KERNELS

30290-I-0136
City of Lakeland’s
Monthly Newsletter
October 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
Lakeland Electric Website New and Improved
GEORGE RENNINGER
INVENTS CANDY CORN
GOELITZ CONFECTIONERY COMPANY BEGINS PRODUCTION
(GOELITZ IS NOW CALLED JELLY BELLY CANDY COMPANY)
When this popular treat
shows up on the shelves,
you know that Halloween
is coming soon! Did you
know that this candy favorite
has been around since the
Company, the original candy
hasn't changed all that much.
Today, however, automated
manufacturing makes it possible
to create millions of pounds of
the confectionery treat every
year. As you enjoy your spoils
from this year's Trick o' Treating...
228 S. Massachusetts Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801
863.834.6000
www.lakelandgov.net
remember you're eating a part of
history! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY
HALLOWEEN!
75%{
9
TION
years later, the candy's recipe
OTHER HOLIDAYS
CUPID
CORN
(VALENTINE'S)
ODUC
was poured by hand. Over 100
HALLOWEEN
ACCOUNTS
FOR
AL PR
ANNU
of the Wunderlee Candy
}
1880s? Invented by George
Renninger, an employee
Lakeland Municipal Election:
November 5
SUGAR CRISIS OF THE MID-70s RESULTED IN THE CLOSING
OF MANY CANDY COMPANIES. CANDY CORN SAVED
GOELITZ FROM BANKRUPTCY
REINDEER
CORN
(CHRISTMAS)
KERNELS
ION
Meet Margaret Orozco:
Firefighter
CANDY CORN BECAME SO POPULAR THAT PRODUCTION
COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH DEMAND
BILL
City of Lakeland
Employees Give Back
1880
1898
1900
1970
PRODUCED EACH YEAR
LAID END-TO-END
THEY WOULD CIRCLE
THE MOON
21x
INDIAN
CORN
(THANKSGIVING)
Monthly Comparison of
Residential Electric Rates
Source: Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA)
Monthly Utility Bill Comparison • July 2013
www.lakelandelectric.com
*per 1,200 kWh usage
THE
NEW
AND
IMPROVED
L A K E L A N D E L E C T R I C . C O M
Lakeland Electric customers may notice
something new the next time they visit www.
lakelandelectric.com. They will now find
information faster and easier – thanks to a cleaner,
modern look that features a stronger focus on
customer service.
Lakeland Electric streamlined its website so
customers will have a better on-line experience.
Customers will find information in less time and
fewer clicks with much improved navigation.
The City of Lakeland developed the sites using
customer feedback and site analytics. Content
that had heavy usage was designed to be accessed
quickly from the home page making it easier for
customers to find exactly what they want.
An internal team with representatives from
Lakeland Electric’s Customer Service Division, the
Department of Information Technology and the
Communications Department developed the new
site with 100% of the focus on customers.
“Our customers want more information at
their fingertips – whether they are on the go
with a mobile device or surfing online at home
on a computer,” said Joel Ivy, General Manager
of Lakeland Electric. “Our customers increasingly
want to do more remotely and the site was
developed to be easy to use no matter what kind
of device they are using.”
The new site was designed to simplify
transactions and customers will be able to enter an
enhanced e-Services portal that allows access to
all City of Lakeland utility services. Leading the list
of improvements on Lakeland Electric’s website is
“responsive design” – which allows the screen to
adapt to the device the customer is using, whether
it’s a laptop, a smart phone or a tablet.
E-Services
Include:
•24-hour online access to popular services
•On-line ability for service changes so
customers can open an account or
transfer service
•At-a-glance tabs on the e-Services portal
so customers can view their City of
Lakeland utility services
•Interactive graphs so customers have the
ability to view consumption and energy
cost by month, day or the hour
•Link to e-Billing, which allows customers
to electronically receive their monthly
statements and pay online
•Temperature and weather information
•Side-by-side bill comparisons
•Personalized widget dashboard (weather,
last usage readings, carbon calculator,
usage projection)
•Personalized service alerts/reminders
Going green has never been so easy.
With Solar Hot Water Service you get a new solar water heating system with an 80 gallon water heating
tank installed and maintained in your home for FREE! Instead of using electricity for water heating
you pay just $34.95 a month. Your electricity usage goes down and the solar service fee is fixed and
never goes up—even if energy prices rise in the future. Plus, the larger solar tank with electric backup means your family will always have plenty of hot water. Enrolling your home is quick and easy!
Lakeland Solar Hot Water Service — your smart choice for clean energy!
Sign-up now and receive one month of Solar Hot Water Service—free!
Go online or call today!
www.solarlakeland.com 863.577.7778
like \''līk\ vb: to be suitable or agreeable to.
w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / c i t y o f l a k e l a n d
LAKELAND EMPLOYEES
GIVE BACK
TALENT SHOWCASE
NOVEMBER 1 • 7-9 PM | MUNN PARK (PART OF FIRST FRIDAY)
City of Lakeland employees would like to invite
you to the 3rd Annual Lakeland Employees Give
Back Talent Showcase being held in conjunction with
the Downtown Lakeland Partnership’s First Friday
event on November 1st. The show, scheduled from
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in Munn Park, is free and open to the
public as part of the First Friday event.
The Lakeland Employees Give Back Talent
Showcase was originally created to serve as a
venue for City of Lakeland employees to share
their talents with the community. City of Lakeland
employees are known for their charitable activities
including their annual contributions to the United
Way totaling over $1.1 million over the past
10 years. “City of Lakeland employees have a
compassion that runs deep because they live, work
and play in the community,” said City Manager
Doug Thomas. “They see this event as another
opportunity to give back to the community.”
Each participating act contains at least one
City of Lakeland employee, a family member of an
employee or a City of Lakeland retiree. Acts will
be judged and winners will be selected for both a
Judge’s Choice Award and a People’s Choice Award.
Attendees will have a chance to vote for their talent
choice by donating $1 per ballot. All monies raised
from the People’s Choice Award will be donated to
the local United Way.
First Friday is one of the most popular recurring
events that takes place in downtown Lakeland.
Every month, on the first Friday of the month (hence
the name), people from all over the community
converge in Downtown Lakeland for an evening of
FREE family friendly entertainment, activities, live
music, art receptions, a car show, and, of course,
the chance to check out a great,
locally-owned restaurant or
retail establishment. The City of
Lakeland is proud to partner with
First Friday for the Employees
Give Back Talent Showcase and
we hope to see you downtown
on Friday, November 1st.
Guest Emcee
Jennifer
Holloway
LIKE US ON
Polk County’s First
& Only Half Marathon!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Start Times: 7 a.m. Half Marathon | 8 a.m. Fun Run
The Red Ribbon Half Marathon & Fun Run is a
family weekend where parents can compete in the
Half Marathon and K-8th grade students can take
part in a Kid’s Fun Run, which will loop around Lake
Mirror. Free registration for K-8th graders includes
a commemorative Run t-shirt! Festivities also
include the Kids’ Health & Wellness Carnival on
Friday evening, November 8, 2013 at LEGOLAND
Florida. Register Online Today to get the best price
for the Red Ribbon Half Marathon! Prices increase
as the event draws closer.
Please visit our official event web site at:
www.redribbonhalf.com
Follow us on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/RedRibbonHalf
Like us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/RedRibbonHalf
For Information, please call
InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777
G OV E R N M E N T E M P L OY E E S AT WO R K
Meet Margaret Orozco
Meet Margaret Orozco, Firefighter Paramedic
who has been a member of the Lakeland Fire
Department for 10 years. Orozco said, “I use to
do a lot of clerical work but the desire to help
people inspired me to become a firefighter. It can
be challenging but it is a very rewarding career.”
She attended the Orlando Fire Academy and
received her Emergency Medical Technician and
Fire Standards in 2002. Orozco was hired by the
Lakeland Fire Department in 2003 and she received
her Paramedic certification in 2007. She is currently
working on her Bachelor of Nursing degree at USF.
Orozco is a native of Colombia and she has lived
in the United States for the past 15 years. She first
moved to Orlando from Bogota, Colombia and
firefighting brought her to Lakeland. When asked
about what she likes most about her job, she said,
“I like the fact that every time I go out on a call it’s
different and my career is not driven by bottom line
profit, it’s driven by helping others.” Orozco added,
“As a firefighter, I usually arrive when someone is
experiencing the worst part of their day and I get
to help make it better.”
Orozco is small in stature but she has a very big
heart and she likes giving back to the community
outside of fighting fires. She is heavily involved in
the Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida and she
assists the group during Camp Tequesta that takes
place in Umatilla. “Every year the Burn Foundation
puts on a camp for children who are burn victims
and they come from all over the state for a four
day camp. I act as a mentor and work with the
kids during camp,” Orozco said. “The camp is
a great place for the kids to make friends with
people who have similar experiences and it helps
with the mental healing process.” Because of her
work with Camp Tequesta, Orozco was chosen
by the International Association of Fire Fighters
to assist in their international burn victim camp in
Washington, DC.
Orozco said her favorite meal is Bandeja Paisa
which is a traditional Colombian dish comprised of
white rice, red beans, plantains, ground beef, a corn
patty and fried pork skin garnished with avocado
slices. However, she quickly said, “Sushi and Tai food
are tied for a very close second.” She enjoys running
and going to the beach when she is not working at
the Lakeland Fire Department. She said, “The longest
I’ve run in a race is 15K a few years ago but I plan
to run in the upcoming Red Ribbon Half Marathon
in November.” Orozco makes an annual pilgrimage
to the mountains each year to go snowboarding and
she said Vail, Colorado is her favorite spot. Orozco
enjoys reading suspense thrillers - she lists her
favorite authors as Dean Koontz and Robin Cook.
Her favorite color is royal blue and her favorite
television show is Criminal Minds.
It is evident that Orozco truly enjoys her job
and when asked about one of her most memorable
moments she said, “I’ll always remember the day
during my rookie year that a citizen came back to the
fire station and personally thanked us months after
we assisted her during her time of need. My calling is
to help others and it is very rewarding when people
come up to me in when I’m in uniform and thank me
for what I do.”
CITY OF LAKELAND
MUNICIPAL
LAKELAND
ECONOMY
CONTINUES TO GROW
In December of 2012, Forbes Magazine listed the Lakeland MSA
(Metropolitan Statistical Area) in the top 15 areas in the nation for
job growth in 2013. The national employment survey completed by
the Manpower Group stated that the Lakeland MSA is estimated
to increase job growth by 14%. Recently, Draken International
announced expansion and SteriPack announced that its new US
facility would be in Lakeland. These two companies represent some
of the latest industries to call Lakeland "home."
Draken International
In April of 2013, Draken International signed a 10-year lease to
occupy 90,000 square feet of hanger space adjacent to the 30,000
square feet that they already occupied at the Lakeland Linder
Regional Airport. As part of this expansion, Draken International will
create 55 new jobs paying an average wage greater than 115% of
Polk County’s annual average. Draken will also invest nearly $6.7
million over the next three years as it expands its headquarters and
maintenance, repair and overhaul operations (MRO) in Lakeland.
Draken International provides airborne adversary support, flight
training, threat simulation and electronic warfare support for the U.S.
Military and Department of Defense as well as maintenance services
and research into new technologies for the industry. With over 50 jets,
Draken International operates the largest fleet of privately owned
tactical aircraft in the world.
SteriPack
SteriPack, a leading manufacturer of flexible medical packaging
has selected Lakeland for their first U.S. operation. Located within
Lakeland’s Parkway Corporate Center, SteriPack plans to hire 65
new employees paying an average wage greater than 115% of the
average annual wage in Polk County. Their $7 million dollar capital
investment will afford them room for future growth as their operation
supports additional contract packaging and manufacturing
opportunities. With plants in Ireland, Poland and Malaysia, Steripack
considered several other locations in the U.S. before eventually
choosing Lakeland for its experienced labor pool and existing
medical device companies. As of June of 2013, SteriPack had
already hired 30 full-time employees.
CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED
For The Observance of
Veterans Day
Monday, November 11
NO SOLID WASTE COLLECTION CHANGE
Thanksgiving:
Thursday, November 28
Friday, November 29
NO SOLID WASTE COLLECTION ON 11/28.
COLLECTION WILL BE ONE DAY LATER
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.
2013 ELECTION
GET OUT
AND
VOTE!
NOVEMBER 5
General Election
ONLINE
www.lakelandgov.net
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
DECEMBER 3
Runoff Election
EARLY WALK-IN VOTING
OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 2, 2013
at the Lakeland Branch Courthouse and
Supervisor of Elections Headquarters,
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
and Sat 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
on
i
t
a
r
b
e
l
VETERANS
DAY
Ce
STAY
CONNECTED
Saturday, November 9, 2013
ºMemorial Ceremony at
Veterans Park • 10AM
ºParade to Munn Park
ºVeterans Day Festival
in the Park
L O G O N. T U N E I N. G E T C O N N E C T E D.
www.lakelandgov.net
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.