 November 2012 |
Greetings,
November marks the beginning of the much anticipated holiday season and, of course, one of my favorite family celebrations, Thanksgiving. Soon we will gather with loved ones to reflect upon the many blessings we enjoy as citizens of this great nation.
We have much to be thankful for in Orange County. We are grateful for our freedoms, our families and friends, and the many gifts of economic prosperity we share as residents of Central Florida in the Sunshine State.
On a more personal note, I can't wait to have the entire Jacobs family all together for a good home cooked meal. Those who know me well will be happy to know that the Jacobs family holiday tradition of making Key Lime Pie from scratch is alive and well.
Since Election Day is just around the corner, I encourage you to educate yourself on the various amendments so that you can make informed choices at the voting booth. To find your polling place or to find a list for all Orange County polling sites, please visit Orange County's Supervisor of Elections website.
Sample ballots were mailed to all eligible Orange County voters, excluding those who requested an absentee ballot. To view a sample ballot, please click here.
Voters who are unsure of their registration status or who may be registered in another Florida county but now reside in Orange County, should call (407) 836-2070.
I also want to mention the millions of lives affected by Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast. Many of our citizens have family and friends in that region. We stand with them as they rebuild their communities.
In this newsletter, you'll learn more about job creation in our region, Hispanic Heritage Month and an initiative near and dear to my heart: my annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive.
As always, I thank you for your continued support and for staying connected with your government. And, from my family to yours, may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor |
My 2012 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive |
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Greeting families during the 2011 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive. |
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While the holidays are a time of joy for many in our community, it can be a difficult time for those who are struggling to make ends meet. Once again, I invite you to join my 2012 Mayor Teresa Jacobs' Holiday Heroes Toy Drive. This drive will help bring smiles to the faces of children in need in Orange County, and the need is great. Last year, we collected more than 1,000 toys for area children. This year, we hope to collect even more.
I encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy for kids up to 18-years-old to any Orange County Government building, select Orlando Federal Credit Union branches and BJ's of East Orlando. You can also bring toys to our Orange County Fire Stations.
All donations will be delivered to children through the Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, the Community Food and Outreach Center, Wraparound Orange and Toys for Tots. The drive begins November 22 and lasts until December 15, 2012.
Suggested gifts include stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, junior board games, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, model cars, trucks, planes, tea sets, Tonka cars and trucks, Legos, craft kits, electronic games, books for ages 13 and under, and gift cards for teenagers.
I challenge you to be a Holiday Hero to a child this year. It's been a tradition in our household for years. I hope you, too, can make our toy drive a part of your family's holiday tradition.
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Prime Therapeutics Brings High-Value Job Creation to Orange County |
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Prime Therapeutics' ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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In October, I was joined by Governor Rick Scott and Prime Therapeutics President Eric Elliot to announce the grand opening of Prime Therapeutics, Central Florida's newest pharmaceutical firm.
Prime Therapeutics complements our burgeoning life sciences industry and will increase economic growth by bringing 213 above average wage jobs to Orange County.
As a fully-accredited pharmacy manager, Prime Therapeutics provides efficient medication delivery and a comprehensive set of tools for managing specialty drug expenses.
I am pleased to have Prime Therapeutics as part of our business community and look forward to its continued growth in our region.
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Hometown Heroes Receive Medals of Achievement |
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I am accompanied by Lt. Col. Earle L. Denton, Col. Joe W. Kittinger II and their families. |
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In October, Lt. Col. Earle L. Denton and Col. Joe W. Kittinger II received the highest honor Orange County Government can bestow upon citizens who have exemplified greatness, courage and unwavering dedication in serving this great county. Both gentlemen received the Joe W. Kittinger Medal of Achievement during a ceremony held at the Orange County Regional History Center.
Lt. Col. Denton is a war hero who defended our freedom in the Korean War, while serving our nation in the United States Army. He was a Company Commander in Korea in 1953 and an Infantry Battalion Commander in Vietnam from 1966 until 1967.
Years ago, Orange County chose to honor another hometown hero, Col. Kittinger, with the Medal of Achievement bearing his name. After attending the University of Florida, Col. Kittinger entered the U.S. Air Force in 1949, where he served for the next 29 years.
During that period, he made five high-altitude flights in stratospheric balloons conducting scientific experiments for the U.S. Air Force in preparation for the space program. He held this prestigious record for the highest parachute jump ever made above the earth's surface from August 16, 1960 until last month. Back to top. |
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Orange County Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month |
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I am accompanied by the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County.
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I was honored to speak at Orange County's 14th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon at the Renaissance Senior Center in October. This event highlights the contributions made by Orange County employees and this important community in Central Florida.
About 310,000 people of Hispanic descent call Orange County home, where they serve with distinction as entrepreneurs, community leaders, and public servants.
Special thanks to the Hispanic Heritage Committee of Greater Orange County for organizing this event and for their many contributions to our great community.
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Orange County Hosts Naturalization Ceremony |
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Our newest citizens receive nationalization certificates.
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Earlier this month, I was honored to host a formal naturalization ceremony in Orange County's Board Chambers, at which 40 of our neighbors took the oath of citizenship and pledged allegiance to our great country.
I was very touched to witness our newest citizens demonstrating respect, honor, and gratitude as they recited their oath and received their certificates.
We are so privileged to live in a country where people of different traditions can live together and pursue their dreams. I was honored to be a part of this ceremony on this special day with so many Orange County families.
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Orange County Mourns the Passing of Earl K. Wood |
Orange County has lost a man whose enduring legacy will be that of public service and dedication to our community. Orange County Tax Collector, the late Earl K. Wood, passed away in October. Mr. Wood spent nearly five decades serving Orange County citizens in public office. He was a true public servant and community leader. Mr. Wood was a graduate of Orlando High School, a World War II veteran, and a former Orange County Government employee. He gave back to our community through volunteerism and various civic charities. He will be sorely missed.
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City Year Orlando's Opening Day |
It was my privilege to speak at City Year Orlando's Opening Day in October. We celebrated the yearlong commitment of service made by 50 new City Year corps members, who will serve as full time mentors, tutors, and role models at five Orange County public schools for one year. To learn more about City Year Orlando and how you can get involved, visit http://www.cityyear.org.
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- I was honored to speak at the Gary C. Sain Cafe dedication at the Orange County Convention Center in October. Gary was a giant in every aspect of life and left behind a remarkable legacy as our community's brand ambassador.
- It was my pleasure giving the welcome remarks and introducing the new Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary at the Florida Local Environmental Resource Agencies (FLERA) Conference.
- Congratulations to Jennifer Bohn, People magazine's Teacher of the Year. She teaches at Orange County's Maynard Evans High School and was featured in the October issue of People.
- Lake Nona Medical City continues to transform Central Florida's economy with the dedication of the 630,000-square-foot Nemours Children's Hospital. The sprawling 95-bed hospital opened to the public on October 22, 2012.
- It was indeed an honor to receive the Central Florida Woman of the Year award from the Women's Executive Council.
- I recently had the pleasure of meeting Maria Matilde Londoņo Jaramillo, Consul General of the Colombian Consulate General, in Orlando. I look forward to working with Ms. Jaramillo and forging new partnerships with the consulate in the future.
- I was proud to watch my friend and hometown hero Col. Joe W. Kittinger II assist Felix Baumgartner make his historic jump from a balloon-held capsule 128,000 feet (24.25 miles) above Earth on October 14, 2012. Baumgartner broke Joe's long- held high altitude jump record of 102,800 feet (19.5 miles) from a balloon set in 1960.
- Orange County's City of Orlando was ranked the No. 10 most searched city on Realtor.com last month.
- Shopping Centers Today ranked The Mall at Millenia in Orange County No. 10 among the world's most successful shopping centers.
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