We are now addressing our Orange County residents’ and tenants’ needs in one office. The Office of Tenant Services ensures residents know their rights under Florida law. The office can also investigate complaints and make referrals to other agencies. I appreciate the board’s support of my request to require this office to collect data and provide reports to the board on how our housing situation is progressing.
Working alongside Orange County Utilities and the residents of Wedgefield, I initiated the process to have Orange County purchase Pluris Holdings, LLC. The process has been on hold due to a water-contamination lawsuit with the residents of Wedgefield, which they have recently settled. For years, the residents have fought against the cost and quality of Pluris’ services. If Wedgefield residents allow, Orange Couty will regulate the Wedgefield Water Utilities in the near future. See our upcoming events section for details of our Community Meetings with the Wedgefield community below to receive the updated information.
On October 25th, the Utilities Department and I delivered a presentation to the community of Bithlo regarding a Water Main Extension! Phase 1 West will extend service to 337 parcels in SW Bithlo, south of SR 50 and west of N. 3rd St. After lobbying for utility infrastructure for years, I am grateful that the American Rescue Plan Act funding made this project possible! More updates and project phases to come!
Commissioner Bonilla with Hernan Mejia from Simon Parilla Bar and Grill running routes for meal deliveries to homebound seniors. Thank you to Diana Bolivar from the Senior Resource Alliance for the opportunity.
Commissioner Emily Bonilla hosted the second Face Mask Giveaway Drive-thru Event on August 12, 2020, at the Goldenrod Recreation Center. Thank you to our volunteers, and Orange County Fire for their assistance. Thank you to the Million Mask Challenge for donating the cloth masks.
Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla held a summit Monday morning to address continuing issues in helping Puerto Rican evacuees and to corral nonprofit organizations, hoping to get them all on one page to pool resources. “We’ve been having these issues a long time and so we do need some strong leadership to start solving theses issues,” Bonilla said.
This was our First Annual Family Holiday Dinner hosted by Commissioner Emily Bonilla. Words cannot express how amazing it was to have so many families and organizations come together to make this event possible. I want to thank all our sponsors for helping me make this event a memorable one. Orange County Fire Rescue, Drug Free Community, Mental Health Services, Orange TV, Winter Park NCF, Bithlo NCF, Union Park NCF, Shoes4Kids, Islamic Center of Orlando, Amigos Unidos, Citizens Commission for Children, After School Zone, Y.M.C.A. After School Zone, Sea World, Aquatica, Elite Medical Rehab, Rap Around Orange, Parks and Recreation, Junior Cha Cha, Maitland After School Zone Chorus, Howard Middle School Jazz Band, Staff and Volunteers.
Our first round of Bat House making was a success! With the help of our District 5 constituents, we were able to assemble and construct ten bat houses this past Sunday. Thank you to all who came and participated in the making of these Bat houses! #environmentalist #savethebats #conservationproject #batsmatter
Pleased to have recognized Maria Bolton for her commitment to social justice and civic participation at the 22nd Orange County Community Conference.
Pastor Baxter’s motto is “Here at Bithlo we are developers of Hearts of Compassion and Hearts of Gratitude, as we serve each other and the greater community.” His service to the Bithlo Community has been recognized by the University of Central Florida, Florida Hospital, Second Harvest, Faith Assembly, and local students at Orange County Public Schools where he has served as a substitute teacher. Thank you for all your hard work, Pastor Baxter!