January 2008
Community Paper
copyright ©2007 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

As 2007 comes to a close, let me reflect on just a few of the very important things that have happened during the past year. Of course it is not comprehensive, but does demonstrate that Orlando and District 3 are as strong as ever.

The first task for 2007 was building support and consensus for the three proposed venues. After much excitement over the agreement reached between Mayor Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty in September 2006, it was time to roll up our sleeves and hash out the details of the project as well as share that vision with the entire community. While part of our Economic Development team was garnering support for the venue plan, the Mayor and other members of our staff were developing another plan that will have an impact on our community for years to come. Its culmination was in March with the announcement that The Burnham Institute will locate their eastern headquarters in southeast Orlando and further pave the way for a Medical City that will be second to none.

The City of Orlando partnered with the State of Florida, Orange County, the University of Florida Medical School, the newly created medical school at the University of Central Florida, Tavistock Group and our two great hospitals, Florida Hospital and Orlando Regional Health Systems, to create a commitment to expand the ever growing bio-medical industry in Central Florida. A few months later, Burnham opened their new, temporary headquarters and research center in South Orlando and we have taken another step toward creating an even better place to live.

In July, after much negotiation, the Orlando Venues became a reality. With an unprecedented partnership between the City of Orlando, Orange County, the Orlando Magic, the Dr. Philips Performing Arts Center and the Florida Citrus Sports Association, we formally agreed to create three great new venues for our citizens and visitors alike. The Orlando Events Center, with the support of the Orlando Magic, took another step toward groundbreaking with the unveiling of concept plans in December. DPPAC has acquired all of the land they will require to complete the Performing Arts Center and are also working toward concept plans. And, the Florida Citrus Sports Association has been doing the same this holiday season between their signature events…the Champs Sports Bowl (December 28) and the Capital One Bowl (January 1), featuring Heisman Trophy winner and UF quarterback Tim Tebow.

2007 brought to College Park the organization of the Edgewater Drive Vision Task Force. The 11-member group held their organizational meetings in November, and then on December 1, they kicked off the public input process with the Edgewater Drive Walkabout. The walkabout’s purpose was for the public, with assistance from the Task Force and members of City Planning staff, to analyze assets and opportunities along the Edgewater Drive corridor to create a vision that manages future growth.  As we go into 2008, the task force is excited to process the information that was gathered at the walkabout in order to hold more public input meetings that focus on individual topics, such as urban form, transportation and pedestrian friendliness. Please visit the task force’s web page at: www.cityoforlando.net/planning/cityplanning/edgewaterplan.htm to stay involved.

As the year began, the hometown news contained much about the growing crime rate in Orlando and Orange County. 2006 was a record year for violent crimes and the murder rate. In fall 2006, Mayor Dyer recommended, with your City Council’s approval, to provide a major funding initiative to increase the frontline police officers and firefighters for three years. With any surplus dollars we had, we provided resources for both staff and supplies to support these primary functions of our city. By mid-year, we had more OPD officers on the streets than ever before and have created several key tactical initiatives that have been very successful in curbing crime.

The Gun Bounty Program has received more than 700 tips and paid out scores of rewards for tips on illegal guns in our community. Operation All Hands on Deck placed desk officers on the streets to provide safety to some of Orlando’s hottest crime spots. Operation Delta, led by our newly appointed police chief, Val Demings, focused on reducing crime in the Parramore area and has netted 721 arrests in the last two months, and Operation Armour All, created by the OPD chaplains, engaged the faith community to provide support through a 40-day prayer vigil. By the first of December, the Orlando Sentinel reported a drop in violent crime in the City of Orlando and we have seen marked decreases all over District 3.

But, as excited as we are about these statistics and about the direction we are heading, we still have much work to do. We have increased our Neighborhood Watch groups all over District 3 and both emergency and non-emergency calls to OPD are up! That’s good! This means that our citizens are more alert and willing to help be part of the solution to crime in our neighborhoods. Let me express my personal thanks to every Neighborhood Watch group, their captains and coordinators for their commitment to our community. Because of you, we are safer still.

As we are poised to ring in the New Year, let me express my personal thanks for your support of me, our District 3 staff (Jessica Stead, aide; Officer Kevlon Kirkpatrick, liaison officer), our city professionals, and our local neighborhood and homeowners groups. We expect to see great things in 2008!


College Park's Holiday on the Drive had a big surprise this year, as George Bush told City Commissioner Robert Stuart that they had something in common. "My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions."

Actually, "George" is local resident John Morgan, one of the top four winners of ABC's "Next Best Thing" celebrity impersonator show. Visit his website at www.GeorgeBushImpersonator.com.

Robert

Robert F. Stuart, District 3 City Commissioner
400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-246-2003; e-mail Robert.Stuart@cityoforlando.net
or check out Orlando's website (www.cityoforlando.net)