April 2015 - Access Lakeland

Feng Shui

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LOCATION MATTERS THIS SPRING TREE PLANTING SUGGESTIONS

SWAN FEEDERS

INSTALLED ON LAKE MORTON

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

SAMANTHA DREW OPERATIONS SUPPORT TECH I

CELEBRATE PUBLIC WORKS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 1

N O M LE REET ST ULPTURE SC HIBIT EX

Downtown Lakeland is now home to 10 new sculptures that are part of the 15th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sebring are participating with each community displaying 10 new pieces of art. In Lakeland, the sculptures are displayed along Lemon Street between Massachusetts and South Florida Avenue. The annual exhibit features the work of artists from across the globe and will remain in place until February 2016. We are also excited that this year’s exhibit features Lakeland Artist Bob Dorsey and his entry “Self Portrait as Armadillo”. The title of each piece and its creator is listed below.

Around the Gate • Ray Katz, Pontiac, MI Summer & Spring • Hanna Jubran, Grimesland, NC Self Portrait as Armadillo • Bob Dorsey, Lakeland, FL Connectarc • Carl Billingsley, Ayden, NC Tree • Adam Walls, Hope Mills, NC Delilah • Joni Younkins-Herzog, Sarasota, FL Gran-ANT • C.R. Gray, Key West, FL Trike • James Westermann, Morrisville, VT Yellow Tail • Roger Halligan, Chattanooga, TN Winged Glory • Jack Howard-Potter, New York, NY u The sculptures are selected by a committee comprised of community members and Polk Museum of Art staff.

For the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, the sculptures are displayed for one year in downtown Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sebring. An independent judge selects the Best of Show, Second Place and Honorable Mention awards for the pieces of art. The “People’s Choice” award is selected at the annual April First Friday event. Winning entries are tagged with a moniker above each of their name plaques. We hope you will visit these beautiful pieces of art the next time you are in Downtown.

CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

APRIL 2015

www.lakelandelectric.com

Newsletter Ad_April 2015_Print Ready.pdf

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Are you planning for some new trees and shrubs this spring? To make sure your new tree will provide trouble-free beauty and long-term enjoyment, the location of overhead and underground utility lines is an important consideration: • A mature tree will require a large area for the canopy and for the roots.

• Tall trees planted near power lines will eventually interfere with the power lines.

• Trees near the power lines can become hazardous and disrupt your electric service.

• Trees, vines and shrubs that block access to easements and utility poles can create a safety hazard to our utility employees and delay service restoration.

Choosing the right tree for the right place is an easy task for the staff of professional arborists at Lakeland Electric. We will gladly assist you with helpful information.

As a reminder, you should not attempt to trim or remove vegetation growing near any over head power lines or utility equipment. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 863.834.9535.

There is no charge for any of these services.

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Swan Feed Dispensers Installed at Lake Morton

Those walking around Lake Morton will see a few new additions to the landscape because the City of Lakeland has installed two swan feed dispensers to help promote a healthier diet for Lakeland’s swan population. The swan feed dispensers will be coin operated and the bubblegum type machines will vend veterinarian approved swan feed. One is located on the north side of the lake in front of the Chamber of Commerce and the other on the south side of the lake near Success Avenue.

Members from the Parks & Recreation Department who take care of the swans recently visited Lowry Park Zoo to see what type of dispensers they use to distribute animal food and similar types of vending machines were purchased for Lake Morton. The new feeders will dispense a handful of swan food for a quarter. Proceeds from the feeders will be used to offset the annual cost for swan food, healthcare and upkeep.

It costs about $10,000 a year to feed Lakeland’s domestic swans. Lakeland’s flock was started when Queen Elizabeth of England donated a pair swans to the City. The two mute swans were released on Lake Morton on February 9, 1957.

CITY OF LAKELAND EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

SAMANTHA DREW “THE SWAN LADY” Meet Samantha Drew, the “Swan Lady” of the City of Lakeland.

This May, Drew will celebrate 10 years of employment with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department as an Operations Support Tech I. Drew recalls when she first started with the City, she was the only female on her crew so she felt she needed to prove herself. The crew was working at Lake Wire and there was a swan that needed to be captured. Drew dove right in the lake not noticing an alligator just 10 feet away. Fortunately, Drew got the swan and the alligator kept his distance. From that point on, Drew says she “fit right in and now I love the comradery we all share. There is a strong brother, sister relationship among us.”

Assigned to Lake Morton, Drew is responsible for lawn maintenance and landscaping. Her favorite responsibility though is caring for Lakeland’s swans. Currently, there are 70 swans at Lake Morton that are lovingly cared for by Drew. Not only is she responsible for these magnificent creatures Monday through Friday, she is on call 24/7 for them. Drew says the citizens of Lakeland are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the swans. Should one appear injured, or sadly have been hit by a car, Drew is ready to drop her plans and tend to the swan. She believes it takes someone with a real heart for animals to do this job so well. She has been known to care for them at her home, feeding them and even bathing them in her bathtub. Drew wants people to know that swans are not mean. They just assume you are there to feed them, that is why they approach you. She notes that when they are nesting, they do become more protective of their eggs

so it is best to not disturb them.

The City does install security cameras, erect warning signs and cordon off the nests during this time to help ensure the safety of the swans and their young. Also, while the swans do love bread, it is not the best thing for them. They enjoy lettuce, unsalted crackers and unsweetened cereal. Drew has been offered other opportunities within the Parks and Recreation Department, but she cannot imagine not caring for her beloved swans.

Drew hails from Norfolk, Virginia. A Navy brat, Drew has lived all over the United States, her favorite place being Hawaii. She still wishes she lived right across from the beach where she used to go every day. 24 years ago, her father’s career brought the family to Lakeland and she has been here ever since. Drew shares her home with her two daughters, Kayla and Kimberly, her one year old granddaughter Elizabeth, two dogs Bella and Shyla and Baby, the cat. Drew loves a good steak for dinner, but like any true Italian, she loves pasta. Her favorite restaurant is Olive Garden and says, “Their shrimp and scallop alfredo is the bomb!” In her spare time, Drew loves to roller skate and visit theme parks, Busch Gardens being her favorite. She enjoys writing poetry, shopping and playing in the dirt when gardening. Her favorite music? There is no favorite. From Country to Rock, R&B to Classical, Drew listens to it all.

Her favorite movie is The Notebook, but she loves a good comedy or a horror flick.

Thank you Samantha Drew for taking such great care of the City of Lakeland swans!

VOLUNTEERS: WE THANK YOU!

CELEBRATE PUBLIC WORKS WEEK CHECK OUT ALL THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS TO OFFER IN MUNN PARK ON FRIDAY, MAY 1.

The City of Lakeland Public Works Department will celebrate National Public Works Week on Friday, May 1st from 6PM – 9PM in Munn Park as a part of the First Friday Celebration. During the event, staff will be on hand to showcase information about each division, explain education programs and demonstrate the use of a variety of equipment. There will also be give-a-ways, games and lots of fun activities.

This year’s theme “Community Begins Here” speaks to the essential nature of Public Works services in support of everyday quality of life. There would be no community without the quality of life public works provides. The services that Public Works provides allows the world as we know it to exist.

The City of Lakeland’s Public Works Department consists of seven divisions and 265 full-time employees. The seven divisions include Engineering, Construction & Maintenance, Traffic Operations & Parking Services, Lakes & Stormwater, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet Management and Solid Waste. The fiscal year 2015 budget for the Public Works Department is just under $53 million. Public Works also oversees a capital improvement plan budget of more than $12 million. The City’s Public Works Department is pursuing accreditation through the American Public Works Association (APWA). APWA manages an official accreditation program that assesses a public works agency’s practices with regulatory directives, effectiveness in daily operations, administrative efficiency and regulation, continuous improvement, performance measurement and a variety of other considerations.

On Monday, May 18th the Lakeland City Commission will issue a proclamation, where Public Works employees from each Public Works division will be recognized. Please visit lakelandgov.net for more information.

June 15 - August 7 REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 11 Are you looking for an exciting, funfilled and power-packed enrichment program for your child during the summer? Then look no further – Camp BLAST is your answer!

Camp BLAST is the highly successful summer recreation program for kids located at City recreation facilities and various schools throughout Lakeland.

Children who have completed grades K – 5 are eligible for the program and parents must verify the child’s grade with a copy of their most recent report card.

Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar for these dates!

Camp BLAST

Jun 15 - Aug 7, 2015 (8 weeks) Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm www.lakelandgov.net

In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing National Volunteer Week, a weeklong celebration and recognition of volunteers in the month of April. U.S. presidents have continued the tradition since then. Even local governments have followed suit by issuing proclamations in their respective communities.

This year, National Volunteer Week is April 12-18. The theme is: Celebrate Service. It presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

Volunteers play an integral part in the services the City of Lakeland provides to its citizens. That is why in 2009 the City formed its Volunteers in Public Service (VIPs) program.

Many of our volunteers dedicate their time all year long. They help to clean our lakes, coach athletic teams, maintain our nursery, sit on governing boards and committees and help out in our libraries among other things.

We salute volunteers around the nation and celebrate their service close to home!

UPCOMING EVENTS Public Works Night • In Conjunction with First Friday May 1 • 6PM – 9PM • Munn Park

MIDFLORIDA Mayfaire by-the-Lake 2015 May 9 & 10 • 9AM – 4PM • Lake Morton

Music on the Promenade featuring Harrison School of the Arts May 15 • 6PM – 9PM • Lake Mirror

Cyclemania 2015

May 30 • 9AM – 12PM • Munn Park

STAY CONNECTED

Online | www.lakelandgov.net ­ In Person | City Hall • 8AM – 5PM • Monday-Friday facebook.com/cityoflakelandfl | twitter.com/lakelandgov | youtube.com/cityoflakelandfl | instagram: cityoflakelandfl Listen Lakeland • First Sunday • FM 97.5 WPCV @ 8:30AM | FM 98.3 WWRZ @ 8AM | AM 1430 WLKF @ 8AM | AM 1230 WONN @ 9AM Public Meetings | City Commission Meetings • First and Third Monday • 9AM | Utility Committee Meetings • First Monday • 1PM Live Broadcast on LGN | Channel 643 (Brighthouse) | Channel 43 (Verizon FiOS)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

City Hall • 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service • 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages • 863.834.4248 Pollution Hotline • 863.834.3300 LPD Crime Tips Hotline • 863.834.2549 LPD (Non-Emergency) • 863.834.6900 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.