October 2012 Orange County Connect

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October 2012

Greetings,

With the summer months behind us, families in Orange County will start preparing for their annual holiday traditions as loved ones, both near and far, begin making travel arrangements for Thanksgiving.

My family always marked October with a visit to a local pumpkin patch. I have fond memories of my four children carving jack-o-lanterns that were later displayed outside our doorsteps to greet young trick-or-treaters. Fortunately, the Orange County Regional History Center and outdoor parks like Leu Gardens have many safe activities planned for children and teens of all age brackets.

Speaking of brackets, football season is off to a fine start. Members of my staff have already made some early predictions for the NFL Playoffs. I won't reveal the Jacobs family's fantasy football league, but I will say that our jersey colors range from crimson and gold to blue and, of course, orange.

In this month's newsletter, you'll learn more about the Central Florida Branding Summit, my Tax Collector's Office Feasibility Task Force and Orange County Government's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

As always, I thank you for your continued support and for staying connected with your government.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jacobs

Orange County Mayor

Branding Summit

Central Florida Branding Summit Initiates Plans for Regional Marketing Campaign

Top community leaders, elected officials and stakeholders convened at the Orange County Convention Center for the Central Florida Branding Summit, an initiative to promote and expand our region's domestic and international brand.

While still embracing the fact that tourism and the hospitality industries are vital to our continued growth and success, I recognized our five county region needed to tell our economic story to a broader audience. Our technical, space flight, model simulation and training, digital media, manufacturing, agritechnology research and biomedical research industries in our Medical City are thriving business sectors that have secured Central Florida's position on the world stage as an economic powerhouse.

I look forward to working with summit attendees in the coming months on formulating our new unified message. I wish to thank all of our partners and stakeholders for supporting the branding initiative and our mission.

Tax Collector Services

Task Force Studying Tax Collector Services

In August, I convened a nine-member feasibility task force to study the delivery model of Orange County's Tax Collector services.

The task force will determine whether changes to the current elected Constitutional Officer structure should be examined by Orange County's Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for consideration as a future ballot measure for voters.

The task force acts in an advisory capacity and is comprised of three Mayoral appointees and an appointee from each of the six commission districts. Monthly task force meetings are scheduled every second Thursday of the month until August 2013, and all meetings will be announced through public notices and Orange County's website, www.ocfl.net.

All task force recommendations will be presented to the BCC for final consideration.

I look forward to the task force's final report and thank the appointees for their commitment to public service and their local government.

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Patriot Day

Orange County Remembers 9/11 Victims on Patriot Day

I was joined by retired Orange County Fire Rescue Chief Carl Plaugher (L) and keynote speaker City of New York Fire Department Deputy Chief John A. Jonas (R) at the 2012 Patriot Day Breakfast.

On Patriot Day, Orange County joined our great nation in paying tribute to the first responders and innocent victims whose lives were taken on September 11, 2001.

To commemorate Patriot Day, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners held a moment of silence for 9/11 victims after a presentation by the Orange County Fire Rescue Color Guard.

Earlier in the day, I attended the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association's 2012 Patriot Day Breakfast, featuring keynote speaker New York City Fire Department Deputy Chief John A. Jonas, who shared the emotional and touching stories of 9/11 victims.

With heavy hearts, we remember those who perished in these unthinkable acts of terrorism and the selfless heroes who bravely demonstrated the American spirit on that tragic day. Orange County will always remember and honor the families of 9/11.

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Mosquito Control

Mosquito Control Division Swats Orange County's Pests

Orange County's Mosquito Control Division.

I recently visited with Orange County's Mosquito Control Division. My workday and tour of Orange County's Mosquito Control Division in September was both educational and fascinating.

This office assists in managing Orange County's mosquito population and prevents the outbreak of dangerous mosquito-borne diseases that can be transmitted to humans, pets and livestock.

Using concise data surveillance gathered in our six districts, this office controls mosquitoes through a variety of sprays and techniques. In addition to truck-mounted insecticide spray machines approved by the state and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the team also performs daily inspections and treatments at known mosquito breeding locations.

To minimize these pests, Orange County citizens are advised to empty outdoor items that can collect water on a weekly basis, such as bird baths, wading pools, old tires, and empty flower pots and trash cans.

I wish to thank Orange County's Mosquito Control Division for arranging this educational workday and for their diligent work in maintaining our region's public health.

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Hispanic Heritage Month

Orange County's Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation and Reception

Proclamation Recipients at the BCC.

My staff and I recently commemorated Hispanic Heritage Month during a reception and proclamation ceremony preceding a Board of County Commissioners' meeting.

On October 19, 2012, I invite the public to join me and other Orange County employees for a lunch fiesta filled with music, local performances, Latin food and products on the lawn of the Administration Center, 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This event provides an opportunity for our community to showcase the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to the Central Florida community.

Orange County will also host a naturalization ceremony on October 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the Orange County Chambers. I plan to deliver special remarks before the ceremony, in which 40 people from nations all over the world will become U.S. citizens.

Hispanic Heritage observances date back to 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson first proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week. It was later extended to a month-long commemoration during President Ronald Reagan's administration.

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News Worth Noting ...

I had the pleasure of meeting with friends from the Hiawassee Oaks Homeowners Association (pictured above) in September. We discussed community development, the economy and other regional issues regarding Orange County. I was touched by their support and expression of appreciation.
Orange County's City of Orlando made Forbes.com's list of "20 Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals."
Florida's High Tech Corridor ranks among the top five technology hubs in the nation, according to job search startup Bright Labs. The data was based on job openings in the Central Florida region.
It was my pleasure speaking at the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund Success Stories Luncheon. The event recognizes our region's outstanding business owners from local Latin American communities.
Orange County citizens can now watch the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority meetings on Orange TV at http://www.orangetvfl.net. For meeting dates, visit www.oocea.com.
Rollins College ranked number 1 among 128 regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report. Rollins, a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Winter Park, also ranked second in the South's Great Schools at Great Prices category.
I attended the Christmas Covered Dish Dinner, where I enjoyed good food, great stories and exceptional company. I wish to thank the Christmas community for the dinner invitation and the warm welcome.
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce selected the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando as the 2012 Hispanic Chamber of the Year. Congratulations to our local Hispanic chamber for this significant accomplishment.
According to online trade publication TechCocktail.com, Orange County's City of Orlando was recently named a startup paradise. In all, 12 regions were recognized by members of the Young Entrepreneur Council, a members-only networking group of young business owners.
The University of Central Florida was ranked one of the nation's top institutions of higher education by U.S. News & World Report. UCF was also named one of the country's Top 10 "up-and-coming" schools for the fifth straight year in the publication's Best Colleges 2013 guidebook.