May 2, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, I took the oath of office to begin a second full term as Mayor of Orlando. In the five years since I was first sworn in, we’ve witnessed a city transformed. We’ve experienced prosperity and tremendous growth. Through partnerships and collaboration, we’ve found ways to overcome seemingly daunting challenges.

As a community, it would be easy to sit back and congratulate ourselves on all we’ve accomplished in such a short time. But, we can’t. As the saying goes, I’ve got good news and bad news.

The bad news – a whole new set of challenges is on the horizon. Our national economy has slowed. It’s getting tougher to put gas in the tank and send our kids to college. Our roads are more crowded every day. The Central Florida population will double in the next quarter century affecting almost every facet of our lives.

The good news is – everything we need to overcome these obstacles is right here in our own Central Florida backyard.

In my oath of office remarks I cited a study from the Brookings Institution that laid out what it’s going to take to turn our economy around and ensure a better tomorrow for us, our children and grandchildren: knowledge jobs, the creation of bio-medical and research centers, digital media and technology companies that are close to each other, a vibrant downtown, a top-flight university and a thriving airport. The study’s thesis is that the solutions to our ills lie not in Washington, but rather in the untapped power of our cities.

Sounds a lot like the Orlando we’re building, doesn’t it?

That’s the point. If we continue to stay on course we will be the engine that will drive our prosperity.

If our community continues to work together to keep our neighborhoods safe, fights to expand opportunity to all segments of our diverse population and places a priority on innovation and the “knowledge jobs” that will drive our 21st century economy, we can become a model for America. If we at City Hall commit to aggressively exploring every way to achieve more efficient government, we can continue to set an example of how cities can best serve their citizens.

Orlando: success is not a destination, it’s a direction.

We have entered into an era of unprecedented cooperation and collaboration. Let’s take advantage of all we’ve accomplished and keep moving forward toward a better future together.
 

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.

Do You Have What It Takes?

The Orlando Police Department recruiting section will be holding an open house for new law enforcement recruits.

Thursday, May 15, 2008
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Orlando Police Headquarters
100 S. Hughey Ave.
Orlando, Fl 32801
First floor, inside the auditorium

Meet the Orlando Police Department’s recruiting staff who will provide an overview of the hiring process and answer questions on how to begin an exciting law enforcement career. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the Orlando Police Department and all that it has to offer!

To reserve your seat, or for more information, please call the Orlando Police Department recruiting section at 407-246-2459.

 

Green Up Day at Lancaster Park

The City of Orlando, Green-up Orlando and Keep Orlando Beautiful in partnership with Lancaster Park Beautification will host a green up project in the Lancaster Park neighborhood!  Please join us on Saturday May 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 1200 block of Lancaster Drive (big oak tree on the lake).

Volunteers are needed to help plant greenery in public spaces, scatter wood chips under trees, install benches and pick-up lakeshore debris.  The City of Orlando will provide plants, wood chips, bags and other necessary tools.  For more information call Danella Schuler at 407-898-2297 or Roger Dressen at 407-898-2295.
 

Mayor in the Community

Did You Know?

Blue and White Ignite

Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando Magic celebrated as the Orlando Magic advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals by “igniting” the last building standing on the site of the new Events Center. Friday's celebration took place on the Events Center site at the corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.

Hedo Turkoglu Makes Donation to PKZ

After being named the 2007-08 NBA Most Improved Player and being presented a brand new Kia SUV, Hedo Turkoglu handed over the keys to the Parramore Kidz Zone. Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Parramore Kidz Zone is grass roots program that levels the playing field for Parramore’s children and equips them with the tools to become successful, healthy, well-educated adults. The Orlando Magic made a previous $250,000 pledge to the PKZ.


I-Drive 5K Run Charity Race to Kickoff the 25th Annual National Tourism Week

The sixth Annual I-Drive 5K Run charity race will take place Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 a.m. to kick off the 25th Annual National Tourism Week (May 10-18). The I-Drive 5K Run has grown to 1,000 participants since 2002 and has become one of Orlando's tourism industry's great traditions. Hosted and organized by Pointe Orlando, the International Drive Improvement District and Track Shack, this 3.1 mile race starts and ends at Pointe Orlando. For information call Pointe Orlando at 407-248-2838 or visit http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com.

Burnham Research Briefing – Community Forum

The Burnham Institute for Medical Research is a key component of the Medical City that is rapidly developing in Lake Nona. Come discover the cutting edge research being conducted in the fight against chronic diseases with Dr. Robert Liddington, Director of the Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center. This is a free event that is open to the public will be held at the Orange County Agriculture Center Auditorium, 6021 South Conway Road, on June 4 at 6 p.m.

For additional information visit www.burnham.org.

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, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., throughout the City.

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.


 

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