MAYOR DEMINGS' DIGEST
Greetings!
July is shaping up to be a busy month as more and more of us are fully vaccinated and able to travel. With our many attractions and school-age children still on vacation, Orange County is quickly rebounding as a popular destination for families from around the country.
There is no doubt we have much to be grateful for. In addition to the 245th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, local families will once again be getting together for 4th of July backyard barbecues, reunions, fireworks and other celebrations — something we all missed during the pandemic.
As of the beginning of this month, nearly 58 percent of Orange County residents have received one or more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 90 percent of residents ages 65 and older have been vaccinated with at least one dose, which is outstanding. We want to see the same kind of numbers for our younger residents. So, we are urging parents to inoculate their minor children 12-17 years of age before school starts in August.
Please help us stop the spread of the coronavirus so everyone can continue to enjoy the freedoms our great nation was founded upon.
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May you have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday,
Jerry L. Demings
Orange County Mayor
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P.S. If you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, you can add the “I Got My Shot” Facebook frame to your Facebook profile photo. Visit www.ocfl.net/IGotMyShot for details on how to add it to your profile.
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Other Orange County News:
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July 2021
July is Parks and Recreation Month! Parks are at the center of so many experiences and memories — moments that park and recreation professionals help make happen. Visit ocfl.net/Parks to find an Orange County Park location near you.
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Now until July 30
The Hispanic Heritage Committee is holding an open call for artists to participate in its annual #HispanicHeritageMonth Art Exhibit. The deadline to submit artwork is on Saturday, July 31, 2021. Adult and youth artists are encouraged to apply at bit.ly/HHCArt2021.
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July 2, 2021
Orange County is bursting with exciting ways to make your Independence Day crackle — and this summer, Visit Orlando has a list of blockbuster celebrations that will rocket your family to a whole new level of fun. For more information, check out Visit Orlando’s Fourth of July Online Guide.
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July 14, 2021
Orange County’s MLK Initiative has completed its May book from its Book Club — Dear Martin by Nic Stone. A new book is introduced on the second Wednesday of every month. The next book will be announced on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, on the Initiative’s webpage.
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July 17, 2021 and July 24, 2021
Orange County Government is partnering with the Orlando Chapter of The Links, Incorporated to offer COVID-19 vaccines to ensure underserved neighborhoods have equal acess to the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to providing vaccines, events will feature food distribution and other giveaways while supplies last.
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Orange County is well into the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Residents are urged to review all personal preparedness and recovery information before a storm hits, including how to build an emergency preparedness kit, generator safety and proper tree trimming.
Residents can learn about these topics and more by visiting ocfl.net/storm to review the County’s Hurricane Safety Guide and other important storm-related information.
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BARNETT PARK: COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AND TESTING EXTENDED |
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COVID-19 VACCINES: Individuals may select either Pfizer or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For more information, visit ocfl.net/VaccineSites.
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COVID-19 TESTING: Individuals may select only one type of test — Molecular PCR or Rapid Antigen — per day. For more information, visit ocfl.net/Testing, and click on #1 on the map.
Those interested in a COVID-19 test or vaccination are urged to arrive early to ensure they can be accommodated in case the site closes early due to severe weather.
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VISION 2050: JULY MEETINGS |
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There is still time to help guide the growth of your community by participating in the Vision 2050 initiative.
Planning for the future requires input from the entire community. To get started, take our surveys or plan to attend the complete series of upcoming virtual town hall meetings in July, during which staff will discuss the Countywide development code and public feedback.
For questions about the surveys, town halls or the registration process, please contact the County’s Planning Division staff at 407-836-5600 or at planning@ocfl.net. Residents can visit ocfl.net/Vision2050 to watch previously recorded town hall meetings in their area.
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DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT: ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT 5 |
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Orange County is home to six districts that each has a distinct personality when it comes to history, natural beauty, parks and recreation options, resident diversity and business opportunities. District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla gave us her Top 5 things to know about her district:
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Congratulations to Orange County Government employees Shally Wong and Amanda Kimmer for recently being recognized by U.S. House Representative Darren Soto for their community involvement and personal achievements. Shally Wong (right) was recognized in May for her work with Central Florida’s Asian-American community, and Amanda Kimmer (left) was recognized in June for her achievements in Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community. |
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Innovation. Collaboration. Inclusion.
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