October 2013 - Access Lakeland

IN THIS ISSUE

Meet Margaret Orozco:Firefighter

City of Lakeland Employees Give Back

Lakeland Municipal Election:November 5

Lakeland Electric Website - New and Improved

228 S. Massachusetts Ave.Lakeland, FL 33801

863.834.6000

www.lakelandgov.net

ANNUAL PRODUCTION

When this popular treat

shows up on the shelves,

you know that Halloween

is coming soon! Did you

know that this candy favorite

has been around since the

1880s? Invented by George

Renninger, an employee

of the Wunderlee Candy

Company, the original candy

was poured by hand. Over 100

years later, the candy's recipe

hasn't changed all that much.

Today, however, automated

manufacturing makes it possible

to create millions of pounds of

the confectionery treat every

year. As you enjoy your spoils

from this year's Trick o' Treating...

remember you're eating a part of

history! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY

HALLOWEEN!

City of Lakeland’sMonthly Newsletter

30290-I-0136

October 2013

9 21x

BILLIO

N

KERNELSPRODUCED EACH YEAR

HALLOWEENACCOUNTSFOR

OTHER HOLIDAYS}

LAID END-TO-ENDTHEY WOULD CIRCLE

THE MOON

1880GEORGE RENNINGERINVENTS CANDY CORN

1898GOELITZ CONFECTIONERY COMPANY BEGINS PRODUCTION(GOELITZ IS NOW CALLED JELLY BELLY CANDY COMPANY)

1900CANDY CORN BECAME SO POPULAR THAT PRODUCTION COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH DEMAND

1970SUGAR CRISIS OF THE MID-70s RESULTED IN THE CLOSING OF MANY CANDY COMPANIES. CANDY CORN SAVED

GOELITZ FROM BANKRUPTCY

75%{ REINDEERCORN

(CHRISTMAS)

CUPIDCORN

(VALENTINE'S)

INDIANCORN

(THANKSGIVING)

Lakeland Electric customers may notice something new the next time they visit www.lakelandelectric.com. They will now find information faster and easier – thanks to a cleaner, modern look that features a stronger focus on customer service.

Lakeland Electric streamlined its website so customers will have a better on-line experience. Customers will find information in less time and fewer clicks with much improved navigation. The City of Lakeland developed the sites using customer feedback and site analytics. Content that had heavy usage was designed to be accessed quickly from the home page making it easier for customers to find exactly what they want.

An internal team with representatives from Lakeland Electric’s Customer Service Division, the Department of Information Technology and the Communications Department developed the new site with 100% of the focus on customers.

“Our customers want more information at their fingertips – whether they are on the go with a mobile device or surfing online at home on a computer,” said Joel Ivy, General Manager of Lakeland Electric. “Our customers increasingly want to do more remotely and the site was developed to be easy to use no matter what kind of device they are using.”

The new site was designed to simplify transactions and customers will be able to enter an enhanced e-Services portal that allows access to all City of Lakeland utility services. Leading the list of improvements on Lakeland Electric’s website is “responsive design” – which allows the screen to adapt to the device the customer is using, whether it’s a laptop, a smart phone or a tablet.

Monthly Comparison ofResidential Electric Rates Source: Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Monthly Utility Bill Comparison • July 2013

www.lakelandelectric.com *per 1,200 kWh usage

E-Services Include:•24-houronlineaccesstopopularservices•On-lineabilityforservicechangesso

customerscanopenanaccountortransferservice

•At-a-glancetabsonthee-ServicesportalsocustomerscanviewtheirCityofLakelandutilityservices

•Interactivegraphssocustomershavetheabilitytoviewconsumptionandenergycostbymonth,dayorthehour

•Linktoe-Billing,whichallowscustomerstoelectronicallyreceivetheirmonthlystatementsandpayonline

•Temperatureandweatherinformation•Side-by-sidebillcomparisons•Personalizedwidgetdashboard(weather,

lastusagereadings,carboncalculator,usageprojection)

•Personalizedservicealerts/reminders

THE NEW AND IMPROVEDL A K E L A N D E L E C T R I C . C O M

With Solar Hot Water Service you get a new solar water heating system with an 80 gallon water heating tank installed and maintained in your home for FREE! Instead of using electricity for water heating you pay just $34.95 a month. Your electricity usage goes down and the solar service fee is fixed and never goes up—even if energy prices rise in the future. Plus, the larger solar tank with electric back-up means your family will always have plenty of hot water. Enrolling your home is quick and easy!

Going green has never been so easy.

Go online or call today!www.solarlakeland.com 863.577.7778

Lakeland Solar Hot Water Service — your smart choice for clean energy!

Sign-up now and receive one month of Solar Hot Water Service—free!

G O V E R N M E N T E M P L O Y E E S A T W O R K

Meet Margaret OrozcoMeet Margaret Orozco, Firefighter Paramedic

who has been a member of the Lakeland Fire Department for 10 years. Orozco said, “I use to do a lot of clerical work but the desire to help people inspired me to become a firefighter. It can be challenging but it is a very rewarding career.” She attended the Orlando Fire Academy and received her Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Standards in 2002. Orozco was hired by the Lakeland Fire Department in 2003 and she received her Paramedic certification in 2007. She is currently working on her Bachelor of Nursing degree at USF.

Orozco is a native of Colombia and she has lived in the United States for the past 15 years. She first moved to Orlando from Bogota, Colombia and firefighting brought her to Lakeland. When asked about what she likes most about her job, she said, “I like the fact that every time I go out on a call it’s different and my career is not driven by bottom line profit, it’s driven by helping others.” Orozco added, “As a firefighter, I usually arrive when someone is experiencing the worst part of their day and I get to help make it better.”

City of Lakeland employees would like to invite you to the 3rd Annual Lakeland Employees Give Back Talent Showcase being held in conjunction with the Downtown Lakeland Partnership’s First Friday event on November 1st. The show, scheduled from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in Munn Park, is free and open to the public as part of the First Friday event.

The Lakeland Employees Give Back Talent Showcase was originally created to serve as a venue for City of Lakeland employees to share their talents with the community. City of Lakeland employees are known for their charitable activities including their annual contributions to the United Way totaling over $1.1 million over the past 10 years. “City of Lakeland employees have a compassion that runs deep because they live, work and play in the community,” said City Manager Doug Thomas. “They see this event as another opportunity to give back to the community.”

Each participating act contains at least one City of Lakeland employee, a family member of an employee or a City of Lakeland retiree. Acts will be judged and winners will be selected for both a

Orozco is small in stature but she has a very big heart and she likes giving back to the community outside of fighting fires. She is heavily involved in the Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida and she assists the group during Camp Tequesta that takes place in Umatilla. “Every year the Burn Foundation puts on a camp for children who are burn victims and they come from all over the state for a four day camp. I act as a mentor and work with the kids during camp,” Orozco said. “The camp is a great place for the kids to make friends with people who have similar experiences and it helps with the mental healing process.” Because of her work with Camp Tequesta, Orozco was chosen by the International Association of Fire Fighters to assist in their international burn victim camp in Washington, DC.

Orozco said her favorite meal is Bandeja Paisa which is a traditional Colombian dish comprised of white rice, red beans, plantains, ground beef, a corn patty and fried pork skin garnished with avocado slices. However, she quickly said, “Sushi and Tai food are tied for a very close second.” She enjoys running

Judge’s Choice Award and a People’s Choice Award. Attendees will have a chance to vote for their talent choice by donating $1 per ballot. All monies raised from the People’s Choice Award will be donated to the local United Way.

First Friday is one of the most popular recurring events that takes place in downtown Lakeland. Every month, on the first Friday of the month (hence the name), people from all over the community converge in Downtown Lakeland for an evening of FREE family friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and, of course, the chance to check out a great, locally-owned restaurant or retail establishment. The City of Lakeland is proud to partner with First Friday for the Employees Give Back Talent Showcase and we hope to see you downtown on Friday, November 1st.

and going to the beach when she is not working at the Lakeland Fire Department. She said, “The longest I’ve run in a race is 15K a few years ago but I plan to run in the upcoming Red Ribbon Half Marathon in November.” Orozco makes an annual pilgrimage to the mountains each year to go snowboarding and she said Vail, Colorado is her favorite spot. Orozco enjoys reading suspense thrillers - she lists her favorite authors as Dean Koontz and Robin Cook. Her favorite color is royal blue and her favorite television show is Criminal Minds.

It is evident that Orozco truly enjoys her job and when asked about one of her most memorable moments she said, “I’ll always remember the day during my rookie year that a citizen came back to the fire station and personally thanked us months after we assisted her during her time of need. My calling is to help others and it is very rewarding when people come up to me in when I’m in uniform and thank me for what I do.”

like \''līk\ vb: to be suitable or agreeable to. www.facebook .com/c i ty o f lake land LIKE US ON

Going green has never been so easy.

Polk County’s First & Only Half Marathon!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Start Times: 7 a.m. Half Marathon | 8 a.m. Fun RunThe Red Ribbon Half Marathon & Fun Run is a family weekend where parents can compete in the Half Marathon and K-8th grade students can take part in a Kid’s Fun Run, which will loop around Lake Mirror. Free registration for K-8th graders includes a commemorative Run t-shirt! Festivities also include the Kids’ Health & Wellness Carnival on Friday evening, November 8, 2013 at LEGOLAND Florida. Register Online Today to get the best price for the Red Ribbon Half Marathon! Prices increase as the event draws closer.

Please visit our official event web site at:www.redribbonhalf.com

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf

Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RedRibbonHalf

For Information, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777

LAK E LAND EMP L OY E E S G I V E BACK

TA L E N T SHOWCAS ENOVEMBER 1 • 7-9PM | MUNN PARK (PART OF FIRST FRIDAY)

Guest EmceeJenniferHolloway

CITY OF LAKELANDMUNICIPAL ELECTION2013

L O G O N . T U N E I N . G E T C O N N E C T E D .www.lakelandgov.net

STAYCONNECTED

ONLINE

www.lakelandgov.net

IN PERSONCity Hall is open

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Monday-Friday

PUBLIC MEETINGSCity Commission and

Utility Committee meetings occur the first and third Monday of

every month. The public is invited to attend or watch live on

Channel 615 (Brighthouse) or

Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS)

CITY COMMISSION9:00 a.m.

UTILITY COMMITTEE1:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT NUMBERSCity Hall

863.834.6000

Lakeland Electric Customer Service

863.834.9535

Power or Water Outages863.834.4248

Stormwater Hotline863.834.3300

PAYING YOURUTILITY BILL

ONLINEwww.lakelandelectric.com

BY PHONE863.834.9535

IN PERSONLakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses

including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.

CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED For The Observance of Veterans DayMonday, November 11NO SOLID WASTE COLLECTION CHANGE

Thanksgiving:Thursday, November 28Friday, November 29NO SOLID WASTE COLLECTION ON 11/28.COLLECTION WILL BE ONE DAY LATER FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.

CelebrationVETERANSDAY

Saturday, November 9, 2013ºMemorial Ceremony at

Veterans Park • 10AMºParade to Munn ParkºVeterans Day Festival

in the Park

LAKELAND ECONOMY

CONTINUES TO GROWIn December of 2012, Forbes Magazine listed the Lakeland MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) in the top 15 areas in the nation for job growth in 2013. The national employment survey completed by the Manpower Group stated that the Lakeland MSA is estimated to increase job growth by 14%. Recently, Draken International announced expansion and SteriPack announced that its new US facility would be in Lakeland. These two companies represent some of the latest industries to call Lakeland "home."

In April of 2013, Draken International signed a 10-year lease to occupy 90,000 square feet of hanger space adjacent to the 30,000 square feet that they already occupied at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. As part of this expansion, Draken International will create 55 new jobs paying an average wage greater than 115% of Polk County’s annual average. Draken will also invest nearly $6.7 million over the next three years as it expands its headquarters and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations (MRO) in Lakeland. Draken International provides airborne adversary support, flight training, threat simulation and electronic warfare support for the U.S. Military and Department of Defense as well as maintenance services and research into new technologies for the industry. With over 50 jets, Draken International operates the largest fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft in the world.

SteriPack, a leading manufacturer of flexible medical packaging has selected Lakeland for their first U.S. operation. Located within Lakeland’s Parkway Corporate Center, SteriPack plans to hire 65 new employees paying an average wage greater than 115% of the average annual wage in Polk County. Their $7 million dollar capital investment will afford them room for future growth as their operation supports additional contract packaging and manufacturing opportunities. With plants in Ireland, Poland and Malaysia, Steripack considered several other locations in the U.S. before eventually choosing Lakeland for its experienced labor pool and existing medical device companies. As of June of 2013, SteriPack had already hired 30 full-time employees.

Draken International

SteriPack

GET OUTAND

VOTE!General Election

Runoff Election

NOVEMBER 5

DECEMBER 3

OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 2, 2013at the Lakeland Branch Courthouse and Supervisor of Elections Headquarters,

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sat 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING