City of Orlando News - July 29, 2022

Government and Politics

July 30, 2022

From: City of Orlando

Wave those city flags, the City of Orlando was incorporated in 1875 and this weekend we are celebrating 147 years. Although government may have you thinking about ordinances, taxes and politics, remember it also brought roads, services and the joy of this newsletter. So, if you’re out and about this weekend and at a city park, scream out “Happy Birthday!”

Welcome to the City Family, Chief Salazar!

This week, Mayor Dyer swore in Orlando Fire Chief Charlie Salazar as the 21st Orlando Fire Chief during the time-honored Change of Command ceremony held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Chief Salazar was sworn in and then presented with a Chief’s helmet and badge before he addressed the crowd. Mayor Dyer also recognized Deputy Fire Chief Craig Buckley for his time serving as Interim Fire Chief.

Prior to coming to Orlando, Chief Salazar served as the Executive Deputy Chief of the city of Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, where he helped lead more than 2,000 personnel. He began firefighting nearly 29 years ago as a Firefighter Paramedic for Dallas Fire-Rescue and worked his way through the ranks, serving a population of more than 1.3 million residents. His mission in Dallas focused on fire suppression, emergency medical services, and fostering community relationships.

View the ceremony on Facebook

Spoken from the Heart

Last week, 50 My Brother's Keeper (MBK) students used their voices to share their life experiences through spoken word poetry, showcasing their creative expression and putting to use the public speaking skills they’ve learned through programming with MBK.

In 2014, the city joined the national My Brother's Keeper Alliance initiative and since then the Orlando program has been engaged in targeted efforts to improve life outcomes that help ensure that all young men reach their full potential.

View and enjoy the spoken word poetry of our youth

Corrine Drive is Getting Some Flashing Lights

Today, Mayor Dyer and District 3 City Commissioner Robert F. Stuart worked along with city staff and contractors to help with the installation of the latest pedestrian safety improvement project in Orlando. The installation is a mid-block hybrid beacon crosswalk, the first of its kind here in the city, will be located on Corrine Drive in the Audubon Garden Main Street District.

The new signalized crosswalk will help residents and visitors to the area cross the roadway safely and more easily. With plans for decorative markings, curb extensions and the addition of a new pedestrian refuge island, the project helps further support the city’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.

View photos of the installation

Summer Internships Make an Impact

This summer, the City of Orlando partnered with sponsors and local businesses to provide a five-week, paid, summer internship for high school students. With internships coming to an end, program participants came together to thank our partners and hear how this program impacted their lives this summer.

Over seven hundred teenagers were enrolled in the federally funded summer jobs program. Students worked at job sites throughout the city, including Blue Swan Boulder, Boss Up Event Center, Bronze Kingdom, Ideas For Us, Orlando Day Nursery and various City of Orlando departments. Students also took part in an orientation process where they learned soft skills such as work etiquette and financial literacy.

If you, or a local business or organization you know, would like to get involved, visit orlando.gov or contact Bambi McDougald at [email protected] to learn more.

We know many people can only satisfy their ravenous food cravings by appealing to both their salt and sweet tooth. You know what we mean… fries in that frosty, fried chicken on those syrupy waffles, chocolate covered pretzels… and now, barbeque and donuts.

Smoke & Donuts was born when husband Ian Russell wanted to take a risk and start a BBQ pop-up and wife Juliana Peña wanted the same, but with donuts. After going back and forth about which to pursue, the couple said to themselves, “Why not do both?” Now, after years of serving at pop-ups and running a food truck, Ian and Juliana are both seeing their dreams come to life as Smoke & Donuts prepares to move into their brick-and-mortar location in The Milk District.

While Smoke & Donuts does have its own cult following keeping the couple busy, Ian and Juliana knew that moving operations from a food truck to a building was not a risk to take lightly. To offset the costs of opening the business, the couple applied for the City of Orlando’s Small Business Façade, Site Improvement and Adaptive Reuse Program to help with the cost of several improvements, from new landscaping to ADA improvements to the site.

We’re happy to report that Smoke & Donuts is in the final stretch of their renovation and looks to open to the public within the next few months. Check out their website at smokeanddonuts.com, or do a quick drive-by to admire their new location at 601 North Primrose Avenue.

Other Things You Should Know

We’re still looking for art submissions for our Hispanic Heritage Month art display

Check out the National Night Out list of events

Discover Downtown has a back-to-school sale, you could get 25% off

Now Hiring

New Job Openings

City Clerk Aide – Executive Offices

Fire Public Information Manager – Fire Department

Nature Program Specialist – Families, Parks and Recreatio

Sustainability Project Coordinator – McQuigg Gardens – Sustainability and Resilience

Follow City of Orlando Careers on Facebook and LinkedIn.

View all jobs