February 5, 2010 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

The City of Orlando is proud to celebrate Black History Month this February. On February 20, the City will be a part of the Community Black History Celebration at the Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center (1723 Bruton Boulevard) from 2 to 5 p.m.

Students and parents will have an opportunity to participate in a college fair and career expo that will allow them to interact with local African American professionals. To obtain more information about the Community Black History Celebration or to participate, visit uncf.org/Orlando/calendar.asp.

The City of Orlando will also be hosting Celebrate Black History in the City Hall rotunda on February 24 at 5:30 p.m. This celebration will feature samples of African American cuisine from some of Orlando's best restaurants, live jazz and cultural entertainment from local artists. On February 27 at 6:30 p.m., the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center (1840 Mable Butler Avenue) will hold a ceremony featuring special guest speakers and a performance by the Bethel M.B.C. Sanctuary Choir and Mt. Pleasant M.B.C. Male Chorus.

Throughout the month, the City’s Facebook page will highlight notable Orlando African Americans who have played important roles in City history, from Arthur “Pappas” Kennedy to our Police Chief, Val Demings. If you’re not already a “fan” of the City on Facebook, become one now.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

Earned Income Tax Credit

This year, hard-working Central Floridians may qualify for a tax refund of up to $5,657 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Get the tax refund you deserve – for free. Claim the EITC and file your taxes at one of more than 30 free tax preparation sites located throughout Central Florida. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars filing your taxes when you can file for free and receive 100 percent of your refund quickly and easily – usually in just 10 days or less. For additional information on the program, visit the Heart of Central Florida’s United Way.

Buy Local Orlando Highlight

Buy Local Orlando is under way and each week we want to make sure you know that you can get great deals, discounts and offers. There are more than 300 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign offering special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

Help the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund! Show your Buy Local Orlando card at Mochi Frozen Yogurt (145 S. Orange Avenue) now through February 14 and half the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross for Haiti earthquake relief. Call 407.425.9797 or visit mymochiyogurt.com for more information.

Take your family to the Orlando Repertory Theatre (1001 E. Princeton Street) where Buy Local Orlando consumers can get a free child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket (excludes Sonny’s family night). Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com for more information.

Achieve financial peace of mind in 2010 with the help of Consumer Credit Works Inc. (1512 W. Colonial Dr. Suite C). Upon enrollment, receive free financial budgeting and access to a 24-hour online personalized credit coach. Call 407.648.0044 for more information.

For information on how you can get your Buy Local Orlando card or how your business can be a part of this program, visit buylocalorlando.net.

NASCAR’s Speedweek may not start until Saturday, but on Tuesday, Mayor Buddy Dyer took the green flag as he test drove an electric vehicle in Downtown Orlando. At the Nissan LEAF demonstration, the City and County announced a regional partnership to promote the development of an electric vehicle charging network in Orlando. The City of Orlando, Orange County Government, Progress Energy and the Orlando Utility Commission - The Reliable One (OUC)- have formed a coalition known as Get Ready Central Florida. This group is working to prepare Central Florida for the early release of highway-ready, plug-in electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure to sustain them.

“This community partnership will propel Central Florida’s efforts to advance zero-emission mobility. By bringing together these organizations we can better coordinate policies and help streamline the deployment of an electric vehicle infrastructure,” said Mayor Dyer.

Mayor Dyer and Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty test drove the Nissan LEAF, the only electric vehicle currently planned to be mass marketed on a global scale. OUC plans to add 10 LEAF vehicles to their fleet in 2010 and already has two electric recharging stations at Reliable Plaza in Downtown Orlando.

The Nissan LEAF, a five-passenger all-electric car, will be available for private and fleet customers in December 2010.

The City Council approved agreements with two firms to build and install elements of Orlando’s new Downtown Orlando Wayfinding sign system. The Downtown Orlando Wayfinding Sign System is a series of new signs designed to efficiently guide motorists and pedestrians to key public facilities in the Downtown area. The signs are intended to replace the existing blue Downtown wayfinding signs. The static signs will be used along with electronic message boards. They are all part of the City’s larger intelligent transportation system.

The Council also approved a minor subdivision that will make way for the development of a 650,000 square-foot mixed-use office and commercial center near Kirkman and International Drive, being developed by Megastron Development. This investment in Orlando is a direct result of the City’s trade mission to Brazil in 2008 where Orlando officials had the opportunity to showcase our community.

The City Commission also approved two Community Development Block Grants to Seniors First, Inc. that support our Strengthen Orlando initiative. One of the grants will allow Seniors First to provide minor rehabilitation, weatherization and accessibility improvements to approximately 50 single-family homes owned by seniors, while the other grant provides funds for community-based services to assist seniors in their homes or the home of a caregiver.

The City Council approved an agreement with Horizon Engineering Group, Inc. for the final design of the Dinky Line Trail, a bicycle / pedestrian pathway that is a critical segment of the overall Orlando Urban Trail. The project covers almost one mile of trail, between Magnolia Avenue and Virginia Drive, generally following an alignment that uses the Dinky Line Rail Spur right-of-way, other public roadway rights-of-way and bicycle/pedestrian easements along Lake Highland Drive and Ferris Avenue. The project is federally funded with a grant for $135,000.

Mayor in the Community

Did You Know?

District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and the Carroll Adams Group unveiled the newly renovated Reeves Terrace Recreation Site on Wednesday, February 3. The Carroll Adams Group, an innovative global supplier of procurement and design services for the hospitality industry, made a generous donation toward the renovation. Reeves Terrace Recreation Site now features a new roof, wiring, fresh paint, seating, storage, decorations, as well as two flat panel televisions donated by Commissioner Sheehan. The Reeves Terrace Recreation Site is a small neighborhood center, which hosts many programs for children and families residing in the Reeves Terrace Housing Authority and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Reeves Terrace Recreation Site offers after school and summer programs for elementary and middle teen children.

Get Active Orlando Healthy Workplace Awards

Does your workplace motivate employees to develop a sustainable culture of health and well-being? Nominate your workplace for Get Active Orlando's Healthy Workplace Awards. The award is a dynamic partnership between Get Active Orlando, We Care Magazine & local businesses, structured to maximize opportunities for promoting health in the workplace. The award is open to all organizations regardless of business size or sector, and brings the benefit of acknowledgement for exceptional workplace practice. To read more about the contest and view an application, click here.

Mayor's City Academy

The City of Orlando is now accepting applications for the 2010 Mayor’s City Academy. This 10-week program offers citizens the opportunity to interact with City employees and take part in a backstage tour of City government by highlighting some of the services, activities and opportunities the City of Orlando has to offer. Participants will leave the program being more informed, engaged and ready to get involved in their City government!

The first class will be held on Thursday, March 18th. Applications are due Friday, February 26. For more information please visit CityofOrlando.net.

Historic Preservation Awards Call for Nominations

The City of Orlando Historic Preservation Board announces the Historic Preservation Awards program. This program is intended to foster greater public awareness of the importance of historic preservation in Orlando. The Historic Preservation Awards will recognize property owners who take an active role in preserving and protecting their historic structures and the integrity of the City’s historic districts through appropriate additions and renovations to existing historic structures and compatible new construction. Click here for more information.

Blues B-Q on February 20

The fourth annual Blues B-Q will be held at Orlando City Hall on Saturday, February 20. This free blues concert will feature music from 2 to 10 p.m. and includes headline act John Mayall, special guest Shemekia Copeland, The Legendary JC’s and the Kevin Maines Band. Barbeque will be available for purchase from Porkie’s Original BBQ, Four Rivers Smokehouse, Sonny’s Bar-B-Q, Mike’s BBQ and Bubbalou’s Bar-b-que. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on this fun event.

Upcoming Events

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