OCFL.net           Facebook           Twitter           YouTube           Flickr           Subscribe


November 2013Top

Greetings,

On November 28th, we will gather with our families, friends and loved ones to collectively give thanks for all of the joys and prosperities we enjoy in Orange County and our great nation. I am especially grateful for the sacrifice of our military families and the men and women in uniform who continue to serve our country with courage and valor to defend our freedoms.

As one of the most diverse communities in America, families throughout Orange County will celebrate this important national holiday with their own special traditions. This is also an exceptional year of celebration for the men, women and families of the Jewish faith, as the first day of Chanukah and Thanksgiving occur on the same day.

As we reflect upon our personal joys and good fortunes, I encourage our citizens to find a way to help our neighbors in need. I know that many of you will spend Thanksgiving, Chanukah and the holiday season volunteering at our many non-profit organizations, homeless shelters and food banks. For a listing of local food bank drives, through Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, click here.

 I applaud your commitment in serving the less fortunate, and I thank you for your compassion and dedication to making Orange County the best place in the world to live, learn, work, and raise a family.

With the holiday season just around the corner, organizations throughout the community have begun gathering clothing and holiday gift items for our neighbors in need. I am so proud of our regional partners who have pledged to brighten the lives of children this holiday season with their own toy drives including WFTV 9 Family Connection, The Salvation Army Orlando Metropolitan Area Command, the Children's Home Society of Florida and the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Your thoughtfulness and generous contributions will provide the greatest gift of all, hope.

My staff is also gearing up for my third annual Holiday Heroes Toy Drive, which will benefit infants, children, and teens through Orange County's Neighborhood Centers for Families, the Community Food and Outreach Center, Wraparound Orange, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in Orlando.

Giving back to our community has always been a top priority for me, for my family as part of our traditions, and as an important focus of public service. I wish to thank all of our citizens and employees in advance for their efforts toward making this our most successful toy drive yet! 

In this month's newsletter, you will learn more about our second "Orange County Experience" class, the Fall Festival and Battle of the Bands at Barnett Park, and the Orange County Convention Center's certification as the largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED�) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Gold (EBOM) certified center in the world.

On behalf of the Jacobs family and our wonderful staff at Orange County, I sincerely wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

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

Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor

                   Venues and Tourism Package 

Venues and Tourism Promotion Package Approved
I am joined by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, members of the Board of County Commissioners, elected city officials and community leaders.

Orange County's approved ordinance for our $94.5 million venues package marks a crucial step in our quest to transform Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida into a mecca of economic, cultural, and sports opportunities that are essential to supporting our increasingly diverse and creative population for generations to come.

Orange County is already in the midst of transformation. Within just a few years, we'll be using regional rail and commuter trains for transportation. Soon, we will hardly recognize downtown, with a fantastic new performing arts center, and outstanding sports facilities.  From the University of Central Florida and our Medical City to Innovation Way and Research Park, we are on the brink of an extraordinary era of discovery and innovation. But before transformation comes, we must ensure a strong foundation.

As a non-negotiable starting point, we continue to protect the base of our economic engine, our Orange County Convention Center, with comprehensive technology improvements, building upgrades and strong fiscal protections. 

As a companion to that economic base, we've now prioritized the completion of the venues that were promised in 2007 and other parts of the puzzle that will vault us into the upper echelon of world class cities. 

It is not an exaggeration to call our venues ordinance a genuine once in a lifetime opportunity for this community. Now, we are truly destined to become an international hub.  From an incredibly diverse, creative and educated population to a world-class performing arts center and some of the best sports venues in North America, we will have unimaginable leisure and arts opportunities, all of which will propel continued economic development.

Through our vision, collaboration, hard work, and good will, Central Florida is on the threshold of incredibly positive change.  Let's continue to build on this great success together!

Back to top.
                 The Orange County Experience

The Orange County Experience Recharges for Second Year

In October, my team launched The Orange County Experience, an 11-week program designed to help citizens better understand Orange County Government.

Now in its second year, this program provides citizens with information that will enable them to navigate county operations and services, in an effective and seamless manner.

The inaugural class of participants consisted of 20 citizens who spent 10 weeks and over 32 hours with Orange County departments and divisions, touring facilities ranging from the Convention Center, the Medical Examiner's Office, Fire Rescue to Public Works.

The 2013 class had 26 registered participants who expressed an interest in how Orange County Government works with citizens and businesses. The departments and divisions explored in each session were selected by citizen participants through an online survey.

I look forward to continuing this program next year and to engaging even more of our citizens through this intensive engagement program in the future.

Back to top.
           Join My 2013 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive
                
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.

Add a description
At the Community Food and Outreach Center for the distribution of toys from our previous Holiday Heroes Toy Drive.
I invite you to join my 2013 Mayor Teresa Jacobs' Holiday Heroes Toy Drive. Last year, we collected more than 2,600 toys for area children. This year, we hope to collect even more. 

I encourage you to bring a new, unwrapped toy for children from infants to 18-years-old to specified locations and events that are listed on our website,
www.ocfl.net/HolidayHeroes.

All donations will be delivered to children through the Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, the Community Food and Outreach Center, Wraparound Orange, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in Orlando. Now in its third year, the drive begins November 18th and lasts until December 13, 2013.

Suggested unwrapped toys include basketballs and sporting equipment, Barbie dolls, craft kits, junior board games, dolls, Legos, Tonka toys, action figures and sets, soccer balls, footballs, model cars, planes, tea sets, skateboards and helmets.

Please consider being 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.

Back to top.
   Employee Fall Festival & Battle of the Bands

Join us at the Employee Fall Festival and Battle of the Bands at Barnett Park

In April I enjoyed hosting Orange County's 2nd annual Jazz in the Park event at Dr. Phillips Community Park in honor of our service and volunteer organizations.

With the crisp weather that comes in November, it's the perfect time for a picnic in the park with family and friends!

Orange County employees and citizens are invited to Orange County's inaugural Employee Fall Festival and Battle of the Bands at Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808 on Saturday, November 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for November  17. Employees are asked to register in advance online at http://ocfallfest.eventbrite.com.

From the time I was a County Commissioner, I've wanted to host a fun and energizing event where we can enjoy the amazing musical talents of our co-workers, as well as, some wonderful fall festivities in the company of our children and families.

Each group in our Battle of the Bands contest features at least one county employee. Our outstanding panel of judges include Arts and Cultural Affairs Administrator Terry Olson; OrlandoBands.com Founder Ben Gardner; and District 3 Commissioner Pete Clarke, who is also a musician. The winning band will receive a trophy designed by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Division staff and bragging rights.

Our Parks and Recreation staff are providing bounce houses, face painting, and a bungee jump for children to enjoy. In addition to a wide variety of food available for purchase, Melvin Pittman, retired and former Community and Environmental Services Director, has graciously accepted my invitation to grill his famous Lil' Melvin's BBQ chicken and ribs, featuring my own home-made barbeque sauce. In addition to local food trucks, visitors may purchase a variety of baked goods and raffle tickets for gift baskets with proceeds benefitting United Way.  

I look forward to a fun and festive day with all of our employees and their families, and can't wait to crown the winner of our inaugural Battle of the Bands contest!

 Back to top.
NCAA Division I Basketball Championship

NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Brings $10 Million Economic Impact

Central Florida Sports Commission CEO John Bisignano joins  Mayor Buddy Dyer and me for the NCAA announcement.
NCAA Basketball is back! I was delighted to join our Local Organizing Committee at the Amway Center in October for our NCAA 2014 Basketball Championship announcement. Tickets to the preliminary rounds of the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship are now available for purchase, and fans wishing to buy tickets to the second and third round of games at the Amway Center may visit www.NCAA.com/mbbtickets

The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship will attract thousands of fans from across the United States to our community, generating more than 14,000 room nights and nearly $10 million of economic impact for the region. In addition, the international and national exposure created by the media and live telecast will be immeasurable for Orlando and Orange County. This is exactly the type of event for which the Amway Center was built!

Four of the Amway Center games will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2014, and two games will occur on March 22, 2014.  The specific game times and teams competing on each of these days will be determined by the NCAA on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2014.

The tournament games will be hosted locally by Stetson University, the Central Florida Sports Commission, and Orlando Venues, in partnership with the City of Orlando and Orange County.

This is the first time Orlando has played host to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship since 2004. The championship was previously hosted in Orlando, with Stetson University serving as host, in 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2004 at the Amway Arena. 
            OCCC Receives LEED Certification

Orange County Convention Center Receives Prestigious LEED Certification


I am joined by (L-R) Orange County Convention Center Sustainability Coordinator Abby Gulden, Orange County Convention Center Deputy General Manager Jan Addison, USGBC Senior Vice President Kimberly Lewis, Green Destination Orlando Executive Director Dina Belon-Sayre and Chairman of Orange County's Sustainability Committee John Martinez.

I am so proud that our Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED�) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Gold (EBOM) certification from The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), an arm of the U.S. Green Building Council.

We are now the largest convention center in the world to achieve LEED EBOM Gold certification. Considering the extraordinary importance to Orange County's economy, the ability of the OCCC in attracting meetings and conventions from around the world is critically important. The commitment to achieving LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certified status for our convention center is a crucial investment in our county's future, and of great significance to meeting planners and convention site selector professionals.

"This accomplishment demonstrates unprecedented leadership from Orange County and its convention center in response to one of the most important challenges of our time; addressing economic, environmental, social, and cultural issues in a sustainable manner." said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council.

Celebrating 30 years of success, the OCCC is the second largest convention facility in America. Each year, the OCCC, known in the industry as "The Center of Hospitality," attracts more than 200 events to the Central Florida area. As a result, roughly 1.4 million attendees contribute approximately $2.1 billion to the area's economy each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit our website at www.occc.net.

On behalf of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, I congratulate our staff and partners who were involved in the complex process of transforming our convention center into a LEED for Existing Building Gold certified facility.

 Back to top.
                      Habitat for Humanity

Stag Horn Villas Completion a Milestone for Habitat for Humanity

I am joined by the leadership of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando at the Stag Horn Villas Grand Celebration.

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando for completing its most ambitious homebuilding effort to date, the $8 million Stag Horn Villas townhome community near Silver Star Road.

I was delighted to speak at the Stag Horn Villas Grand Celebration in October, which marked the completed construction of 58 affordable, green, and energy-efficient townhomes by Habitat. The development features 10 buildings surrounded by lush green spaces, landscaping, and play areas.

In addition to Energy Star certification, Stag Horn Villas is one of only two Water Star Certified communities in the St. Johns River Water Management District. The Energy Star rating was made possible largely through partnerships with Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), Siemens and Professional Testing Associates.

Green building is certainly a component of Orange County's Sustainability Plan. "Our Home for Life," is the county's initiative to transform our region into a more prosperous, healthy, and livable community for current and future generations by addressing economic, environmental, social, and cultural issues in a holistic manner.

Over 16,000 volunteers, 3,500 donors, and 400 corporations contributed to the successful completion of the efficient and inviting Stag Horn Villas project during the last five years. Kudos to Habitat, and all of its volunteers and supporters, for successfully building this historic multifamily green project in Orange County. 

Back to top.
                         News Worth Noting ...


- I shared a delicious Italian meal with our employees at the Public Works 4th Annual Pasta with a Purpose lunch, benefiting Orange County's Great Oaks Village, a foster care facility. I wish to thank all of our employees, pictured above,  for their generous hearts and for giving back to such a worthwhile cause.

- I was honored to be a guest at the Central Florida Urban League's Annual Cornerstone Awards and Gala.

- It was my pleasure speaking at the Orlando Pride event in downtown Orlando. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many friends, both new and old!

- I had a blast at the 35th Annual Goldenrod Parade and Festival.

- I was delighted to speak at the Aga Khan Foundation Partnership Walk at Lake Eola in October. My remarks focused on global poverty and how the Aga Khan Foundation is addressing this issue by improving health, education, micro-finance, cultural awareness, and rural development.

- It was my pleasure to join Darden Restaurants, Inc.'s leadership team and community leaders for the ribbon cutting of their newest restaurant in our region, Eddie V's Prime Seafood. Congratulations on introducing a new brand to the Darden family, and for contributing more jobs and momentum to our economy.

- I was honored to speak at the Arab American Community Center's Town Hall meeting where we discussed important issues ranging from our recent venues ordinance to transportation initiatives and the extraordinary growth of our Medical City.
 
Back to top.

In This Issue

 
  OCFL Alert
OCFL 311
Watch Orange TV Live

OCFL.net

Orange Spiel

OCFL.net

Orange County Calendar



Orange County's
Social Media

Apple OCFL Alert

Android OCFL Alert

Subscribe to the
Orange County Connect

Subscribe to the Orange
County Connect En Espanol

Mayor Teresa Jacobs
201 S. Rosalind Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
[email protected]

Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.