ORANGE COUNTY INTERNET NEWS SERVICE

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MORE BAD NEWS

…click on:

MAY TAX COLLECTION

(pdf)

News from Orange County

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES UPDATE

…click on:

NSERVICES

(doc)

SWIMMING AT ORANGE COUNTY’S KELLY PARK ROCK SPRINGS WILL REOPEN

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Swimming at Orange County’s Kelly Park will resume tomorrow, July 4.  The Florida Department of Health had recommended the suspension of swimming in Rock Springs due to high bacteria levels found in the water. 

For more information, please call (407) 836-6243.

Kelly Park Rock Springs is located at 400 E. Kelly Park Road in Apopka.

News from OCPS

(photo by OCPS)

SUPERINTENDENT RONALD BLOCKER NAMED TO

ORLANDO MAGAZINE LIST OF “50 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN ORLANDO”

The July 2009 issue of Orlando Magazine lists Superintendent Ronald Blocker as the second most powerful person in Orlando. In 2008, Superintendent Blocker was ranked as the ninth most powerful person in Orlando by the same magazine.

An excerpt from a paragraph defining why Superintendent Blocker made the Orlando Magazine list reads, “Blocker does get results. Graduation rates and FCAT scores have improved under his reign, and the district achieved an “A” rating.” The magazine says all 50 people selected for the list “have made a difference and affect how we live.”

Orange County Public Schools has 114 schools rated “A” by the Florida Department of Education. Twelve high schools rank among the best in the nation according to the annual “Top of the Class” list published by Newsweek magazine.

HEAD START RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Orange County FL: The following is a Public Service Announcement concerning the Orange County Head Start program.  We are requesting your assistance to inform the local community of our recruitment effort.  We appreciate your free service to the community.

Will your child be ready?

Will your child be ready for kindergarten?  Why not give your child a Head Start?  Orange County Head Start is currently accepting applications at all centers for the 2009-2010 school year.  Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families that promotes school readiness by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development.  Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities that support children’s growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, creative arts, and physical skills.  Program services include nutritional meals, access to medical and dental health services as well as mental health and disabilities services.  Family development services include parent involvement, goal setting and case management.

To be eligible a child must be three years of age by September 1, 2009, reside in Orange County, and the family must meet income guidelines established by the Federal government.  Parents need to bring the following items to register their child: a copy of the child’s birth certificate, parent’s photo identification, proof of residency, the child’s current Medicaid card or health insurance card, Social Security cards for the whole family, and proof of household income from all sources for the past 12 months. 

Services are free to those who qualify.  For more information and to locate the center in your area to schedule an appointment please call the Head Start Administrative Office at 407-836-6590.

Don’t delay; give your child a Head Start today!

SEPTIC SYSTEMS SAGA CONTINUES

…courtesy of Commissioner Brummer’s Office, District 2…we have received the “study of septic systems” …what are we talking about?…thought you’d never ask…readers might remember our postings on Rep. Nelson’s bill to fund the study of septic systems before the requirement of replacing them with Performance Based Treatment Systems…fortunately Tallahassee listened and the study survived the legislative process…the following link will take you to the study…click on:

SEPTIC SYSTEM STUDY

(pdf)

News from OCFR

BE SAFE THIS INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND WHEN ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS

Orange County, Fl., July 4^th is the peak of the summer and many Orange County citizens will be outside enjoying all that Central Florida has to offer; this will include firing up the grill.

Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable. Each year, about 30 people are injured as a result of gas grill fires and explosions. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Orange County Firefighters offer these safety tips:

• Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage
• Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks
• Move gas hoses away from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease
• Check for gas leaks when you connect the hoses
• Never use a grill on a porch. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building.
• Never burn charcoal inside of garages or a closed environment, even if ventilation is provided.
• Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Additionally, when outside grilling remember lightning is the MOST UNDERRATED weather hazard. Lightning makes every single thunderstorm a potential killer, whether the storm produces one single bolt or ten thousand bolts. Remember the 30/30 rule. The 30/30 Rule states that everyone should seek shelter if the "Flash-To-Bang" delay, length of time in seconds between a lightning flash and its subsequent thunder, is 30 seconds or less and that everyone remain under cover until 30 minutes after the final clap of thunder.

Studies have shown most people, when struck by lightning, are struck not at the height of a thunderstorm, but before and after the storm has peaked. Many people are unaware of how far lightning can strike from its parent thunderstorm. DO NOT wait for the rain to start before seeking shelter.

Let us make SAFETY NUMBER ONE this 4^th of July weekend.

CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD(CRB)

…right reason returned to the BCC(Board of County Commissioners) as regards the CRB today…the question before the BCC was whether to appeal a Circuit Court(CC) ruling that the CRB does not have the right to issue subpoenas…the BCC voted to not pursue this matter beyond the current request for the CC to re-examine its position…unless the CC reverses itself, the CRB will be brought back to the BCC as a rewritten charter amendment or ordinance and will continue to function as a review board…our Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings summed up the CRB hearing the best in the following short video excerpt…click on:

SHERIFF JERRY DEMINGS

(video courtesy of OCTV)

COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE

~Amendments to the Orange County Code related to the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act / Wekiva Study Area~

Orange County Planning Division cordially invites you to attend community meetings concerning amendments to Chapter 38 of the Orange County Code to implement the requirements of the Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act. A map of the study area and important information about these community meetings can be found below and on the next page. For additional information, please contact us at (407) 836-5600 or go to the website at:

http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/DEPT/growth/planning/wekiva.htm

Staff of various Orange County Departments will be present to facilitate discussion and answer questions.

Meeting #1:

June 29 @ 6:30 PM

Apopka High School

555 Martin Street

Apopka, FL 32712-3598

Meeting #2:

July 6 @ 6:30 PM

West Orange High School

1625 Beulah Road

Winter Garden, FL 34787-4499

BY EMAIL:

The Wekiva code amendments include amendments to Chapters 15 (Environmental Control), 24 (Landscaping, Buffering and Open Space), 34 (Subdivision Regulations) and 38 (Zoning).  The changes we are bringing forward now are the changes to Chapter 38.  The changes to Chapter 38 include:

§        Setting the intent and purpose of the ordinance and establishing the boundaries of the Wekiva Study Area Overlay District;

§        Identifying what the ordinance will apply to (new rezonings, subdivisions, Development Plans and commercial plan permits);

§        Providing for certain exemptions for open space and impervious area for public schools (that a portion of the open space requirements can be satisfied by stormwater management, passive recreation, and landscaped areas, and sets impervious surface maximum at 65%);

§        Setting definitions (for clustering, conservation subdivision, density and low intensity agricultural use);

§        Setting basic design and development standards, including for open space, density, land uses and rezonings, and residential subdivision development standards for PDs (building height, lot width, setbacks, impervious coverage, buffering)

§        Setting waiver requirements and process

What we are doing is taking the Chapter 38 changes now, and the remaining changes at a later date. Taking these changes forward now allows us to set requirements for open space and the other items in this chapter for projects coming through DRC.  In the meantime, staff from various divisions are continuing to work on the changes to the other three chapters. 

The Chapter 38 changes are scheduled to go before the DAB on June 17 and July 1 and are scheduled for an LPA workshop in July.  The LPA public hearing will be held in August, and the BCC hearings are tentatively set for September 15 and 29.  We wanted to hold the community meetings before the second time the DAB discusses the changes and before the LPA work session, which is why we’re scheduling them earlier than originally anticipated.

Sorry for the delay in answering your email – if you have any further questions about this, please let me know.

ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS

REMOVE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRONIC WASTE

FROM YOUR HOME AND BRING IT TO THE

COMMUNITY COLLECTION EVENT

FOR PROPER DISPOSAL – FREE OF CHARGE!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Hunter’s Creek Town Hall

14101 Town Loop Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32837

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please DO NOT BRING: Biologically Active Materials, Radioactive Materials,

Explosives, Ammunition or Tires.

For more information, please call the

Orange County Utilities Solid Waste Hotline

407-836-6601

OCOEE CITY HALL CLOSED ON JULY 3 FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ocoee, Florida –City Hall will be closed to observe the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3, 2009.   It will reopen on Monday, July 6.

The holiday will not affect waste pick ups.  The city’s trash and recycling trucks will be on the roads as usual and there will be no delay in service during the holiday. 

For more information on the city’s solid waste services, visit http://www.ocoee.org  .                                              

News from OCFR

ORANGE COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS PROVIDE DROWNING SAFETY

TIPS FOR THE 4^TH OF JULY HOLIDAY

Orange County, Fl., Last week Orange County Firefighters were dispatched to 3 separate tragic drowning incidents. As Orange County Citizens and visitors celebrate the 4^th of July, Orange County Firefighter’s would like to remind parents and caregivers to take critical steps that will help protect children from drowning hazards in all types of pools.

Parents may think that if their child falls in the water they will hear lots of splashing and screaming and that they will be able to come to the rescue. Many times, children slip under the water silently. Even people near the pool report hearing nothing out of the ordinary.

To reduce the risk of drowning, Orange County Firefighters recommend:

·        Install a four-sided, isolation pool-fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around the pool. Layers of protection between your child and the pool, including barriers prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area or a power safety cover over the pool.

·        The fence should be at least 4 feet tall and completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard.

·        If a child is missing, check the pool or body of water first!

·        All parents should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

·        Have rescue equipment and a phone near the pool, it is important to always be prepared for an emergency.

·        Install a telephone near the pool. Know how to contact local emergency medical services. Post the emergency number, 911, in an easy-to-see place.

·    Keep small children away from buckets containing liquid: 5-gallon industrial containers are a particular danger. Be sure to empty buckets when household chores are done.

Drowning can occur in the few minutes it takes to answer the phone. About 77 percent of the victims had been missing for 5 minutes or less when they were found. Precious time is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool. Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool first.  

ORANGE COUNTY COUNCIL OF PTA'S

Just a friendly reminder from Orange County Council of PTA's that the Florida PTA 73rd Annual Leadership Conference will be held at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida from Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

This is an excellent opportunity to attend workshops to enhance your effectiveness and knowledge as a leader in your local unit.  There are workshops on a wide variety of subjects from which to choose. 

If you have children, they also offer Camp Innisbrook for children 4-12, conduction by resort staff.  Pre-registration is required and this is a personal expense. 

You will also have the opportunity to visit the Vendor Fair on Friday and Saturday and also the Healthy and Safe Kids Fair on Friday.  Both venues offer a wealth of information to take back to your local unit. 

It is also an opportunity to network with PTA/PTSA, County Council and Florida PTA board members from other areas of the state to gain awareness of the great programs and activities that are being implemented. 

Please visit the Florida PTA website at www.FloridaPTA.org  for additional information. 

Orange County Council of PTA's will be holding a reception on Friday evening and we invite all attendees to participate.  We will have refreshments and door prizes.  This is a great way to meet others in Orange County who are active in their PTA's. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Debra Booth

President

Orange County Council of PTA's

LEAVE YOUR PET INSIDE A HOT CAR, BE READY FOR A TICKET

~Orange County Animal Services issues Neglect Citations to Pet Owners~

Orlando, Fla.—June 29, 2009—With temperatures reaching the high 90’s, Orange County Animal Services is aggressively cracking down on pets left unattended in cars.  Pet owners can face a civil citation for neglect in the amount of $265.00 and additional criminal charges by law enforcement.  Animal Services warns that days where the temperature is in the high 70’s, even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car can reach over 120 degrees in just minutes.  Animals can quickly overheat resulting in heatstroke, leading to collapse, brain damage, and possible death.  

This year already, Animal Services has responded to several calls regarding dogs left inside unattended vehicles.  One of these calls involved two dogs left inside a parked vehicle at the Mall at Millenia.  By the time the Orlando Police Department arrived, one dog had collapsed and required immediate medical attention.  “Leaving a pet unattended while running an errand is a dangerous practice,” said Orange County Animal Services Manager, Katherine Lockett.  “We urge citizens to take action and contact law enforcement immediately if they see a pet left inside a car,” she said.

Animal Services has reached out to local theme parks and malls to make them aware of the dangers.  They also recommend every pet owner be familiar with the dangers of leaving a pet inside a hot car, and take precautions:

Dangers:

Ø      It takes only minutes for a pet left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Temperatures inside a car easily reach more than 160 degrees if parked in the Florida sun.

Ø      Even when the outside air temperature is in the 60s, temperatures inside some vehicles can reach dangerous temperatures on bright, sunny days. So many experts recommend not leaving pets in parked cars even for short periods if the temperature is in the 60s or higher.

Ø      Rolling down a window or parking in the shade does not guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb. And if the window is rolled down sufficiently, the pet can escape. Plus if a passer-by claims he or she was bitten through the car window, the pet owner may be liable.

Ø      Animals are not able to sweat like humans.  Dogs cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, animals can collapse, suffer brain damage and possibly die of heatstroke. Less than 15 minutes can be enough for an animal’s body temperature to climb from a normal 102.5 to deadly levels that will damage the nervous and cardiovascular systems, often leaving the animal comatose, dehydrated and at risk of permanent impairment or death.

Precautions:

Ø      Leave your dog at home during warm days.

Ø      Do not run errands with your pet.  If an unexpected stop occurs, do not leave your pet unattended in the car.  It is best to take your pet home or to a safe location before making any stops.

Ø      On trips with your pet, bring plenty of fresh drinking water and a bowl.

Ø      If you see signs of heat exhaustion take the dog into the shade, an air conditioned area, or to your veterinarian.  Signs of heatstroke include: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination. To lower body temperature,  gradually give the animal water to drink, place a cold towel or ice pack on the head, neck and chest, and/or immerse the dog in cool (not cold) water.

Orange County Code Sec 5-43 states it is against the law to leave a dog, cat, or other animal unattended in a parked vehicle with inadequate or no ventilation.  The owner or keeper can face a civil citation for neglect in the amount of $265.00 and additional criminal charges by law enforcement.  If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action:

Ø      Note the car make, model, color and tag number, then go to the nearest store and ask the managers to page the      vehicle owner.

Ø      Call the police, they will alert Animal Services. The police have the capability to enter the vehicle and rescue the pet.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING

JULY 2009

COMMISSION ON AGING NEWSLETTER

(pdf)

CALIF. MAY SWAP PRINT BOOKS FOR DIGITAL

~“The state thinks it can save money using online tools, but critics are wary of e-learning on the cheap”~

…click on:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/26/technology/california_elearning_textbooks.fortune/index.htm

News from OEC

…Please find attached the flyer for the upcoming hurricane and all hazards disaster planning workshops being held in the public libraries…click on:

JULY OEC COMMUNITY MEETINGS

(pdf)

COMMUNITY MEETING

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 @ 6:30 p.m.

Willow Street Community Center

6565 Willow Street, Zellwood, FL 32798

Project Information:

Project Name: Holly Creek Phase II LUP Amendment    

Applicant: Kirby Engineering, LLC 

Parcel ID: 20-20-27-0000-010; - 017 & -031

FLUM:     LD

Zoning:     PD

Acreage:   ~31.8 Acres

Location: Property is located south of Holly Street, west of N. Orange Blossom Trail

Request/ Proposed Use:

To request a substantial change to the approved LUP to increase the number of lots from 70 to 95; to decrease the minimum Lot Area from 7,500 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft.; to decrease the minimum Lot Width from 75’ to 50’; to decrease the rear yard setback from 25’ to 20’; to decrease the side yard setback from 7.5’ to 5’; and to remove a Class III Wetland. If you have questions regarding this community meeting, please call John Smogor of the Orange County Planning Division at (407) 836-5600 or John.Smogor@ocfl.net .

… a newsletter from City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer … click on:

MAYOR DYER

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