CITY OF LAKELAND NEWS & EVENTS

APRIL 2019

PROTECTING THOSE THAT PROTECT YOUTHE LAKELAND FIRE DEPARMENT IS TAKING GREAT MEASURES TO KEEP FIREFIGHTERS AND THIER FAMILIES SAFE

2019 LAKELAND POLICE FOUNDATION 5KSHOW SUPPORT FOR POLICE AND RAISE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME

RAILWAY BYPASS SYSTEM COULD SAVE YOU TIME ON THE ROADLEARN HOW THIS NEW SYSTEM COULD CUT TIME OFF YOUR COMMUTE

WELCOME NEW ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERMEET EMILY COLON

30290-I-0207

The 19th Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is on display on the Lemon Street Promenade now through the end of 2019.

Many may not be aware that the artwork found on Lemon Street are a part of a special exhibit of sculptures that rotate annually. This year’s competition has brought a diverse array of sculptures to those blocks of downtown Lakeland.

In the fall of 2018, artists submitted applications through an online application process for consideration in the 2019 show. A jury comprised of City staff, Polk Museum of Art representatives and members from the local arts community gathered to review the pieces of art. Artists submitted more than 70 sculptures for review with the jury picking 10 of the very best to be displayed along Lemon Street.

This year’s sculptures are a study in contrast with a wide variety from the realistic owls found in Paul Saviskas’ “Out All Night” to the surreal, and this year’s tallest sculpture, “Jack Was Optimistic” from return sculptor Chris Plaisted. There are a number of familiar names in this year’s show including Carl Billingsley and Glen Zweygardt who both have several sculptures that have made Lakeland their permanent home.

The 10 pieces of art cover three blocks of Lemon Street between South Florida and Massachusetts Avenue. The artwork along the Lemon Street Promenade provides a great aesthetic that can be enjoyed on a weekend stroll or during a lunch break.

Pam Page, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation said, “The sculptures on Lemon Street were introduced to provide free access to public art for all who live and visit our community. We are fortunate to live in a City that recognizes the value of public art that introduces culture and well-being.”

For more information on the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, please visit: http://www.lakelandgov.net/flosc.

Be sure to visit the City’s Facebook page today and vote on your favorite piece of art for the People’s Choice Award.

LEMON STREET SCULPTURE EXHIBITMAYFAIRE IS NEAR!

It’s no secret that firefighters face many risks in the work they do and cancer is proving to be a leading

health risk for them according to new research. With the heightened attention on the increased rates

of cancer and cancer-related deaths among firefighters emerging from this research, departments like

the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) are being moved to action to keep its emergency responders and

their families safe.

The Lakeland Fire Department has gradually made changes over the past two years to help prevent

exposure to carcinogens by its firefighters. With the formation of new advocacy and research groups

in the Florida Fire Service, like the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative and Firefighters

Against Cancer Epidemic (F.A.C.E), Lakeland has taken an active role by joining these organizations and

making significant changes in how firefighters respond to and clean up after incidents.

The extent of the preventative measures being taken by the Lakeland Fire Department are significant

and merit awareness so that citizens, employees of the Department, and other fire departments

can become more knowledgeable on what is being done to prevent occupational cancers and how

prevention efforts can save lives.

To educate citizens on what the Department is doing to keep its firefighters safe, so that they in turn

can help keep citizens safe, the Department produced a 14-minute video. The production, is available

on the Department’s YouTube and other social media outlets for open-source use, visually details what

the preventative measures are. The video also features firefighters at the Department that are cancer

survivors explaining their personal experiences and why prevention is so important in the fight against the cancer epidemic among firefighters.

The video Protecting Those That Protect You: Cancer Prevention at the Lakeland Fire Department is a major part of the Department’s Health and

Safety: It’s Personal campaign which focuses on several health concerns for firefighters; including occupational cancer prevention, mental health,

physical health, and personal safety on the job. The video is available at www.youtube.com/LakelandFire

Lakeland Police FoundationFallen Heroes Memorial 5K – May 18th The Lakeland Police Foundation will once again host the Annual Fallen Heroes Memorial

5K on Saturday, May 19, 2019. Be a part of this fun family event as we show support for

law enforcement and raise funds for the Lakeland Police Foundation. Also special this year,

a portion of the proceeds from the race will be used to support the Retired Police K-9

Care Program. The purpose of the Retired K-9 Care Program is to provide wellness/medical

services through participating veterinarians for retired LPD K-9s at no cost to the current

owner for the remainder of the retired K-9’s life. The race also falls on Armed Forces Day

and we will be honoring those who have served and continue to serve our great country in

the military as well.

The chip-timed race will take place on beautiful Three Parks trail in Lakeland, FL beginning

at 7:00 a.m. Participants will meet at the YMCA located at 3620 Cleveland Heights Boulevard.

Race registration fee is $30.00 if you register between March 12, 2018 and midnight May 13, 2018.Race registration fee is $35.00 if you register between May 14, 2018 and race day, May 19, 2018.All proceeds will go to the Lakeland Police Foundation, Inc.For additional information, visit www.lakelandpolicefoundation.com.

Protecting Those That Protect You: Cancer Prevention at the Lakeland Fire Department

Lakeland motorists traveling on North Florida Avenue (US 98 North) may notice a recently installed intelligent rail bypass system to help drivers find an alternate route when there are train delays through downtown Lakeland. This electronic messaging system was requested as part of the Polk Rail Study in 2014 and became operational and its already in place.

The Intelligent Transportation System is a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project and is designed to alert motorists of an alternate route when a train is crossing their path on Florida Avenue in downtown Lakeland. The new system will activate at the same time as the railroad crossing warning devices along Florida Avenue between Main Street and Pine Street. Once activated, signs will light up along Florida Avenue with messages notifying motorists of delays ahead and pointing them to an optional alternate route. Motorists traveling north are guided to Lime Street then to Sikes Boulevard and motorists traveling south are guided to US Highway 98/George Jenkins Boulevard then to Sikes Boulevard where they can travel beneath the railroad overpass.

Chuck Barmby, Transportation and Review Manager said, “The new system will activate when a train is approaching downtown. Once activated, 14 electronic message signs will light up along Florida Avenue with messages notifying motorists of delays ahead and guiding them to the alternate route that is marked by static wayfinding signage.” He added, “The electronic message signs will be located strategically starting a quarter mile north of George Jenkins Boulevard and a quarter mile south of Lime Street allowing drivers ample time to take the alternate route.”

The project extends on Florida Avenue from Frank Lloyd Wright Way/Cresap Street to North of West 3rd Street and includes work on Lime Street between Florida Avenue and Sikes Boulevard, Sikes Boulevard between Lime Street and George Jenkins Boulevard and George Jenkins Boulevard between Kathleen Road and Florida Avenue. The City of Lakeland Transportation Management Center will control and operate the system.

NEW RAILWAY BYPASS SYSTEM COULD SAVE YOU TIME ON YOUR COMMUTE

Protecting Those That Protect You: Cancer Prevention at the Lakeland Fire Department

GANDY POOL

404 Imperial blvd

Lakeland, FL 33803

863.834.3157

lakelandgov.net/parkrec

Contact us

www.lakelandelectric.com

REGISTERTOdAY!

LESSONS AVA I LABLEIN MULT I PLE SK I LL LEVELS

AT BOTH GANDY POOLAND S IMPSON PARK POOL

Example of Blank-out sign on traffic pole with

RR crossing sign and dual flashing beacons

Example of Blank-out sign on Mast Arm Pole

Example of Blank-out sign on Mast Arm

Examples of Blank-out Signs (RXR Symbol is Amber Lettering is White)

Lakeland Intelligent Rail Bypass System Sign Examples

Online | www.lakelandgov.net In Person | City Hall • 8AM – 5PM • Monday-Fridayfacebook.com/lakelandgov | twitter.com/lakelandgov | instagram: lakelandgovListen 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 • 3PM | Utility Committee Meetings • First Monday • 1PMLive Broadcast on LGN | Channel 643 (Spectrum) | Channel 43 (Frontier FiOS)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:City Hall • 863.834.6000 Lakeland Electric Customer Service • 863.834.9535 Power or Water Outages • 863.834.4248Pollution 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 | 863.834.9535IN PERSON | Lakeland Electric has partnered with over 50 local businesses including area AMSCOT offices to accept your utility payment.ST

AY CO

NNEC

TED

WELCOME EMILY COLON

Mayfaire by the Lake started as an arts and crafts show on the front lawn of the Lakeland Public Library in 1971. From its humble beginnings it has grown to be one of the most prestigious, fun filled outdoor fine art festivals in Florida. This year’s event will take place over Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th. Mayfaire is one of the largest and oldest outdoor art festivals in Central Florida, ranked number 45 among Sunshine Artist Magazine’s “200 Best Art Shows” in 2018. There are jewelers, sculptors, clay artists, painters, photographers and glass artists displaying their work for everyone to enjoy. Mayfaire is for anyone who appreciates all varieties of artwork. Come see why Mayfaire is rated one of the top art shows in Florida. The juried show along the shores of beautiful Lake Morton is expected to welcome over 70,000 visitors and this year there are over 150 very talented artists participating in the event. On Saturday, bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a free concert at the Frances Langford Promenade at Lake Mirror. The band MPiRE is back by popular demand and they will take the stage for Mayfaire Saturday Night from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. The evening will include fireworks at 9 p.m. Runners can take part in the evening 5k road race which runs around Lake Mirror and Lake Morton, a scenic and certified course through Lakeland's historic district. The race is chip timed and runners can enjoy post-race refreshments, live music, and fireworks as part of the Saturday night festivities. For more infrmation visit mayfairebythelake.org

The City of Lakeland welcomes Emily Colon as the new Assistant City Manager. She started with the City of Lakeland on April 1st. Colon has been employed by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners since 2014, most recently serving as a Program Administrator. In this position she worked closely with Facilities Management, Fiscal Services, Fleet Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, Office of Management & Budget and Purchasing.

During Colon’s tenure with the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners she served as Program Administrator, Budget Manager, Administrative Services Manager and Budget Analyst II. Before joining Pasco County, she was an Admissions Recruiter and System Scholarship Coordinator at the University of South Florida. Colon also has experience as an analyst for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

City Manager Tony Delgado said, “I am extremely excited to appoint Emily Colon to the Assistant City Manager position. She has established herself as an extremely knowledgeable and customer focused public servant; honing her skills in both the public and private sector. This has created a solid customer centric foundation that will assist her in becoming a notable leader within the City’s Management team.”

Colon said, "I am thrilled about this opportunity with the City of Lakeland and am confident that it will be a great fit for me and my family. I have been very fortunate in my career thus far to have worked with and learned from such dedicated public servants (on the local, state, and federal level) and I look forward to continuing that tradition in Lakeland." She added, "Everyone I have met during the hiring process is so passionate about the City of Lakeland. It's contagious and inspiring. I can't wait to become a part of it!"

Colon is 32 years old, married to her husband Rick and they have two children. She has an undergraduate degree in International Business and she holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida. Colon is an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Florida for the school of Public Affairs. She is a board member with the American Society for Public Administration and Co-chair of the Fiscal and Administrative Policy Committee for the Florida City and County Management Association.

Delgado said, “I believe the organization will find Emily to be a vibrant and personable addition to our executive staff and I am equally confident our residents will embrace those same attributes as they welcome her family to the community.”

2019

Are you looking for an exciting, fun-filled 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. 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 calender for these dates! Classes are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 pm. For more information please visit www.lakelandgov.net.

Sign Up For

CAMP BLASTJune 10 - July 26

Registration begins April 6

MAYFAIRE IS NEAR!