July 2015 - Access Lakeland

GET COOL THIS SUMMER ENERGY TIPS

CAMP BLAST 2014

30290-I-0158

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT REGISTER YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

HUMBERTO PEREZ CONSTRUCTION TRADES WORKER II

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT PAUL A. DIGGS

CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

JULY 2015

LAKELAND

CITY OPENS NEW STAND-ALONE PAL FACILITY

The City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with the Lakeland Police Department to open a stand-alone facility for the Police Athletic & Activities League (PAL). The 3,511 square foot facility is located at 325 West 2nd Street and features a computer room, activity room, kitchen, athletic offices and a basketball court. The facility was the Ridge Community Center and it has been sitting vacant.

The $110,000 cost to rehab the facility to meet the needs of the Police Athletic & Activities League was minimal when compared the positive impacts it will have on the community.

Bob Donahay, Director of Parks & Recreation said, “We are excited to work with both the Lakeland Police Department and the Police Athletic League to bring a brand new element into this neighborhood.” He added, “This is just a start. We are planning to add athletic fields, multiple sports courts and additional programming in the future.”

The new PAL facility will serve around 200 youth. Donahay said, “PAL has been operating out of Simpson Park since 1993 and they were running out of room. To grow the PAL Program, they needed their own facility to better serve a different part of the Northwest Community.

This partnership is important because it takes a village as we all work together to get kids off the streets and involved in other interests.”

Donahay said, “There is a program called Weed and Seed. The Police Department is great at Weeding and Parks and Recreation is great at seeding. This program, while under the Park and Recreation umbrella, is a Partnership between two outstanding Departments and the future for PAL is brighter than ever.”

The PAL facility will offer youth mentoring programs, summer camps, aftercare tutoring, wrestling, karate, sports clinics and it will have space for meetings and events. The Simpson Park Complex will continue to partner with PAL programing. Youth Football will still be housed at Simpson Park, for the time being. However, there are future plans for a nearby multi-sports field that will be able to accommodate practices.

The Vision is to create an environment that will help children grow academically and athletically. This is accomplished with a foundation of principles that teach valuable life lessons to PAL participants that will mold them into responsible, caring adults.

www.lakelandelectric.com

SUMMER HEAT IS HERE! Take Time to Control Your Summer Electricity Costs

We are well into the Florida summer and the heat has arrived in full force!

Because you want to stay cool, your electricity costs usually rise in the summer months. But do you know why? There are actually many reasons, but they have one goal in common - keeping the house cool.

Check out these reasons explaining why customers typically see higher electricity bills in the summer. Do any apply to your home?

• The "FAN" setting is selected at the air conditioner thermostat. Instead, it should always be set on "AUTO".

• The air conditioner's air filter is clogged and air flow is restricted, causing the system to work harder and longer while running less efficiently.

• The air conditioning evaporator coils are clogged with accumulated dust. Again, air flow is restricted causing the system to run less efficiently.

• The temperature on your air conditioner thermostat is set too low. The recommended summer setting is 78 degrees. Remember - cooling costs can almost double if you set the thermostat at 70 instead of 78 degrees!

• You have a swimming pool and the pool pump runs 24 hours a day.

• The ceiling of your home lacks adequate insulation and heat from the attic is pulled through and into the living area below.

• The refrigerator that served for twenty years in the kitchen still works, and now it is in the hot garage. The heat, coupled with the fact that is it an older appliance, causes the refrigerator to work harder, requiring more electricity.

There are some behavioral changes you can make while still staying cool, and not having a high electricity bill. It just takes some adjustments on your part!

• Minimize indoor heat: On hot days, run the dryer and dishwasher at night and let your dishes air dry. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster-oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It's best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.

• Set your water heater to 120ºF. • Keep the blinds and windows closed during the day and open at night.

This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.

• Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are also low-cost ways to cool your home.

• Wash clothes in cold water and clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use.

• Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs, DVD players and computers into power strips and turn off the power strips when the equipment is not in use. And remember - that phone charger you have plugged into the wall is still using energy!

• If you have a pool: consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30 minute increments daily. Keep on reducing the time as long as the water appears clean. You may find you only need to run your pool filter six hours a day. Install a timer to control the length of time that the pool pump cycles on.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HOW MUCH ELECTRICITY YOU ARE CURRENTLY USING? Go to Lakeland Electric’s website and check out the “Data Tools”, available once you log into your account. https://eservices.lakelandelectric.com/ Data-Tools/Projections/

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Register Your Neighborhood for National Night Out 2015 The Lakeland Police Department would like to invite you to participate in the 32nd Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. National Night Out is an event where neighborhoods, businesses, churches and law enforcement come together to show solidarity in the ongoing fight against crime and drugs.

This event is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs as well as strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. This is a great opportunity to send a message to criminals letting them know that local neighborhoods are organized and fighting back! This year’s theme is “See Something, Say Something!”

Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, your neighborhood can celebrate National Night Out with a variety of activities such as block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals and visits from local officials and police officers. To ensure that members from the Lakeland Police Department stop by and celebrate with you, register your neighborhood or community group today! It’s free to participate and the benefits your community will receive from this event could extend well beyond this one night.

Applications are available online at www. lakelandgov.net/lpd. For full details, contact: Cindy Sharp at 863.834.6912 | cynthia.sharp@lakelandgov.net

CITY OF LAKELAND EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

HUMBERTO PEREZ CONSTRUCTION TRADES WORKER II Meet Humberto Perez, a six year employee of the City of Lakeland in the Public Works department. Perez began his career as a Trades Worker I where he constructed and repaired sidewalks. Currently, he is a Trades Worker II and serves as a crew leader. His two primary job functions include installation of speed bumps and road patching. For example, should the Water Department have to cut into the road to make a repair to a water main, Perez and his crew would be there to repair the hole to make driving safe for motorists. What Perez loves most about his job is his coworkers and working four 10 hour days.

Recently, Perez was celebrated for the integrity that he displayed on the job site. Having just returned to the supply shed to gather additional supplies, Perez saw what he thought were dollar bills laying on the ground. Upon further inspection, he found five $100 bills!

Unbeknownst to him, an employee was alerting the office staff about the money she just lost. While Perez could have easily pocketed the money, he did the right thing and turned it in. The money was returned to the owner, who will be eternally grateful to Perez. Perez says “When I saw the money, I figured it was probably for someone’s bills. I knew that if I was ever in that situation, I would want someone to be honest and do the same thing.”

Born in Fresno, California, Perez is one of 11 siblings. At the age of 12, Perez and his family relocated to Texas to be closer to his great grandmother. While in Texas, Perez recalls picking onions in the field with his family in addition to attending school. With an aunt in Plant City, the family decided to pack their bags and move to Florida, where picking crops was still part of his daily life. He mentioned that in the

summer time, the family would go to Ohio to pick cucumbers. Perez remembers while in Ohio, the family would live in a small, one room house with outside bathroom facilities. Perez graduated from Durant High School in Plant City. Upon completion of high school, Perez worked for several mobile home companies, doing finish work, drywall installation and acting as crew leader. Perez is grateful for his job with the City of Lakeland and loves that he is always expanding his knowledge and progressing up the company ladder.

Perez has been married to his wife Evelin for fifteen years. He is the father to three boys, Humberto Jr., Matthew and Anthony. Perez loves water activities, from playing in the pool to deep sea fishing. His favorite foods are hot wings and pizza. When he wants a good steak, only Texas Cattle Company will do. After family, nearest to his heart is his church.

Perez is actively involved in several ministries at his church, Shiloh Baptist in Plant City. He teaches 5th grade Awana on Wednesday nights and participates in the Manna on Wheels food box delivery. When an English speaking minister visits, Perez can be found on the stage translating the sermon in Spanish. Last November, Perez went on a mission’s trip with his church. While in Mexico, he worked at an orphanage and went door-to-door translating the Bible to the people there. Perez hopes to take his wife and sons on a mission’s trip this summer. As for other traveling, Perez would one day love to visit Italy and France with hopes of ministering there as well.

Humberto Perez, thank you for a heart filled with integrity. You are an asset to the City of Lakeland!

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT:

Water Restrictions In Effect For Polk County Did you know that all of Polk County, including the City of Lakeland, is on permanent water restrictions? These restrictions apply to the use of water from public and private water utilities as well as the use of all wells and surface water sources (lakes, ponds, rivers, etc). Here are some of the most important highlights of the restrictions: Existing Lawn (Turf, Sod or Grass) & Landscape (Garden Plants) Watering: • The two day a week schedule below must be followed.

• Watering is allowed before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. (But not both).

• Addresses Ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 may only irrigate on Thursday and/or Sunday.

• Addresses Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 may only irrigate on Wednesday and/or Saturday.

• These restrictions apply to private residences and to commercial landscape.

• All locations without a discernible address (such as common areas and subdivision entry ways) may only irrigate on Tuesday and/or Friday.

• Micro-irrigation is exempt from all restrictions.

New Plants and Turf: New plant material may be watered out of cycle for up to 60 days for establishment (Keep a receipt for proof of new material, before and after pictures are also helpful). Here are the guidelines: • Days 1 through 30: Watering is allowed on any day • Days 31 through 60: Watering is only allowed on the following days: • Addresses Ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 are allowed to water Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday • Addresses Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 are allowed to water Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday • A minimum of 50% of the area being watered must contain new plants or sod • New plant material may be watered any time on the day of planting Other Water Uses: Automobile washing, fountains and falls, and pressure washing are not currently restricted. However, the District asks that residents be as efficient as possible, so water isn’t wasted. Using an automatic shut-off nozzle on a hose is required for automobile washing.

PAUL A. DIGGS

Neighborhoods are an integral part of the City. Maintaining and enhancing these neighborhoods are critical to the long-term vitality and success of Lakeland and the quality of life of our residents. The City of Lakeland has identified approximately 100 neighborhoods.

Of those, 15 are registered neighborhood associations that make up the Neighborhood Association Coalition (NAC), which works closely with City staff.

This month, we spotlight the Paul A. Diggs neighborhood, named for a prominent businessman, social worker and community activist. Under the leadership of Annis Brown Hampton and Madie Scales, the neighborhood association began its partnership with the City of Lakeland in 1994. “We thought this was the best way to have a direct connection with the City,” said Lorenzo Robinson, who has been serving as neighborhood president since 1996.

Robinson said his greatest attribute as a neighborhood leader is his dedication to getting to the core of problems and concerns, and collaborating with community members to find solutions that benefit the City as a whole.

“People know that I am not afraid to ask the tough questions,” said Robinson. “We need for decision makers to consider our concerns, have answers about particular actions and allow us to help where appropriate.”

The persistence of residents over the years has resulted in many structural, safety and beautification projects in Paul A. Diggs. Students have safer routes to school with the construction of new sidewalk connections and enhanced crosswalks. With input from neighborhood residents, many of the challenging residential properties, which were an ongoing problem for Code Enforcement and Lakeland Police Department, have been removed or stabilized.

One of the association’s greatest outreach tools is its neighborhood survey. The door-to-door survey allows residents to express concerns relating to their quality of life. Jobs and resources for children with special needs were among the issues revealed by recent surveys. Neighborhood leaders have taken action by developing and supporting initiatives like the Save Our Children campaign and a job/resources fair.

Residents of the Paul A. Diggs neighborhood would like to see additional support for youth programming during the summer including more summer job opportunities. Extended hours for Simpson Park Community Center and the Larry Jackson Branch Library would also be welcomed. Working together with the City of Lakeland, the neighborhood association is committed to improving the quality of life in their community The City of Lakeland appreciates the involvement of the residents and will continue to support their improvement efforts.

Organizing a neighborhood association can be very rewarding.

If you are interested in becoming a registered neighborhood association, please contact the neighborhood outreach office at 863.834.6011.

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.