ORANGE COUNTY INTERNET NEWS SERVICE

PRIVATELY  OWNED & OPERATED

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, USA 

TERMS OF WEBSITE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BILL SEGAL    Biography 

BILL SEGAL WEBSITE http://www.billsegal.com/

LINDA STEWART   Biography

LINDA STEWART WEBSITE http://www.lindastewartformayor.com/

MILDRED FERNANDEZ  Biography

MILDRED FERNANDEZ http://www.mildredformayor2010.com/ 

TIM ADAMS WEBSITE http://www.adamsformayororangecounty.com/

TERESA JACOBS WEBSITE http://www.teresaformayor.com

APOPKA ART AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

…click on

FESTIVAL

DEDICATION OF THE MARKS STREET SENIOR CENTER HARDSCAPE PROJECT

Commissioner Fernandez to Lead Celebration

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – District 3 Commissioner Mildred Fernandez will join the Orange County Parks and Recreation Division in the dedication of the Hardscape Project at the Marks Street Senior Recreation Center.  The Hardscape Project included upgrading pedestrian access and drainage issues at the site.  There will also be a re-dedication of the Tugboat Monument that commemorates the 1994 incident where 41 people fleeing Cuba drowned at sea. The event will take place Friday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m. 

Dedication Ceremony for the Marks Street Hardscape Project

AGENDA

10:00 a.m.                    Remarks

                                    Matt Suedmeyer, Manager

                                    Orange County Parks and Recreation Division

                                    Commissioner Mildred Fernandez

                                    District 3

                                                                        Mr. Osvaldo Savon

10:20 a.m.                    Hardscape Dedication and Monument Rededication

The Marks Street Senior Recreation Center is located at 99 E. Marks Street, Orlando, Fl  32803.

FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY CONTRIBUTES $4,000 TO REWARD FUND FOR INFORMATION

LEADING TO ARREST OF SUSPECT TARGETING ITS STUDENTS

REWARD NOW TOTALS $5,000

Full Sail University has added $4,000 to the $1,000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of a suspect in at least five armed robberies or attempted armed robberies to Full Sail University Students.  Orange County Sheriff’s Office Robbery Detectives are actively investigating a recent string of five armed robberies or attempted armed robberies on Full Sail students that occurred between 9:25 PM on February 1 and 12:47 AM February 2.  They believe one suspect (a black male  -  6’ 0” to 6’ 2”  -  black bandana or ski mask  -  thin build  -  armed with a handgun) may be responsible for the five robberies/attempted robberies.

There have been 11 reported robberies or robbery attempts to Full Sail students since December 3, 2010 however investigators do not a this time believe all of them were committed by the same suspect. Additional information regarding these cases will be provided at the briefing.  Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Central Florida CRIMELINE at 407.423.TIPS.

Composite Of A Possible Suspect

CRIMELINE at 407.423.TIPS

News from OC Animal Services

FREE RABIES VACCINES THIS SATURDAY!

Orlando, FL -- Need a FREE rabies vaccine for your pet?  Does your dog continue to get loose no matter what you do?  Do you have a pet that has unwanted puppies or kittens? 

Orange County Animal Services announces a Pet Amnesty Day this Saturday.  During this outreach and education event Orange County residents with dogs and cats over four months old can receive FREE rabies vaccines (five pets maximum per household please).  You can talk to our staff about pet related issues in your community such as the chaining restrictions in Orange County.  Bring your unwanted dogs or cats to this location at no cost to you.

Date: Saturday, February 13, 2010

Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: John Bridges Community Center

Address: 445 W 13th St. Apopka, FL 32703

Help us keep stray animals off the streets and your neighborhood safe!  For more information about this event, please call (407) 836-3111 or visit our website at www.ocnetpets.com

About Orange County Animal Services

Orange County Animal Services is one of Central Florida’s largest pet rescue and adoption centers.  Last year alone, Animal Services received close to 24,000 animals at its shelter. For 41 years, the agency’s mission has been to protect the citizens and animals of Orange County.  Its vision is to give abandoned and neglected pets a second chance to live long and healthy lives in safe, loving homes.  For more information please visit www.ocnetpets.com.

News from District 1

ADOPT A TREE

…click on:

TREE

News from OCPS

CHICKASAW ELEMENTARY HONORED AS A TITLE I DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

The State Board of Education has honored Chickasaw Elementary School as a Florida Title I Distinguished School for 2008-2009. Chickasaw is one of only 17 Title I schools to receive this distinction for the 2008-2009 school year. Statewide there are 1,391 Title I schools.

This distinction is earned by a school that shows significant progress in sustaining high levels of academic achievement and for closing the achievement gap for students in the No Child Left Behind subgroups.

Chickasaw Elementary was recognized for closing the achievement gap in reading and mathematics proficiency for Free and Reduced Price Lunch students and English Language Learner students.

 “Everyone at Chickasaw Elementary plays an integral part in educating our students on a daily basis. I am very proud of the efforts or our students, their parents and our faculty and staff for continuing to help students progress in many areas. We work well as a team and our achievement is the outcome of a high performing, dedicated team,” said Principal Margarita Vega.

News from OC Parks and Recreation

MOSS PARK

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Swimming at Orange County’s Moss Park has been suspended.  The Florida Department of Health today recommended the suspension of swimming at Moss Park due to high bacteria levels found in the water.

While the park will remain open, swimming will not be allowed. Tests will be conducted and the Health Department will determine when the bathing beach will reopen for swimming. 

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

Moss Park is located at 12901 Moss Park Road in Orlando.

(JUST IN FROM COMMISSIONER BRUMMER’S OFFICE)

(OC DISTRICT 2)

FLORIDA'S TAKE ON EPA WATER STANDARDS: 'BE AFRAID'

…click on:

http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2010/02/floridas-take-on-epa-water-standards-be-afraid.html?cid=6a00d83451b05569e201287764e92c970c

Teresa Jacobs

(file photo)

“TERESA JACOBS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE!”

…Teresa Jacobs, the latest entrant into the Orange County Mayor’s Race 2010, has launched her new website …click on:

http://www.teresaformayor.com

Fred Brummer

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2

FRED BRUMMER

…Commissioner Brummer discusses the “onerous impact” that the recent Federal Court Ruling will have on all Florida residents if the EPA’s Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria is allowed to stand…click on:

FRED BRUMMER

(video)

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(By Email from Commissioner Brummer’s Office)

The EPA has proposed a new rule regarding Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) for Florida’s waters. You can read the rule and supporting documentation at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/ .

The EPA is holding a public meeting for the new rule on Wednesday, February 17 from 1:00pm to 10:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal. In order to attend and make comments at this meeting you are encouraged to register at the link above.

The DEP is also holding a public meeting on the issue 8:30am-12:30pm Tuesday, February 23rd at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.

We are very concerned about these new water quality regulations.  The economic impacts from the proposed regulations will be devastating and far outweigh any environmental benefits.  EPA is rushing into rulemaking that is not scientifically based and will result in higher operating and cleanup costs that may not be effective in producing healthier, ecologically sound surface waters.

We have prepared a draft statement (below) you may wish to send to the EPA, the DEP and Governor Charlie Crist. Of course please change or write something different to most accurately reflect your opinion on the subject.

You may submit your comments to the EPA online here (click Submit A Comment next to the rule), to the DEP by emailing eric.shaw@dep.state.fl.us  and to Governor Crist by emailing charlie.crist@myflorida.com . When you send them, please copy us (fred.brummer@ocfl.net  and sarah.fowler@ocfl.net ) in order that we can submit a statement that includes the number of comments you have sent.

Sarah Fowler

Aide to Commissioner Fred Brummer

I am deeply concerned about new stringent water quality regulations being proposed by the EPA for Florida’s surface waters.  While water quality degradation of Florida’s surface waters from nutrient over enrichment remains a significant challenge, the economic impacts from the proposed regulations would be devastating and far outweigh any environmental benefits. 

The EPA is rushing into rulemaking that will create regulations that are not scientifically based and therefore result in higher operating and cleanup costs that may not be effective in producing healthier, ecologically sound surface waters.

I support a sensible solution that allows the DEP to continue developing, thorough a transparent public process, science-based standards that consider the natural variability and unique qualities of Florida’s waters.

OCINS’ NOTE:…time to act?…better believe it or else prepare yourself to live with the results!

News from OCPS

WINTER PARK TECH NAMED “COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR”

 Winter Park Tech has been selected by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce as the “Community Organization of the Year.”  Citing an unprecedented demand for affordable, high-quality career training programs, chamber officials were pleased to recognize the importance of Winter Park Tech’s contribution to the community. 

”We were thrilled that Winter Park Tech won because of their significant contribution to Winter Park and Central Florida,” said Patrick Chapin, President, Winter Park Chamber.  “During these tough economic times they serve an incredible need for individuals looking for training to prepare for new and emerging careers.”  Chapin also pointed to Winter Park Tech’s involvement in the community --above and beyond education -- as key reasons for the award.  “The school has found ways of adding value that make a difference in people’s lives.  For example, students and teachers partnered with the Internal Revenue Service to assist low income residents prepare their taxes; they donate thousands of hours in free services to organizations who are seeking graphic design and web services and they routinely hold blood drives and offer free health screenings.”              

Winter Park Tech serves more than 4,000 students each year and offers technical training programs around the career clusters of Business, Information Technology, Arts and Design and Health Sciences.  Currently, 22 career certificate programs are offered to adults and high school students with many programs featuring online learning opportunities. In addition, the school offers a variety of academic courses for adult high school credit, GED preparation, academic remediation, adult basic education and Adult English Literacy/ESOL.

“Now more than ever, local residents need to know that we are here for them and that we can provide high-quality, affordable educational experiences necessary to secure employment in the fiercely competitive job market,” said Diane Culpepper, Senior Director for Winter Park Tech.  “We’re grateful and pleased that the chamber decided to recognize our efforts.”

Winter Park Tech is located at 901 Webster Avenue in Winter Park and can be reached at 407.622.2906. The school also operates a campus location in East Orange County. The Winter Park Tech/Avalon Campus is located at 2201 South Crown Hill Boulevard.  For more information, visit us online at www.wpt.ocps.net .

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

…“You lost your house - but you still have to pay”(?)…with Orange County foreclosures at an all time high, we think that the following article might be timely…you don’t think the article is talking about Florida?…note the mention of Florida law towards the end of the article…click on:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/03/real_estate/foreclosure_deficiency_judgement/index.htm?hpt=Sbin

OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER

RESORT TAX COLLECTIONS

ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- County Comptroller Martha Haynie announced today that resort tax collections received by the County in January for the hotel collection month of December 2009 were $12,376,000. Resort taxes are charged on short-term rentals, mostly hotels and motels.

Comptroller Haynie noted that December 2009 collections were slightly higher (0.3%) than December 2008. “Year over year, December tends to be a stable month. Even a minor increase like this is a welcome sight,” Haynie stated.

News from Orange County

PRESCRIBED BURN

Orange County, Florida   The Environmental Protection Division will be conducting a prescribed burn within the month of February for Parcel Located Near the Corner of Schofield Road and Five Mile Road, Lake County, Florida.  Smoke may be noticeable for 4-5 hours during the mid-day time period. 

The day of the burn must meet state prescription requirements to reduce smoke impacts on the surrounding communities and roads. 

If you have health concerns regarding inhalation of smoke particulates and would like to be contacted on the day of the burn, please contact Mark Rizzo with the Orange County Environmental Protection Division at (407) 836-1536.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Ocoee, Florida –   The City of Ocoee will be celebrating, along with many others across the nation, Black History Month in February.  The City and the Human Relations Diversity Board will present its 5^th Annual Black History Essay Contest on Wednesday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m., City Hall, 150

North Lakeshore Drive. The event will be taped LIVE on Ocoee TV, Channel 200, Bright House Cable. Students from local elementary and middle schools will recite their winning essays at the event.

Throughout the month of February, residents can tune in to Ocoee TV to watch programs that will highlight significant events from African American history.  Below is a list of scheduled times that these programs will air.

Monday 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 1       Zora Festival of the Arts and Humanities

Feb. 8       Orisi Risi African Folklore

Feb . 15    Milestone of the Civil Rights Movement

Feb. 22     Return to Glory

Tuesday 12:00 p.m.

Feb. 2      Sam Rivers Live with the Rivbea Orchestra

Feb. 9      Colson Whitehead

Feb. 16    Jamaica Kincaid

Feb. 23    Colors of Courage

Thursday 12:00 p.m.

Feb. 4        20th Anniversary Cultural Dance Extravaganza “ Our Journey”

Feb. 11      Colors of Courage

Feb. 18      Sam Rivers Live with the Rivbea Orchestra

Feb. 25      Colson Whitehead

Friday 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 5        Milestones of the Civil Rights Movement

Feb. 12      Return to Glory

Feb. 19      Orisi Risi African Folklore

Feb. 26      Zora Festival of the Arts and Humanities

Sunday 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 7         Jamaica Kincaid

Feb. 14       20th Anniversary Cultural Dance Extravaganza “Our Journey”

Feb. 21       Colson Whitehead

Feb. 28       Sam Rivers Live with the Rivbea Orchestra

A Wall of Fame recognizing historical black figures will be showcased at City Hall in recognition of Black History Month.   The Wall of Fame will display biographical sketches of several trailblazers who influenced American culture.  Some of these  trailblazers include Langston Hughes, Harriet Tubman and Jesse Owens.

###

CO-ED ADULT KICKBALL LEAGUE

Ocoee, Florida –   The Ocoee Parks and Recreation Department’s Co-Ed Adult Kickball League begins on Wednesday, March 24, at the Jim Beech Field, 1820 A.D. Mims Road. Registration will be held February 15 through March 12 at the Jim Beech Recreation Center.

The cost of the league is $250 per team. This includes an 8-game season, trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and championship t-shirts.

(BY EMAIL)

Announcing.....

Bay Lakes Subdivision Wide Annual Park & Walk Community Garage Sale

Saturday, March 6th, 8am to 3pm

On our Granada Blvd "Greenspace"

A 20' space FREE for any

Bay Lakes Resident that

Registers and participates

You set up with your own tables, Ez-up,

umbrella, chairs, anything to make the day

 more enjoyable to you

20' space $10 for friends and groups

(Scouts, schools, Little League, Clubs etc)

Paid in Advance

Send check made out to BLHA.

Garage Sale, Att: Cathy

to: P.O. Box 690284,

Orlando, FL 32869

include name, address, phone & email to register

Start planning ahead now........

All are welcome. 

Arts & Crafts, New stuff,  old stuff,  anything goes. 

The only thing we will not allow is the

sale of food at individual spaces. 

There will be one food Vendor with items to purchase

The main DRAW of our

Annual Park & Walk Garage Sale

is justthat.......

the buyers parkonce and walk the Boulevard........ 

Plan to have FUN...........

meet new neighbors and make some $$$

Registration started on January 25th.

Bay Lake's Garage Sale Chairman is:

At the present time we do not have a Chairman

Anyone interested??

Please Email:  BayLakesHO@aol.com to register

Please give: Name, Address, Phone # & email: Address

when registering.

You must be registered to be covered under our

Garage Sale Permit

Please Register Now!

Karen O'Brien "Kids Wearhouse" will be picking up usable childrens clothes that are left after the sale.

Bill Segal

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5

BILL SEGAL

…Orange County Commissioner, District 5, and Candidate for Orange County Mayor,2010, Bill Segal talks with us about our Rail Issues, the coming Orange County Budget Issues and the environmental impact potential for Electric Automobiles…click on:

BILL SEGAL

(video)

Ron Blocker

ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT

RON BLOCKER

…had a one on one session today with Ron Blocker, the Superintendent of OCPS…we asked him to explain to us just how and why we got to the “agreement on the desegregation issue” at this time after lamenting our having to operate under the court order for so many years…we also asked him if he could help us to understand the “Race to the Top” a little clearer…click on:

RON BLOCKER

(video)

ORANGE COUNTY

COMMISSION ON AGING

NEWSLETTER

…click on:

COMMISSION ON AGING NEWSLETTER

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~Caregivers Seminars~

Counsel for Caregivers Seminar – Join us on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 12:10 to 12:50 at the Downtown Orlando Public Library, 3rd Floor, Albertson Room to learn more about caregiving resources and programs.  The seminars are FREE and lunch is provided for the first 50 people to RSVP to 407-836-7446 or officeonaging@ocfl.net . 

January – June Caregiver Flyer

News from OCPS

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO HOLD COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Community meetings throughout Orange County are planned for the months of February and early March. All school board members will hold meetings joined by selected staff.

The agenda will address the 2010-2011 budget, the elected chair position, education reform, the building program, academic achievement, the U.S. Census and other topics of interest. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Anyone is welcome to attend any meeting. Requests for translation assistance can be made by calling 407.317.3463 three days in advance of the scheduled meeting.

The meeting times and locations are as follows:

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NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the School Board of Orange County, Florida, will have a public meeting on February 9, 2010, 4:30 p.m., in Conference Room A at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida for an agenda review session at which time the board will review the agenda for the January 26, 2010 5:30 p.m. meeting and hear from special order speakers immediately following the agenda review.  This is a work session where no formal action will be taken.

Following the agenda review session, the School Board of Orange County, Florida, will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be for the purpose of considering a series of items which will be published in an agenda seven days prior to meeting.  The agenda may be obtained at the Educational Leadership Center between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Please be our guest at

Board of Directors Training 101

Community Connections Workshop

February 13, 2010 ~ 9:00 to 12 noon

At the Orange County Internal Operations Center 1

450 E. South Street, Orlando 32801

If your neighborhood association board

Is looking to better understand

Mandatory property owners associations,

Then this is a workshop you don’t want to miss!!!

If you are a new or seasoned board member of a mandatory property association, then this workshop is a must attend!  Being elected to your association’s board of directors doesn’t prepare you to serve on the board. Learn the basics to be an effective board member, from understanding your role to running an effective organization. Topics covered will include board orientation basics and fiduciary responsibilities.  Please submit your legal questions in advance to nservices@ocfl.net or (407) 836-5613 byFebruary 10, 2010.

The Community Connections Workshops

are complimentary, monthly workshops

held the second Saturday of the month

This is a partnership between:

Orange County Government - Neighborhood Services Division &

The City of Orlando - Office of

Communications & Neighborhood Relations

To register for this workshop: Board of Directors Training 101

call Orange County Neighborhood Services: (407) 836-0035 or register online at:

www.ocfl.net/CommunityConnections

Community Connections Workshops are FREE!

Parking is FREE in the surface lot behind

 Orange County Internal Operations Center 1!

Complimentary refreshments courtesy of the City of Orlando.

A chance to win great door prizes, too!!!

Bill Sublette

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN CANDIDATE(2010)

BILL SUBLETTE

…hey, at last we confess it…we’re stuck for words…anyone who observed Bill as he headed the Jail Oversight Committee (when we all were facing the threat of being “thrown in the clink”)…anyone who observed Bill as he chaired the Blue Ribbon Panel on Education (http://orangecountyfl.net/blueribbon/default.htm )…he displayed not only the width, height and depth of his educational background, but also the wisdom and “patience of Jobe”…he has demonstrated that he knows “who he is”, “where he is” and also “where he wants to take us”…that says it all…“the man has got a vision”…click on:

BILL SUBLETTE

(video)

(image by OC)

…for latest newsletter, click in the right margin of the following link:

MAYOR CROTTY

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

MAYOR DYER