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

News from OCFR

ORANGE COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS URGE CITIZENS TO

CHANGE YOUR CLOCK

CHANGE YOUR BATTERY

Orange County, Fl., Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® is a national home fire safety program sponsored by Energizer® Max® brand Batteries and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, with more than 5,800 fire departments participating nationwide. This program urges Americans to change smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks back to daylight savings time, which occurs this Sunday, March 14, 2010.

This week select Orange County Fire Stations will be displaying “Change Your Clock Change Your Battery®” banners to help citizens remember to change smoke detector batteries when changing their clocks to daylight savings time. 

Orange County Firefighters would like to remind our citizens that although smoke alarms are present in 95 percent of American homes, 20 percent do not work due to worn or missing batteries, which means nearly 19 million homes are at needless risk.  The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping.  A working smoke alarm can often provide the critical extra seconds people need to get out safely. 

If Orange County Citizens do not have a working smoke detector they can obtain one at their neighborhood fire station or by calling the Orange County Fire Rescue Department’s Life Safety Education Bureau at 407-836-9081.

News from OCPS

YOUTH ART MONTH RECOGNIZED IN A STUDENT EXHIBIT AT

THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CENTER

by Shari Bobinski

The 2010 Orange County Visual Art teachers are pleased to announce the annual Youth Art Month student art exhibit in the lobby of the Educational Leadership Center.  The national theme is “Art Shapes the World.” The state theme is “Everything Old is New Again.”  The two themes helped teachers decide what artwork to display. Many teachers worked with recyclable materials, finding new ways to use them. Brookshire Elementary School created a plastic replica of a Dale Chihuly sculpture using plastic soda bottles instead of tossing them away. The public can view the artwork in the lobby of the Educational Leadership Center until March 31, 2010 during business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.          

Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs.

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WINDY RIDGE WINS FIRST PLACE IN THE SCIENCE OLYMPIAD – CENTRAL REGION

The hard work and dedication has paid off again for Windy Ridge Middle School students. After four months of practice, Windy Ridge has come out on top in the overall round of the Central Region Science Olympiad. The event was held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at Cypress Creek High School. This is the third year in a row that Windy Ridge has earned the first place trophy.

The event was the state’s largest regional competition including 38 teams from all across Central Florida. Windy Ridge had 23 students participate in 23 events throughout the day. Individual award winners include:

Silver - Jasmine Ly & Maren Tomcsak -- Disease Detectives

Gold - Steven Gilmour & Austin Hanan -- Elevated Bridge

Gold - Trisha Singh, Jeni Norwalk & Tyler Powers -- Experimental Design

Silver - Kristen Williams & Maren Tomcsak -- Fossils

Silver -  Kristen Williams & Charlotte Labinski -- Ornithology

Bronze -  Lexy Accion & Jeni Norwalk -- Physical Science Lab

Gold - Jenaan Maali & Trisha Singh -- Road Scholar

Bronze - Charlotte Labinski & Steven Gilmour -- Wright Stuff

The team now moves to the state round. The Florida Science Olympiad will be held on April 10, 2010 at the University of Central Florida.

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, March 13th, 2010

Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location: Curry Ford Park Renaissance Center (3800 S Econlockhatchee Tr. Orlando, FL 32829)

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

News from District 1

TOO BAD IT IS NOT THANKSGIVING BECAUSE THIS ONE

IS CERTAINLY TODAY’S TURKEY

…guess we ignited a firestorm on the Dr. Phillips Blvd./Wallace Rd issue (see article below)…comments poured out of the woodwork…as you can expect, everyone who has contacted us “has a position”…

…for those who want a little of the history, Lou Roeder’s email says it best:

 I recently read with interest your new posting on OCINS - see below.  I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me this afternoon about your position.  While I very much appreciate your logic and the opinion you have put forth, I must respectfully disagree.  Why? Because as a settlement to a lawsuit involving several Dr. Phillips homeowners associations, the School Board and Pulte Homes, monies were deposited by Pulte into an account (some $100,000) set up with the purpose of improving the backup conditions on Wallace Road as they approach the Dr. Phillips intersection from the east - as well as requiring the installation of a set of turn lanes into the Greenleaf subdivision further east - again to help relieve the traffic on Wallace Road that might be exacerbated by the addition of the multi-family condos proposed by Pulte.  In addition, the Pulte project was rezoned to other schools until the local schools could handle the anticipated influx of students to be occasioned by that project.  We local residents have waited a long time for the turn lane improvements to be installed at Wallace Road and Dr Phillips.  The money has been committed and set aside specifically for that purpose - again, to ostensibly to relieve traffic on Wallace Road and to make the intersection safer, not only for automobiles, but pedestrian traffic as well.  So, any idea of trying to allocate these monies for something else would, I think at a minimum, require the approval of the HOAs that participated in that lawsuit, not to mention the School Board.

 Sorry, Lou, but while the facts as you give them are accurate and we respect your right to disagree, we think that its about time to move the clock forward to today…the today that we know is that people are hanging on by their fingernails…that OC Staff has seen fit to act like “yesteryear” is nothing new…look to East OC, West OC, South OC and North OC…the great “planners” will “solve your problems overnight”…today Wallace Road serves its neighborhoods, but in tomorrow’s world the planners will whiz traffic along so fast you won’t even know it’s there…gee, they have already proved their worth, look at Sand Lake Road…AND AS TURKEY LAKE (Palm Pkwy) DEVELOPS FURTHER, just think how all of the Wallace Road neighborhoods, etc., will love it…instead of looking at cars out their windows, they’ll have “a front row seat to the Wallace Road 500!”

…look and listen to Sheriff Deming’s, Ron Blocker’s, Martha Haynie’s, Undersheriff Rivero’s videos (listed above) and then tell us about all the money that OC has to throw around…heck, while you’re at it, why don’t you throw in an overpass or an underpass and 8 lane the intersection…think of just how much safer we are going to make it for our school children and for the children and adults who frequent the YMCA…so we may have to close a PCAN Clinic or 2…so we may have to lay off a few more people…so if your hydrant doesn’t work, connect the fire hose to your water faucet…oh, yes, in case you’ve forgot, as our tourist tax continues its “free fall” remember to set aside the 50 million(+/-) dollars a year it costs  to operate the Convention Center even when it’s empty…

…how about having a community meeting or two?…sorry, we can’t afford to send out the mailings anymore, according to the OC Staff we’ve asked about the subject…but it’s “business as usual” when it comes to widening roads…

…that’s our view…we welcome yours…

News from District 1

DR. PHILLIPS’ ABOUT TO BE BLESSED WITH A NEW FREEWAY?

…surely we jest?…sorry, “we don’t jest”…Dr. Phillips’ residents are about to be blessed with another “killing zone” at the intersection of Wallace and Dr. Philips Blvd…our words and our view of things as we understand them to be…seems to us that Orange County remains in the “business as usual mode” when it comes to traffic…deja vue?, “you betcha”…when traffic gets unbearable, take a “community road” and turn it into a freeway…look from east to west or from north to south in Orange County(OC) and you see it over and over again…seems that 10 years ago we asked for improvements to the intersection of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake…ask OC Planning and they will point with pride at the improvements that have been made…our personal view?…it was a mess 10 years ago…it was a mess 5 years ago…its still a mess…if what we say is not true then why the need to expand the intersection of Wallace and Dr. Phillips Blvd?…why take a residential community road that was designed to handle residents and expand it…expand it where, you ask…expand it right in front of Dr. Phillips Elementary School, we answer…what better place to put lives at risk?…why have we had such an increase in traffic if the Turkey Lake and Sand Lake intersection has been  properly designed to handle the increase in traffic we were told it would handle?…who is behind this move?…3 guesses and the first two don’t count…notice that all the “big moves” are coming just in advance of our next vote…why?…so that they can be in place and negate any moves that you the voter will take…

…the facts?…OC is proposing to cut back on road repaving, health clinics, fire protection, deputies, but “development interests” continue to get a green light…we recommend that District 1 residents let their views on this be known to the District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd ( DISTRICT1@OCFL.NET ) or cal 407 836 7350 and ask to be connected to the District1 Commissioner’s Office…

…that’s our view, we welcome yours… 

News from LYNX

NEW POINCIANA PICKUPLINE 603 STARTS MARCH 15

…click on:

http://www.golynx.com/

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LYNX PREPARES FOR STATE

OPERATOR AND MAINTENANCE ROADEO

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 5, 2010) – It will be a battle to crown the finest public transportation operator and maintenance team in the 2010 State Roadeo at the LYNX Operations Center (LOC) on March 13.

The two-time state champion Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX) will attempt to defend their title in the training competition sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA).

The LYNX participants will be the Local Roadeo champion maintenance team of Chris Balroop, Hemo Harnanan and Harry Mootoo, and Operator Pablo Perez. There will be 23 participants from nine public transportation agencies participating.

Operators and Maintenance teams will be put through physical and mental challenges testing their everyday workplace skills. Technicians will locate and troubleshoot planted defects on a bus, in an engine, in the A/C system and in the air brake system. Operators also will identify defects in a bus and then drive though a challenging obstacle course while being timed and judged in safety habits.

The state of Florida winners will move on to the May 2, 2010, International Bus Roadeo in Cleveland, Ohio. This training exercise also will be sponsored by the FPTA.

The state event is closed to the public.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday, March 13

9 a.m.

LYNX Operations Center

Building A (Maintenance)

Building B (Operators)

2500 LYNX Lane

Orlando, Fla. 32804

(Off Princeton Street near John Young Parkway.)

CRIME LINE 407.423.TIPS (407.423.8477)

At 9:19 PM, 03.05.10, Orange County Deputies were dispatched to the Walgreens Pharmacy at 12100 Apopka Vineland Road in reference to an armed robbery. 

According to witnesses a black male and a light-skinned Hispanic male approached the register to make a purchase.  As the clerk was conducting the transaction the Hispanic male pointed a dark handgun at her and demanded money.  The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the store on foot.

Deputies, including a K-9 unit, conducted a search for the suspects.  The K-9 led deputies to a nearby adjacent parking lot where the track abruptly ended.  Deputies believe the suspects fled from the area in a vehicle from the parking lot.

While the investigation into the Walgreens robbery continued the Sheriff’s Office received a report of an armed robbery to a CVS Pharmacy located at 5402 Central Florida Parkway.  Two suspects matching the description of the men involved in the above robbery entered the business, picked up an item to purchase, and walked up to the register to complete the transaction. 

As the female clerk began to ring up the merchandise one of the suspects pointed a handgun at her and demanded money.  She complied with the request and the suspects fled the store on foot.  Direction of travel unknown.  No definitive vehicle description was provided in either of the robberies.

Investigators have limited suspect information at this time.

Suspect one is reported to be a heavy set black male – short hair – gray or white hoodie with a dark design on front.  He may have been unshaven and wearing dark or black pants.  Late teens to early 20’s.

Suspect two was said to be a Hispanic male (based on his accent) wearing a black hoodie with a light design on front.  He was armed with a dark handgun.  He also was reported to be in his late teens or early 20’s.

Both suspects remain at large.  No pharmaceuticals were taken in either robbery.  We have no additional details to offer you at this time however, updates, to include the availability of any video or photographs of the suspects will be provided to you immediately if/when they become available.  Suspect descriptions and the manner or similarities in which these robberies were carried out strongly suggests that they are related.

Thanks…

Jim Solomons

Orange County Sheriff's Office

Media Relations

News from OCPS

COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION OF WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL UNDERWAY

by Lindsley Wright

The comprehensive renovation of Walker Middle School is a phased project with the completion scheduled for the end of March 2012. The School Board of Orange County approved a $32.1 million budget for the project.

“I am thrilled about the work taking place at Walker Middle School,” said School Board Member Judge “Rick” Roach (District 3). “The school has a very special place in my heart and is where I began my teaching career back in 1972. The improvements and additions will provide the needed facilities to serve the needs of our students for decades to come.”

Construction plans include new facilities to house classrooms, cafeteria, music and chorus rooms. Other new space includes an expanded gymnasium locker room and coaching facilities. Administrative offices and classrooms in an existing two-story building will be renovated. Upgraded classroom technology, new energy efficient air conditioning and heating system, additional parking spaces and a newly designed vehicular parent drop-off area are part of the campus makeover.

“The renovations and improvements at our older existing schools are an excellent way for the district to reinvest educational capital in established communities while meeting current and future needs,” said Superintendent Ronald Blocker.

Rhodes+Brito Architects designed the plans for the project and Walker & Company is the construction management team overseeing the work on campus.

“I am confident the Walker Middle School community will be very proud of the additions and improvements to the campus, as we preserve the past and build for the next generation of students,” said Chief Facilities Officer Bob Proie.

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TWO PRINCIPALS SELECTED AS REGIONAL FINALISTS

FOR THE 2010 JUST READ, FLORIDA! AWARD

by Katherine Marsh

Boone High School principal Margaret McMillen and Mollie Ray Elementary School principal Kathryn Shuler will advance to the next level in the 2010 Just Read, Florida! awards.    

The Just Read, Florida! office in the state Department of Education promotes literacy and awards educators who are committed  to the same. Principals McMillen and Shuler have demonstrated to the state that they are committed to excellence in literacy education at their schools. They both are one of two regional finalists for their categories in Region 3.

They join Superintendent Ronald Blocker who was announced as one of two regional finalists for Region 3 in February. Superintendent Blocker’s category is Reading Leader of the Year. For more information, go to www.justreadflorida.com .

FRAUDULENT [CENSUS] ACTIVITY AND SCAMS

The following information has been copied from:

http://www.census.gov/survey_participants/related_information/phishing_email_scams_bogus_census_web_sites.html

The Census Bureau uses a workforce of trained federal employees to conduct a variety of household and business surveys by telephone, in-person interviews, through the mail, and in limited cases through the Internet. We understand your personal information is sensitive, and go to great lengths to protect the data we collect. Although we cannot stop or warn against all bogus or false collections of data -- here are some tips to help you recognize fraudulent activity or unofficial data collections.

If you are contacted for any of the following reasons -- Do Not Participate. It is NOT the U.S. Census Bureau.

Phishing:

'Phishing' is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, social security numbers, bank account or credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically carried out by email and it often directs users to enter sensitive information at a fake web site whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.

Other Scams:

The Census Bureau does NOT conduct the 2010 Census via the Internet

The Census Bureau does not send emails about participating in the 2010 Census

The Census Bureau never:

Asks for your full social security number

Asks for money or a donation

Sends requests on behalf of a political party

Requests PIN codes, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

How to report scams and bogus Census web sites:

If you believe you have been contacted as part of bogus or fraudulent activity falsely representing the Census Bureau:

In Person Scam:

Check for a valid Census ID badge

Call your regional office to verify you are in a survey

Email Scams:

If you think it is a bogus email, do not reply or click on any links within the email.

Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain code that could infect your computer

Forward the email or web site URL to the Census Bureau at ITSO.Fraud.Reporting@census.gov .

After you forward the email to us, delete the message. You will not receive a confirmation email after forwarding the information to us. However, the Census Bureau will investigate the information and notify you of its findings.

Mail Scams:

Contact the United States Postal Inspection Service

Is your survey legitimate?

You may further verify if a collection activity is legitimate by calling your regional census office regarding mail surveys, and our National Processing Center for phone surveys. Other questions may be answered through our Are You In a Survey? page.

MOVIE IN THE PARK PRESENTS WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Ocoee, Florida –   The City of Ocoee’s Park and Recreation Department will be premiering Where The Wild Things Are for its Movie in the Park event on Saturday, March 27, at Bill Breeze Park, 125 North Lakeshore Drive. The film will start at 7:45 p.m., but the lawn area opens at 6:30 p.m. for picnickers. Get there early for a spot with a good view.

Where The Wild Things Are is about an adolescent named Max, who has an active imagination. He throws fits if others don't go along with what he wants. Max eventually runs away from home after an argument he has with his mother. Wearing his wolf costume at the time, Max not only runs away physically, but runs toward a world in his imagination. This world is inhabited by large wild beasts, including one named Carol who is much like Max himself.  Instead of eating Max like they normally would with creatures of his type, the wild things befriend Max after he proclaims himself a king who can magically solve all their problems.

Admission is free. Popcorn, candy and beverages will be available for purchase. Bring your own blanket and lawn chair.  Everyone is encouraged to bring in non-perishable items.  Don’t miss this fun-filled outing with family and friends.

FROM COMMISSIONER BRUMMERS OFFICE

Just a reminder that the public comment period ends on March 29th for the EPA’s proposed water quality standards for Florida.

To submit a comment to the EPA:

o    Go to http://www.regulations.gov

o    Enter EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0596-0179 in the Enter Keyword or ID box and click Search.

o   The first result will be Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters.

o    Click Submit A Comment and you will have the option to type your comments or upload a file.

Some of you were able to be at the EPA’s public meeting on February 17th, where concern was expressed by many in attendance.  Others of you were able to be at the DEP’s public meeting on February 23rd, where DEP staff answered questions about the EPA rule. The more we learn about this rule and this process the more concerned we are. See Commissioner Brummer’s comment below as a place to start your comments if you wish.

We cannot emphasize enough the need to express your concerns to the EPA through the public comment process! Please let one of us know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Sarah Fowler

Aide to Commissioner Fred Brummer

FROM COMMISSIONER BRUMMER, DISTRICT 2

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.

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 February for the hotel collection month of January 2010 were $11,588,200. Resort taxes are charged on short-term rentals, mostly hotels and motels.

Comptroller Haynie noted that January 2010 collections were nearly ten percent lower than January 2009. “This drop on the heels of last month’s leveling off shows us that the tourist economy is not yet coming out of the recession,” Haynie stated.

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

BANK ROBBERY

SHERIFF’S ROBBERY INVESTIGATORS RELEASE IMAGES OF SUSPECT

IN FEBRUARY 25, 2010 ROBBERY TO TRUSTCO BANK

At 2:11 PM yesterday, 02.25.10, man walked into the Trustco Bank at 10249 South John Young Parkway and robbed a teller at gunpoint.  The suspect fled the bank on foot with an undetermined amount of cash and remains at large.

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately six feet tall, with a thin build.  At the time of the robbery he was wearing dark jeans, a blue shirt with a tie, sunglasses, and a hat.  His face was masked, he wore gloves, and was armed with a handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Florida Crimeline at 407.423.TIPS or the Orange County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

Jim Solomons

OCINS NOTE:…yet further evidence that while we work, play, sleep, etc., others are at work 24/7,365 days a year providing “public safety”…the prime responsibility of government!…

SPRING FLING

Ocoee, Florida –   –The City of Ocoee will host its 5th Annual Spring Fling on Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Bill Breeze Park at Starke Lake, (behind Ocoee Municipal Complex, 150 North Lakeshore Drive).

The purpose of Spring Fling is to educate, raise awareness and empower residents to be safe. The event will offer numerous activities aimed at reinforcing safe behavior by youth and families. These activities include a kid poster contest; trees, plants and rain barrel giveaways (must be an Ocoee resident); face painting by Petey the Clown; an educational road obstacle track; Innovations on How to Install New Product Demonstrations and much more.  There will also be special appearances by the Safety Safari, MIX 105.1, KC “The Crime Dog” and Cruiser from the Winter Garden Police Dept. and a puppet show by the Ocoee Fire Department.

(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