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


From the Desk of City Commissioner Robert Stuart

It doesn’t seem possible that another year has almost past and we are closing in on 2009! Much has happened in 2008, and I want to pause and express my gratitude for what we have accomplished together.

One of this year’s accomplishments of which I am most proud is the re-opening of the revitalized Dubsdread Golf Course in the heart of College Park. It is truly a City jewel, and while the course has undergone some wonderful changes, including now having undulation and water features, it doesn’t forget its historic roots and continues to boast narrow fairways and heavily bunkered, “postage stamp” style greens just like it has since its construction in 1923. And because of many wonderful partnerships, we have been able to continue Dubsdread’s legacy of being a premiere municipal course, one that is truly accessible to everyone, with extremely reasonable rates (especially for Orlando residents) and membership packages. If you haven’t visited or played the course lately, I highly recommend that you take some time this holiday season to stop by and see this great amenity.

We have also made significant progress with our citizen-driven Edgewater Drive Vision Task Force. Toward the end of November, we held a public meeting where the task force’s draft recommendations were presented to the community. The members of the group received some great feedback and comments, and with that information will work toward finalizing those recommendations to be presented to the Municipal Planning Board and eventually the City Council. I am so proud of the commitment and the dedication these task force members have displayed. Their focus has never wavered and their mission, as well as the City’s, continues to be to make sure that Edgewater Drive’s commercial district remains a wonderful neighborhood asset for our community.
In addition, we have seen a decrease in violent crime in our community and have secured some additional funding from the Federal Government for a few more police officers and more equipment while also laying the foundation for a public surveillance video camera system (IRIS) that will help our city become safer than ever.

In District 3, we have organized more and more Neighborhood Watch Groups helping to reduce crime in your neighborhood. While the job is never done, we have made significant progress with some areas seeing a decrease in crime of more than 25%. Neighborhood Watch is successful…because of you! Keep up the great work.
Speaking of crime, don’t forget that the Holiday Season also brings out some who choose to prey on law-abiding citizens. Lock your car doors, move packages from inside the car to the trunk, ask for assistance walking back to your vehicle at night, don’t open your door to strangers, and the list goes on. For a special brochure on Crime Prevention during the Holidays, please check out the Neighborhood Watch link on my webpage, www.cityoforlando.net/district3.

As we enter into this busy holiday season, there are some fantastic events taking place around our community. If you attended the wonderful College Park Jazz Fest in November, you know that the merchants and residents of Edgewater Drive certainly organize fun community events. Consider joining them again for Holiday on the Drive, which takes place on December 6th and is free and open to the public. Also, on December 2nd, the City of Orlando will have their annual Holiday Lights Orlando here at City Hall, where among other fun festivities, we’ll light the City’s Christmas tree! For more events, check out the calendar link on my City webpage.

Let me also express my thanks to our District 3 Aide, Jessica Stead, and our District 3 Police Liaison Officer, Officer Kevlon Kirkpatrick. Both have exhibited the professionalism that I’ve seen in so many of our City staff and are committed to serving you with the care that you deserve.

Last, but certainly not least, I’m grateful for your support as we serve the citizens of the City of Orlando and especially District 3. I am truly humbled by your decision to elect me to serve you and am thankful for that opportunity. 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)