July 30, 2010 - City News

Mayor's Message

Dear Friend,

On Tuesday, August 3, neighborhoods throughout the City of Orlando will join thousands of communities across the country to celebrate the 27th annual National Night Out. This annual event is a fun way for Neighborhood Watch groups to bring neighbors together as they work to improve crime and drug prevention awareness, generate participation in local anti-crime programs, increase neighborhood spirit and strengthen police-community partnerships.

Neighborhood Watch groups play a vital role in keeping our community safe. Over the last three years, the City has seen a dramatic reduction in crime due in part to an increase in Neighborhood Watch programs. Neighborhood residents are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. Not only does Neighborhood Watch allow our residents to help in the fight against crime, it is also an opportunity for our communities to bond through service.

I would like to congratulate this year’s community winners for the National Night Out “give crime a going away party” theme submissions. Awarded first place this year is the Island Club Apartments, followed by College Park in second place and Metro West in third place. Last year, the City of Orlando took third place in the nation for our outstanding participation in this event by hosting 79 parties throughout the City.

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) has also added two new events to the National Night Out celebrations this year. OPD will be hosting the National Night Out Crime Walk at Lake Eola Park on August 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. and the National Night Out 2010 Kick-off Party on August 2 at the SODO Target store (120 W. Grant Street) from 5 to 8 p.m. Details for each event can be found here.

OPD’s Community Involvement Division has numerous opportunities for you to get involved and make a difference including Neighborhood Watch and the Citizen Observer Program. For more information, visit OPD’s website at cityoforlando.net/police.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer
Mayor

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 500 merchant members participating in the Buy Local Orlando campaign with special offers and discounts exclusively to Buy Local Orlando consumers.

Star Scenic Supply Hosts Summer of Fun Paint Sale

Now through September 20 at Star Scenic Supply (2400 North Orange Blossom Trail), Buy Local Orlando consumers can take advantage of summer savings on all Pratt & Lambert Red Seal paint items including, flat and eggshell paints for $25, satin paints for $26 and semi-gloss paints for $27 per gallon. These paints are rated the number one interior paint for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

If you do not have time to visit the store, shop online at starscenic.net. Buy Local Orlando consumers who purchase online receive free delivery.

Star Scenic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 407.246.5118.

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.

AirTran Airways Continues Major Expansion in Orlando

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Governor Charlie Crist on Tuesday, July 27 to unveil the new AirTran Airways System Operations Control (SOC) Center at Orlando International Airport. The SOC will serve as the command center for the airline, monitoring and dispatching more than 700 daily flights around the country and throughout the Caribbean.

AirTran Airways Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Fornaro also announced plans to open a pilot base in Orlando this fall. The base will employ 100 pilots of both the Boeing 717 and 737, support personnel and flight operations managers, including a chief pilot. Orlando will join Atlanta and Milwaukee as homes to AirTran Airways pilot bases.

“It is important for our community to continue to invest in our large corporate headquarters which help to diversify our economy and create jobs during a challenging economic climate," said Mayor Dyer. "The City of Orlando and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority are extremely proud of AirTran Airways, Orlando’s hometown airline, for their role in shaping our community’s great future.”

Where Does LYMMO Need to go?

Do you use the free Lymmo circulator service that travels through Downtown? Join us to learn about the new Lymmo Expansion Study and share your ideas regarding future routes and services.

What: Lymmo Expansion Public Meeting

When: August 2, 2010, 6 to 8 p.m. (Open House)
6:30 p.m. (Presentation and Discussion)

Where: Orange County Regional History Center, 65 East. Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801

LYNX and the City of Orlando are partnering to evaluate the expansion of the LYMMO circulator system. The LYMMO Expansion Study will provide a fresh look at transit modes, alignment alternatives, ridership demand impacts and potential funding strategies associated with an expanded LYMMO service.

During the meeting, we will present information on existing conditions and seek your initial ideas regarding future LYMMO routes, services, stations and other features. For additional information, please contact Ginger Corless at 407.616.5500 or gcorless@hhidesign.com. View meeting flyer.

Bronze Statue Unveiling Honors First African American OPD Officers

On Saturday, July 31, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 6 Commissioner Samuel B. Ings and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) will unveil bronze statues honoring Officer Richard A. Jones and Officer Belvin Perry, Sr., the first African American officers hired by OPD in 1951.

During their careers, Officer Jones became the first African American to be promoted to the rank of sergeant and lieutenant while Officer Perry became the first plain clothes African American detective for OPD. Both officers retired in April 1976.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the roundabout intersection of Wooden Boulevard and Hankins Circle and will be followed by a reception at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist (1000 Bethune Drive).

Buddy Up

This summer Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Orlando Police Department have launched the “Buddy Up” campaign which promotes safety and awareness to the parents and children in our community.

This week’s safety tip is Use Your Voice. Children should know when to say “NO” and should be taught to yell or scream when they are in danger. For more “Buddy Up” safety tips and information visit CityofOrlando.net.

OFD Awarded SAFER Grant

On Monday, the City Council officially accepted a federal grant that will allow the City of Orlando to retain 46 firefighters whose positions would have been eliminated as part of budget cuts due to the effects of the recession. The Orlando Fire Department received an $8.3 million grant from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program to cover the firefighter’s salaries and benefits for a two year period. This will ensure that our residents and visitors continue to benefit from a level of protection that is second-to-none in America.

Interested in working at the Amway Center? Come to the Amway Center Part-time Job Fair Saturday, July 31 at the Amway Arena (600 W. Amelia Street) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Partners involved in staffing the Amway Center include the City of Orlando, Orlando Magic, Spherion, Levy Restaurants, Andy Frain Services and O, R & L will be in attendance. All interested candidates should bring copies of their resume.
Parking for the event will be available in Lot 1 off Livingston Street.

The City of Orlando Wastewater Division now offers free recycling of your used cooking oil. Pouring oil and grease down the drain is the leading cause of sewer backups in homes. After cooking oil has cooled, pour it into a shatter proof container and bring it to the Wastewater Division located at 5100 L.B. McLeod Road Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to be recycled. For more information call 407.246.2213.

Mayor in the Community

On Thursday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and a team of more than 200 volunteers for a work-along to build a new playground for children in the Windsor Cove Apartment community formerly known as The Palms. Volunteers from KaBOOM!, The Home Depot, Hopes and Dreams Team, Windsor Cove Tenant Association and Cambridge Management joined the City to complete the state-of-the-art, 2,500 square foot playground in just one day.

This new playground will provide more than 600 children in the Windsor Cove community with a safe and new place to play. For the past two years, the City of Orlando has been named one of the nation’s “Playful City USA” communities by KaBOOM! in honor of its innovative efforts in making play a priority for local children.

This project is made possible through a $65,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation and a $7,500 donation from the Hopes and Dreams Team.

Upcoming Events

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