Usually when I write these columns lately it is explaining why there is no available funding for needs in our neighborhood.  This month I am thrilled to write about a wonderful corporation that wants to help renovate our neighborhood center.  The Carroll Adams Group is a hotel renovation and design company located in the Day Building in downtown Orlando.  Carroll Adams sponsors backpacks for needy children in the Reeves Terrace neighborhood in District 4.  When Ted Carroll, President of the company was handing out backpacks to the kids, he mentioned that the community center was looking a little run down.  He offered to do a full renovation.  His staff painted, reupholstered, and hung beautiful art work on the walls.  When the work was complete, his business partner,  Katherine Adams, asked what center was next for renovation.  I was speechless, but of course uttered “Colonialtown!”

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Office hours at City Hall have been pretty challenging lately. News of layoffs of firefighters, police, and office workers had everyone concerned and upset. The one thing I would like all of my constituents to ponder, it takes $7313.00 to educate a child in the Orange County Public School System, which ranks among the lowest funded in the nation. It takes $1,000.00 per person in the City of Orlando to provide Police and Fire Service. Take into account the costs of providing garbage service, repairing roads, fixing sidewalks, making sure your toilets flush, and numerous other services provided by the City of Orlando. We can do the best we can, but I will not tell you that I can do all of the above with less funding after Amendment 1.

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