April 11, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

Please join me this Saturday, April 12, for the third annual Mayor’s Neighborhood & Community Summit –Together: planting seeds for our future. This summit will bring together neighborhood, arts & cultural, civic, community and faith-based leaders to gain insight on innovative City initiatives, discuss community building opportunities and create partnerships that contribute to our vibrant City.

The summit includes twelve different sessions about City programs and current topics. Participants can learn about city grants and other resources to accomplish community projects, the City’s new Main Street program and how non-profits have used the City’s Community Development Block Grants. Sessions also include a discussion with the City’s Police Chief Val Demings and a look at how Downtown Orlando’s growth will impact the entire City. The summit will end with luncheon speaker Mary Panks-Holmes, founder and president of Climate Culture™ Inc., a company focused on aligning environmental sustainability and social responsibility with innovation and profitability.

The conference takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orlando Marriott Downtown, 400 W. Livingston Street. If you have not already registered, the summit registration fee is only $10 and includes workshops, continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Free parking is available in the Amway Arena parking lot off of Livingston Street.

By attending the Mayor’s Neighborhood & Community Summit, you will experience first-hand how community partnerships are developed and how YOU can be a part of planting the seeds for our future. I look forward to seeing you at the summit.

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.

Orlando’s First Teen Police Academy

The Orlando Police Department is looking for teens who are interested in a behind the scenes look at law enforcement. The 10-week Teen Police Academy begins on April 23, 2008 and will cover diverse topics including uniform patrol, domestic violence, defensive tactics, drug enforcement and police communications. Students will attend field trips to the Police Department’s crime lab, coroner’s office and the Orange County Jail. At the conclusion of the Teen Police Academy, students will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive their diplomas from Police Chief Val Demings. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 to 18 and either live or attend school within Orlando’s city limits. For more information and registration forms, please contact Officer Tia Pruitt at 407-246-2095 or email her at Tia.Pruitt@cityoforlando.net.

What It Takes To Keep Neighborhoods Safe

This month, Orange County’s Community Connections Workshop will challenge neighborhood leaders and residents to think outside the box to make their neighborhoods safer. As part of the workshop, each neighborhood leader will create an action plan to implement in their neighborhood, using proven resources through Neighborhood Watch, Citizen Observer Program, gang prevention, youth programs and more. The informative workshop takes place Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 East Central Boulevard.
To register for this workshop, call Orange County Neighborhood Services at
(407) 836-0035 or register online at: www.ocfl.net/CommunityConnections.

Super Kids Celebration

On Thursday, April 10, the Orlando Police's Department Super Kid's Unit hosted a Super Celebration. Approximately 3,000 fifth grade students from 28 Orange County Schools celebrated a successful completion of the Police Department’s Kids Making Positive Choices program. The nine-week program covers topics such as peer pressure, anger management, conflict resolution and drug resistance. The students, after having to participate in these lessons, are required to write an essay on things that they have learned and the steps they plan to take to be a SUPER KID.
The ninth week is a big celebration including music and entertainment, reaffirming that each child is indeed a SUPER KID!

Parramore Neighborhood Watch Meetings

More than 60 residents participated in recent Neighborhood Watch meetings in Parramore, and 17 volunteered to become block captains. Parramore residents interested in joining Neighborhood Watch have two more opportunities to find out about this effective crime prevention program.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
John H. Jackson Community Center

Thursday, April 24, 2008
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dr. J.B. Callahan Community Center

For more information on Neighborhood Watch, contact Georgeanna Butler at
407-246-3628.

 

Join the City of Orlando’s Green Up program and Keep Orlando Beautiful to celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Grand Avenue Park, 700 Grand Street. Activities include planting trees in celebration of Florida Arbor Day, installing stormwater markers, cleaning up litter and recycling used tires, batteries, oil and cell phones.

To register, contact Jody Goostree at 407-246-2752 or jody.goostree@cityoforlando.net; or Jan Rahill at 407-246-3504 or jan.rahill@cityoforlando.net.
 

Mayor in the Community

On Wednesday, April 9, Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the Central Florida YMCA Celebration, highlighting the achievements of the YMCA over the past 10 years.

On Thursday, April 10, Mayor Dyer hosted the kickoff of the spring session of the Mayor’s City Academy. The 10-week, interactive program facilitated by Mayor Dyer, Police Chief Val Demings, Fire Chief Jim Reynolds and City Directors, will take residents on a tour of Orlando City Hall, visit police headquarters, see what life is like at one of our busiest fire stations and go backstage at the Amway Arena.

Did You Know?

Brie Turek Appointed Chief of Staff

On March 31, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced two staff changes that will enhance the administration and leadership of the City. Former Chief of Staff Joe Robinson has transitioned to the position of Special Assistant to the Mayor and Brie Turek has assumed the role of Chief of Staff.

Brie Turek was appointed as Chief of Staff to ensure the vision and goals for the City are in-line with the needs of citizens and community partners. As Chief of Staff, Brie will serve as strategic advisor to the Mayor and direct staff on implementation of major policy initiatives. “Brie has played a pivotal role in this administration and successfully managed strategic alliance initiatives for public safety, community venues and economic development,” said Mayor Dyer. “I am confident in Brie’s capable leadership and her ability to communicate policy matters and citywide information in the most effective manner.”

Turek was Deputy Chief of Staff prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff. She also served as Press Secretary and primary spokesperson for the Mayor and City in matters pertaining to public policy, special events, emergency response and citywide initiatives.

With more than 25 years of service to the City and Orlando Police Department, Joe Robinson will manage special projects and programs as assigned by the Mayor’s Office with a focus on homeland security and international relations.

MBE Reception for Community Venues Projects

Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum invite W/MBE businesses to a special reception for the Community Venues projects on April 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl Varsity Club, 1 Citrus Bowl Place.

Through the Blueprint, the City of Orlando is leveraging the Community Venues projects to make a significant and long-term, positive economic impact on minority and women-owned businesses. This is your opportunity to learn first-hand how you or your company can benefit from the largest public building project in Central Florida’s history.

Please RSVP for the Networking Reception and/or the Turner School of Construction Management by Tuesday, April 22, 2008 to 407-246-2085 or email: Judy.Dorman@cityoforlando.net


Free Educational Workshops on Foreclosure Prevention
and Predatory Lending

The City of Orlando is hosting 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, at a later date, to discuss issues pertinent to that household.

The four-hour sessions will be held on Saturdays throughout the City.

Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Odyssey Middle School
9290 Lee Vista Blvd.

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Northwest Community Center
3955 W.D. Judge Dr.

Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Rosemont Community Center
4872 Rose Bay Dr.

Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
J.R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Blvd.

Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m
Engelwood Neighborhood Center
6123 La Costa Dr.

For additional information, call 407-246-2708 or visit cityoforlando.net.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The April 15 tax deadline is fast approaching. Each year, millions in tax refunds are left unclaimed because Central Florida families who qualify do not take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit.

To qualify you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Must have a valid Social Security number.
• You must have earned income from employment or from self-employment.
• Your filing status cannot be married, filing separately.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien and filing a joint return.
• You cannot be a qualifying child of another person.
• You cannot file Form 2555 or 2555-EZ (related to foreign earned income).
• You need to have worked and have earned income less than
     • $37,783 ($39,783 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children
     • $33,241 ($35,241 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
     • $12,590 ($14,590 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

For the past three years, the City of Orlando, Orange County, the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation have partnered to raise awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this program by calling United Way’s 2-1-1 resource and referral helpline to find out if they are eligible and how they can apply for the credit.

 

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