Venues to Create a Sustainable Economic Impact intends to provide local residents with opportunities for employment and other job training services in partnership with Workforce Central Florida.

“The Blueprint” is a comprehensive approach to leveraging the Community Venues projects to create local jobs and local business growth. This process will also engage a diverse cross-section of the region to address the role economic development and social programs will play in the Community Venues.

If you’re interested in a construction job or working in one of the community venue projects, Workforce Central Florida is here to help. They can be contacted at
800-757-4598 or questions@wcfla.com.

Mayor’s City Academy

Don’t miss the chance to become more informed, engaged and involved in your City. The Mayor’s City Academy is a program that offers citizens a unique look inside Orlando City government. Participants will interact with City employees and take part in real life situations, giving them a greater understanding of City operations. They will tour Orlando City Hall and the Amway Arena, interact with the police and fire departments, learn about downtown development and public works, participate in activities with the Families, Parks and Recreation Department and learn more about housing and transportation initiatives.

Classes meet every Thursday from 5:30 – 8 p.m. during the 10-week program. Participants must be at least 18 years old. For more information or for an application, call 407-246-2169 or visit www.cityoforlando.net/cityacademy.
Spring application deadline is March 27, 2008. Classes will begin on April 10, 2008.

Free Educational Workshops on Foreclosure Prevention
and Predatory Lending

The City of Orlando will host a series of seminars designed to educate residents on the resources available to mitigate the impacts of foreclosures and predatory lending practices. A team of experts will speak on the issues of foreclosure proceedings, tax implications, predatory lending tactics and more.

Each household that attends one of the seminars will receive a one-on-one counseling session with a nationally-renowned expert Mrs. Cora Fulmore, at a later date, to discuss issues pertinent to that household. The four hour sessions will be held on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., throughout the City. For workshop dates and locations visit cityoforlando.net.
 

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