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


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

As the election season ends and the holiday season begins, I wanted to update you on some of the goings-on in District 3 and around the City.

While we have all been inundated with information about the two major parties’ presidential nominees, please take the time to study what else will be on the November 4th ballot, including state senate and representative races along with races for Orange County Sheriff, State Attorney and many others. Also, there will be six constitutional amendments to consider. For a summary of those amendments as well as a listing of opponents and proponents of each, please visit my webpage at www.cityoforlando.net/district3 and check out the link to election information.
And as we all look for ways to have fun on a budget this holiday season, consider some of the great, affordable City amenities, many of which are located right here in District 3. For example, Leu Gardens offers free admission every Monday from 9 a.m. – noon. And their regular adult admission is just $7.00 per person, cheaper than even going to the movies. Also Leu Gardens will be having their Fall Jazz Stroll on November 15th at 7 p.m. For details, visit their website at  www.leugardens.org.

Also important to add to your calendars is the Edgewater Drive Vision Task Force presentation of their draft recommendations. The Edgewater Drive Task Force has been working diligently for many months, holding public meetings, gathering data, and speaking to residents and business owners in the College Park area to get ideas of how they want our commercial district to look and feel. Please join them along with City Planning staff at the College Park Methodist Church, (corner of Princeton and Edgewater at 644 W. Princeton Street) on November 18th at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary to hear their draft list of recommendations that will be presented to the Municipal Planning Board and the Orlando City Council in the coming months.

And the month comes to a close with Thanksgiving, a wonderful holiday filled with fellowship, traditions, football and great food! But it is even more important because the day’s main goal is to focus on gratitude for everything we have been given. Someone once said to, “hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.” One way we can put into perspective all we have to be thankful for is to assist those who are the most vulnerable in our community. Organizations such as the Salvation Army and Second Harvest Food Bank are overwhelmed by the increase in requests for services. If you are thinking of donating your valuable time or monetary resources this holiday season, please consider giving to one of our local charities that benefit the people right here in Central Florida.

Once again, thank you for your support. Thanks for everything you do to make our College Park community a better place and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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)