June 27, 2008 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

The anniversary of America’s independence is a day for appreciation and celebration. On the Fourth of July, we must take the time to show our gratitude for the thousands of military personnel overseas and here at home, protecting our nation and our independence. On this holiday, we also celebrate our families and friends, the opportunities afforded to Americans and the freedoms declared by our founding fathers.

For the past three decades, the City of Orlando has been honoring our country on July fourth by hosting Fireworks at the Fountain. Please join me for a day filled with fun, food and fanfare at beautiful Lake Eola Park. There will be patriotic music at the Walt Disney Amphitheater and classic rock on the WHTQ stage. Bring your kids to the Centra Care Children’s area and satisfy your taste buds with mouth-watering 4th of July cuisine. As the sun sets, make sure you get a great viewing spot for the most exciting fireworks display in Central Florida.

If you are unable to join us, you can still enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your own home. Fireworks at the Fountain will be broadcast live on WFTV Channel 9 beginning at 9 p.m.

For more information on Fireworks at the Fountain, visit our Website at cityoforlando.net. I hope to see you, your family and your friends at Fireworks at the Fountain.
 

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.

Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grants

The 2009 Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grant guidelines and application are now available. The Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grants provide annual funding of up to $5,000 for neighborhood improvements that improve the quality of life for citizens in the City of Orlando. Grant funds are matched dollar for dollar by the applying organization using a combination of cash, volunteer labor and/or in-kind donations of goods or services. Special consideration will be given for projects that support the City’s Green Works Orlando and Public Safety initiatives.

Application workshops will be offered for neighborhood organizations wishing to apply for a Mayor’s Neighborhood Matching Grant. Attendance at an application workshop is required by a minimum of two people who reside within the boundaries of the neighborhood organization. Workshops will review the guidelines, instructions and application. Please call the City of Orlando’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Affairs at 407-246-2169 to reserve a seat at one of the workshops.

The 2009 Mayor's Neighborhood Matching Grant Guidelines and Application booklet is available through the Office of Neighborhood & Community Affairs by calling 407-246-2169 or can be downloaded from the City's website at www.cityoforlando.net/grants.

Orlando Firefighters Do More Than Fight Fires

The mission of the Orlando Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Orlando through emergency response, education and prevention. Firehouses in your community provide a multitude of services you may not be aware of. Stop by any Orlando firehouse and have your blood pressure checked. Consistently monitoring your blood pressure provides early warning signs of more serious health problems and could prevent a stroke.

To learn more about OFD’s community outreach programs, call 407-246-3128. To locate a firehouse in your neighborhood, visit http://www.cityoforlando.net/fire/Firehouses.htm
 

Great American Cleanup Results

The national Great American Cleanup takes place from March 1 through May 31 annually. This year, more than 3 million volunteers across the nation got involved and campaigned for a cleaner, greener America. The Great American Cleanup encourages people to care for communities through volunteer participation.

On a local level, the City of Orlando’s Keep Orlando Beautiful program engaged Orlando neighborhoods in nine events within 14 different communities. The results are outstanding.

• 642 volunteers participated and gave more than 1,657 hours of their time.
• 11,140 pounds of litter and debris were removed from eight miles of streets, roadways and highways.
• 38 acres of green spaces and parks and 10 miles of river and lake shorelines were beautified.
• 2,135 pounds of aluminum and 185 tires were recycled.
• 29 trees and 520 flowers were planted.

Thank you to Keep Orlando Beautiful, Green Up Orlando and all the wonderful volunteers... you made the difference!
 

Events Center Webcam

Watch the progress of the construction of the new Events Center with the Events Center Webcam. Showing a bird’s eye view of the two blocks south of Church Street and west of I-4 which will become the home of the City’s new venue for sports, music and entertainment, this camera takes a picture every 15 minutes and saves the photos so viewers can watch the progress like a movie. The new webcam can be found  online.

Community Venues Construction Update
 

• The consent agenda included a resolution re-affirming the City’s support for the Central Florida Commuter Rail project. All of the other governments in Central Florida have done similar resolutions as a way to show local governments’ commitment to making commuter rail a reality. This is a continued example of the historic level of partnership and cooperation that has been brought about in Central Florida.
   
• A Business Assistance Grant was awarded to Apenberry's, Inc. which operates a home garden retail store, Apenberry's Gardens, located at 3443 Edgewater Drive. Since 1995, Apenberry’s has offered a wide variety of garden accessories, casual furniture, fountains, planters, statuary and decorative accents as well as specialty plants and topiaries. Services provided by Apenberry’s include fountain installation, specialty drip irrigation, installation of planters and window boxes and more.
  
  The City of Orlando’s Business Assistance Program (BAP) is a matching grant program that encourages small businesses to locate, expand or redevelop in the City of Orlando. The BAP assists with small-scale infrastructure projects, building permitting fees and impact fees. For more information on the Business Development programs available for small businesses, please call 407.246.2821 or visit www.cityoforlando.net/economic/business.

Mayor in the Community

On Monday, June 23, Mayor Dyer hosted the Mayor's City Academy Graduation ceremony for residents graduating from the 10-week program. The Mayor's City Academy is a program that offers citizens a unique look inside Orlando City government. During the program, participants had the opportunity to see our City family in action, through road trips, field demonstrations and department tours.

On Tuesday, June 24, Mayor Dyer chaired the meeting of the Military Affairs Advisory Committee. The mission of the MAAC is to preserve and grow the Modeling, Simulation and Training industry sector in the Metro Orlando region through communication, cooperation and partnership.
 

Did You Know?

Historic Preservation Board Photo Contest
 

Upcoming Events

Road Closures

City Hall
400 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407.246.2221
Fax: 407.246.2842
Email:
buddy.dyer@cityoforlando.net