With the doom and gloom of upcoming hurricane season predictions, concern for public safety recently married with technology in Orange County. That marriage is giving birth to a new system to alert the public of dangers ranging from severe weather to Amber Alerts. The new system, OCAlert, uses text messaging technology to deliver alerts to any citizen wishing to subscribe to the service.
In life, there is one statement that always rings true. Rumors will always abound until the truth is found. Well, the rumor mills are cranking lately when it comes to the notion of traffic light cameras coming to Orlando and the surrounding areas.
Since the last issue of the Orlando Tribune, the top controversial story in Orange County continues to be the Wekiva River study. Various departmental officials and commissioners continue to clash on exactly what is going to be achieved with the ongoing studies regarding nitrates in the Wekiva River.
You’ve heard the old saying. “There are only two things in life that are certain…death and taxes.” Well, that old saying might just have to be revised.
The University of Central Florida, along with the rest of the public universities in the state, are looking to legislators for $3.5 million in fast cash to be injected into efforts to beef up security on campuses statewide. In the wake of the recent Virginia Tech massacre, new approaches are being considered to secure the campus and its community from similar events.
Recently, local law enforcement officials and county commissioners came together at the South Orlando YMCA for a Community Crime Forum. Led by Commissioner Linda Stewart of District 4, the purpose of the forum was to discuss concerns over neighborhood crime and safety. An open meeting, attended by a number of citizens, the forum dived in to some of the core problems facing Orange county communities, with potential solutions discussed.
In 2004, Governor Jeb Bush signed The Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act into law, authorizing the construction of the Wekiva Parkway and protection of the Wekiva River system. The Wekiva River — downstream from the Little Wekiva River – has also been the focus of federal protection efforts. U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum introduced legislation in 1999 seeking to include the 42-mile-long Wekiva River in the National Wild and Scenic River system.
As the heat of summer approaches, the need to conserve water rises. In anticipation of the potential for stretched water supplies, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners will consider an upcoming proclamation that declares the month of April as Florida’s Water Conservation Month.
Lake County announces the sale of approximately $84 million in capital-improvement revenue bonds. The Series 2007 Bonds will be payable from and secured by the proceeds of the local government half-cent sales tax and received by the County under Chapter 218, Part VI, of Florida Statutes. That half-cent sales tax was voted and approved recently by Lake County citizens.