June 2013 Access Lakeland

30290-I-0132

City of Lakeland’s Monthly Newsletter

June 2013

Lakeland Electric Celebrates Power Academy Graduates

Book A Venue Now for 2014

Meet Jason Willey: Economic Development Coordinator

Friends of the Library

228 S. Massachusetts Ave Lakeland, FL 33801 863.834.6000 www.lakelandgov.net

PROUD TO BE

FREE

A live concert featuring Sam Bullock and the Soul Alliance will entertain the crowd. This multi-piece R&B Band comprised of a tight rhythm section, horns and back-up singers play music that includes hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and the ‘90s, done with a big band swag. They also play hit music from Broadway, some Jazz, and newer pop to round out their repertoire. The lead singer, Sam Bullock has been influenced by singers such as Michael Bublé, Paul Davis, Peabo Bryson, Brian McKnight, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and Prince. He also names the Eagles and Journey as huge influences. The Soul Alliance has a commanding stage presence with the goal to have fun and get the crowd energized as they show the audience that they truly are masters of their craft.

Tom Mims, President of T. Mims Corporation said, “We are very excited to sponsor Red, White & Kaboom again this year. It is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together in celebration of our great country and it is free to the public." Mims added, "We will be continuing our Chow for Now canned food drive to benefit Volunteers in Service to the Elderly so we want each spectator to bring at least one can of food for VISTE." There will be Chow for Now volunteers with grocery carts circulating through the park collecting canned goods.

Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) is a community-based, non-profit organization serving Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Ft. Meade. Established in 1983, the primary goal of VISTE is to enable frail elderly persons to continue living independently and safely in their own home.

During Red, White & Kaboom there will be a variety of food and drink vendors around Lake Mirror so bring a blanket and enjoy the festivities in celebrating our great nation. The event will conclude with a dramatic display of fireworks over the lake. The evening is free to the public and everyone attending is encouraged to bring at least one food item to benefit Chow for Now. All City parking garages will be open for T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom.

T. M IMS C

IN THIS ISSUE

The City of Lakeland is pleased to announce that the T.Mims Corp.

Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place with live music at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on Wednesday, July 3rd from 6:00 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a breathtaking fireworks display dazzling the crowd at 9 p.m.

P. OR

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 • 6PM • LAKE MIRROR PLEASE BRING ONE CANNED FOOD ITEM PER PERSON. ALL DONATIONS WILL BENEFIT VISTE

Monthly Comparison of Residential Electric Rates

Source: Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Monthly Utility Bill Comparison • March 2013

www.lakelandelectric.com

GET INTO ENERGY AND EMPOWER YOUR FUTURE

*per 1,200 kWh usage

Lakeland Electric is a proud partner with the Polk County School Board in creating the Power Academy and Energy Academy Programs. These programs help students get the educational instruction, institutional knowledge and industry certifications that will prepare them to compete for jobs in the power industry.

The Lakeland Energy Academy program is located within Traviss Career Center and it is modeled after the very successful Power Academy at Tenoroc High School that was established in 2008. Since then 72 students have graduated from the Power Academy and nine of those students have jobs in the power industry.

The program at Traviss Career Center started for the 2012/2013 school year. Lakeland Electric worked with administrators and instructors at Traviss Career Center to implement the program.

Over 30 students from Kathleen, George Jenkins, Bartow, Mulberry, Lake Gibson and Fort Meade high schools were enrolled during the first year of the program at Traviss Career Center.

The curriculum used at both academies was developed by the Florida Energy Workforce Consortium and is endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. Classroom activity includes basic safety, construction math, classes on electricity, hands-on instruction with power tools, hydraulics and pneumatics course work, hazardous materials instruction and a number of workshops that bring all of the elements together in a project. This year, the students at the Power Academy built a working hovercraft as one of their projects.

Students throughout Polk County who are interested in energy careers have the opportunity to participate in the Power and Energy Academy Programs. In addition to these secondary programs, Lakeland Electric is partnering with Lake Gibson Middle School to offer a Pre-Power Academy August, 2013. Lakeland Electric anticipates career opportunities becoming available for students graduating from high school during the next several years due to employee retirements.

The Power and Energy Academy programs help students develop the necessary technical and employability skills required for careers at Lakeland Electric or for any other electric company in the world. The high school programs are open to all Polk County students grades 9-12.

The Power Academy serves students in the Tenoroc school district and those with their own transportation. Bus transportation is available from many Polk County schools to the Energy Academy at Traviss Career Center.

For more information regarding the Power Academy Programs, please visit www. lakelandelectric.com and click on the “Careers & Education” tab in the navigation bar at the top of the page or contact the instructor via e-mail at gary.kiger@polk-fl.net regarding the Power Academy at Tenoroc High School or Christopher.hallock@polk-fl.net regarding the Energy Academy at Traviss Career Center. For information about the Pre-Power Academy at LGMS, contact MaryJo Costine at 863-853-6151. Applications are available at www.polkacademies.com.

2013 POWER ACADEMY TENoROC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

...or some other place

edding bells will begin ringing this month with increasing frequency. June, the world over, is the time of year when the most couples tie the knot. If you are looking for help finding that perfect spot to exchange vows, the City of Lakeland’s Park and Recreation Department might be able to offer the help that you need.

Although it is too late to book a wedding for June of this year, if you are thinking about next June, you might just be in luck. Parks and Recreation has several popular venues for you to consider hosting anything from a small family gathering to an enormous event that will rival a Kardashian.

Some of the more popular venues for weddings and receptions include: Hollis Garden, Kryger Park, Magnolia Building, Peggy Brown Building, Lake Mirror Auditorium, Cleveland Heights Golf Course and Coleman Bush Building. For your special day, if your guest list is putting a strain on your local chapel, you can also consider Hangar #2 at Tigertown. This venue is large enough to hold 800 guests!

Parks and Recreation is now accepting reservations through the end of 2014. The Magnolia Building, the most popular indoor venue accommodates up to 230 people in a banquet-style layout. The Peggy Brown Building is also a favorite, accommodating up to 130 people for a banquet.

Beth Sherling, Facility Coordinator, says “It is recommended for people with a specific special Saturday date in mind to reserve 12-18 months in advance in those facilities. We do have a few Saturdays currently available between now and the Summer of 2014.”

According to Sherling, “Our facilities are great because we have staff available throughout each event. They are on hand to assist with table and chairs, take out the trash and replenish supplies in the restrooms as needed. Renters are also able to use whatever catering service they choose — They are not limited by a preferred vendor list. We also have chairs and tables available for renters to use and our staff will set them up and break them down according to the floor plan provided by the customer.”

Rental venue info can be found on the City’s website: www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec and click on the champagne glass icon.

So, go ahead… pop-the-question and get planning!

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LIKE US ON

G OV E R N M E N T E M P L OY E E S AT WO R K

Meet Jason Willey Jason Willey is the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Lakeland. He is going on his 13th year as a City of Lakeland employee.

He plays an integral role assisting new businesses looking to expand or relocate their operations to Lakeland. When asked to describe his job,Willey said, “I work with the County and the State in acquiring financial tax incentives for businesses. Also, I help navigate the process of City permitting and work with the regulatory agencies so businesses have a smooth transition when they build new facilities or relocate to Lakeland.”

He said, “We try to make it a one stop shop for business development.” There are criteria and preferred business models that the City is trying to attract. There is a focus on large utility users, organizations that hire a large number of employees and high skill/high wage employers that benefit the community.

Willey said, “I have most recently worked with Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. in assisting them with their new plant operations as they were exploring possible locations.” He added, “They ultimately chose Lakeland as the location for their new plant and they will be one of Lakeland Electric’s largest users when they are in full production.” Willey has

also been instrumental in working with O’Reilly Autoparts, which just began construction on their new 400,000 square foot distribution facility which will add 500 new jobs in Lakeland.

He is now working with Colo5, a 105,000 square foot data center bringing their high skill/high wage operation to Lakeland and the Brew Hub as they prepare to begin construction on their Lakeland facility, which will be the first of five planned national locations. He said, “Many people may not understand that there is a great deal of work that goes into bringing a company to an area.” Willey added, “Right now I’m assisting two new franchise restaurants with their first Lakeland locations and there is another microbrewery restaurant concept with plans to redevelop a site on Lake Mirror in downtown Lakeland.”

Willey graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Public Administration and received his MBA from Webster University. He is married to his wife, Devy and they have two children, Spencer and Charlotte. When asked about his favorite movie, he said that’s a good question but probably Forest Gump or It’s a Wonderful Life. Willey said his favorite food is anything at Chipotle with a burrito being his first choice. His favorite color

is blue and he enjoys running. He said, “I recently started running because my nine-year-old runs and I am trying to keep pace with him. Willey first got interested in municipal government because of his grandfather who was a longtime City of Lakeland official serving as Mayor and City Commissioner.

Willey said, “A lot of what I do is behind the scenes and it’s really hard to explain but I provide support and guidance to companies and work with them when they are trying to decide on where to build their operations. We try to convince a company on why Lakeland should be their first choice and each project is different; that’s what makes my job so interesting.”

DO YOU KNOW WHERE CLIPPINGS SHOULD GO? Sweep them back onto your lawn

EVERY TIME you mow!

POLLUTION HOTLINE 863.834.3300

STAY CONNECTED

Every Library Needs Friends

ONLINE www.lakelandgov.net

eLIBRARY

4740 S. FLORIDA AVE

What do you call a group of community members who value the area libraries and who volunteer their time to help promote and enhance services? They are known as “Friends of the Library”. The Lakeland Public Library and the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library are fortunate to have the support of The Friends of the Library of Lakeland, Inc. The non-profit organization supports Lakeland libraries in many ways including raising money through the sale of donated materials and donating thousands of hours each year.

“Friends’ members believe in the importance of the public library and the role it plays in a community,” said Bonnie Rowbotham, current Friends of the Library President.

“We are able to function so much more efficiently with their help,” said City Librarian Lisa Lilyquist. “They make up a large percentage of our volunteers. The hours they dedicate to our libraries equates to about 3-5 full-time staff members,” she added.

Along with advocating for adequate funding of Lakeland libraries, the group directly supports ongoing book sales, leads book discussions, coordinates cultural performances and children’s programs, brings in authors and musicians during the summer, and offers a reader’s advisory magazine and much more. It is with the help of the Friends of the Libraries of Lakeland, Inc. that the City of Lakeland’s public libraries have been outfitted with new equipment, furniture and public art.

Projects The Friends of the Library of Lakeland, Inc. contributed to: • $50,000 towards the new furniture that was installed on the public service floor at the Main Library.

• $25,000 to furnish the Training and Tutor Rooms as well as new DVD shelving for the renovation project at the Main Library (2011) • Over $15,000 in donations for new computer furniture for the Children's Area at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library (2008/2009) • A Nursery Rhyme mural at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library (2008/2009) • Murals walls were added to the Youth Services Rooms of the Main Library when they were expanded and renovated (2006) • Funded the Main Library's Swan Sign at the corner of Palmetto Street and Lake Morton Drive. (2004) Every library needs friends. To learn more about the Friends of the Library program and find out how you can become a volunteer, visit lakelandgov.net/library.

LAKELAND PUBLIC LIBRARIES: MAIN LIBRARY • 100 LAKE MORTON DR. • 863.834.4280 LARRY R. JACKSON BRANCH • 1700 N. FLORIDA AVE. • 863.823.4288 eLIBRARY • 4740 S. FLORIDA AVE. 863.838.4507

IN PERSON City Hall is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday PUBLIC MEETINGS City 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 COMMISSION 9:00 a.m.

UTILITY COMMITTEE 1:00 p.m.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS City Hall 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages 863.834.4248 Stormwater Hotline 863.834.3300 PAYING YOUR UTILITY BILL ONLINE www.lakelandelectric.com

BY PHONE 863.834.9535 IN PERSON Lakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.