MAYOR DEMINGS' DIGEST
Greetings,
It is hard to believe February is here already. Last month flew by with so much going on around the County, including the unveiling of the new art sculptures for 2022 on the lawn at the Orange County Administration Center. The new large-scale sculptures were created by artists from around the world and provide an opportunity for our residents and visitors to view world-class art for free. Please come by and have a closer look.
In the month of February, we honor Black History. Our MLK Initiative is planning community collaborations and digital experiences so everyone can celebrate this important month. I created the MLK Initiative to bring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message of service to all of Orange County to commemorate his work and legacy for years to come.
We also will be out in the community to talk about our transportation initiative. Right now, Central Florida commuters spend an average of 57 hours a year in traffic, and I am proposing a penny sales tax to make our future transportation options viable, economical, eco-friendly and time efficient. There will be a series of “Open Houses” for our residents starting in late February to share this vision for the future of transportation and how it will benefit the entire community.
As this month begins, I am encouraged by the positive trends we are seeing with the COVID-19 pandemic. While the numbers are still very high compared to where we were in the fall, we are seeing decreases in the positivity rates and hospitalizations. We must remain vigilant in the battle with this virus. I continue to encourage everyone eligible to get a vaccine and wear a mask indoors. As you may be aware, I tested positive for the virus last month, and the fact I was fully vaccinated and boosted helped me get through it with relatively mild symptoms. Remember, vaccines are free and readily available.
I wish everyone the very best!
Sincerely,
