Latest news with #JerryDemings
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Orange County Mayor discusses efficiency at State of the County Address
Mayor Jerry Demings gave the State of the County Address, emphasizing the importance of working together efficiently. On Friday morning, Mayor Jerry Demings gave the State of the County Address, highlighting Orange County's growth in many areas. Building together through efficiency was the message of Friday's address. Mayor Demings said he thinks the county needs to get used to doing more with less. He said they expect budget cuts at the federal level to eventually trickle down to impact state and local governments. With that, he said there is a mission to continue to focus on a culture of excellence and innovation while building better through efficiency in the county. 'I believe Orange County is a good local government,' Mayor Demings said. 'We strive for perfection but we're not there yet. We're trying to improve on our efficiency.' In some ways, that means environmental sustainability now preserving an additional 23,000 acres of sensitive land and reusing 100% of the county's wastewater. It will also allocate funds where they are most needed, such as $1 billion towards public safety and $100 million to improve area roads. 60 transportation projects were completed this year. Demings also touted record-breaking tourism numbers and a booming sports industry. Success brings its own set of challenges and even with $160 million committed to affordable housing, he believes more public-private partnerships are necessary. 'If we bring the housing cost down for low-wage owners, effectively, that gives them more discretionary income to do other things with,' Mayor Demings said. 'If we improve their skill sets through education, we're able to uplift their ability to earn a greater amount of money.' The mayor said that to continue being efficient, the county will use technology more, like artificial intelligence, in the future. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Editorial: Leaders' resolve on Pulse memorial reflects our community's strength
It's time. It's time. It's past time. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings knows the truth of those words more than most. As the county's elected sheriff, he left his home in the pre-dawn hours of June 12, 2016 to rush to the site of downtown Orlando's Pulse nightclub. He'd stay there for nearly 24 hours, working beside his friend John Mina (who was at the time Orlando's police chief) as law enforcement frantically sought to rescue those trapped inside. Demings will likely never forget that night, nor the weeks and months that followed. There are so many more Central Floridians who have horrific memories engraved on their souls. The survivors who huddled and hid as a gunman stalked through the club. The emergency-department staffers who worked tirelessly to save as many lives as they could. The family members who pleaded to know if their sons, daughters, spouses, friends or other loved ones were among the dead. Community leaders like Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan, the county's first openly gay elected official, who rushed to the site and tried to comfort family members' fear and grief. And the millions of Central Floridians who fought to reconcile the knowledge that their home had become the site of the worst mass shooting in the nation's history — up until that point. (Sadly, it's been eclipsed). Those survivors may not need a memorial to recall the horror of those early dawn hours. But they deserve one, especially if it nurtures the lasting changes that brought Orlando-area residents together in anguish and solidarity. That compassion has centered on the LGBTQ+ community that formed the base of Pulse's clientele, and the young Hispanics who came from across Central Florida for a weekly celebration of Latin music. It was an outpouring of acceptance that transcended the political, changing Orlando for good, and for the better. It lives on in many local residents's stubborn resistance to anti-immigrant crusades and attempts to marginalize sexual minorities. The names and faces of the 49 'angels' who died that night should never be forgotten. Nor should the terror of another 53 who were wounded but survived. The psychological scars of those who ran for their lives, or who huddled in hiding while waiting for rescue, also deserve acknowledgement. Most of all, the tragic lessons of this hate crime should be memorialized in the hopes that it avoids a repeat. And the resilience of local residents — their steadfast refusal to let Orlando and its surroundings be redefined by hate — should be celebrated. That's why Orange County residents should applaud the leadership of elected county and city leaders, who are joining forces to insist on (and pay for) a memorial on the site of the nightclub at the corner of Orange Avenue and Kaley Street. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer pushed for the city to take the lead after the collapse of the nonprofit foundation that was supposed to build the memorial. The wait has been infuriating, stretching the boundaries of trust and raising serious questions about what happened to millions of dollars raised toward the ostensible goal of creating a suitable tribute. Local leaders should continue to push — through any means at their disposal — for a thorough audit of OnePulse, the nonprofit that solicited money toward a memorial yet stumbled again and again. But the plans for a $12 million memorial, developed under the guidance of Orlando city government, are heartbreakingly beautiful — a glowing tribute of brightly colored glass, flowing water and the names of those angels who now stand as guardians to this community's resilience, hope and love. Plans unveiled before the County Commission Tuesday show a site that will offer ample opportunity for reflection — both of the tragedy that brought Central Floridians to their knees, and the inspiration leading them to stand together in solidarity and service without prejudice. Commissioners spent nearly two hours discussing the city's request to contribute $5 million toward the cost of the memorial, but the outcome was never seriously in doubt. The biggest point of strife: Who would make the motion to proceed with the donation. Demings took that victory by fiat, and it's hard to criticize his decision. His early, strong leadership almost certainly broke down barriers among more conservative communities that might otherwise have responded to the massacre with silence — or worse. There are still big questions ahead, including a continued probe into the failures of the OnePulse Foundation. City and county leaders should work together to demand answers. Some community members may also criticise the decision to remove most — possibly all — of the nightclub building and its iconic sign as the memorial is constructed. Certainly, their shared financial contribution gives every Orange County resident the right to voice their opinion; for more information, visit But that should not obscure the victory here, and Orange County and Orlando residents should be rightly proud of their elected leaders for insisting that plans for a memorial move forward — despite the delays and abuse of trust. Once again, this community has chosen to transcend tragedy and hatred with hope and unity. It is the right decision, and within two years this city should have a fitting memorial to the sacrifice of young people who only wanted to dance and have fun, without boundaries or prejudice. It is time. It is past time. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orange County Convention Center's $560M expansion to begin in 2026
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is moving forward with a $560 million expansion of its North-South Building, known as the Grand Concourse expansion, with construction slated to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2029, according to a March 27 news release. Ninety-percent construction documents — considered a milestone in the development process — are anticipated by the end of July. Mayor Jerry Demings, in his opening remarks at a Feb. 27 OCCC Expansion Phase 5A Citizens Oversight Committee kickoff meeting, underscored the robust health of the local economy, noting Orange County welcomed 74 million visitors last year — generating approximately $359 million in tourist development tax receipts for Orange County... Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Chicago Tribune
14-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Group of investors ready to buy Tampa Bay Rays and move team to Orlando
In the wake of the Tampa Bay Rays announcing Thursday that they are backing out of a proposed $1.3 billion stadium deal in St. Petersburg, the Orlando Dreamers — a group of investors trying to bring a Major League Baseball team to Central Florida — is ready to pounce. A source within the Dreamers organization told the Sentinel Thursday night that they have an Orlando-based majority owner ready to buy the team and have financial commitments for more than a billion dollars to help fund a $1.7 billion domed stadium project on a 35.5-acre plot of Orange County land next to the Aquatica water park just across International Drive from SeaWorld. The Dreamers, an effort started by late Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams, plan to make an official announcement Friday. Like most other MLB team stadium construction projects, the Dreamers need to have a public-private stadium partnership to satisfy Major League Baseball. The Dreamers say they are prepared to fund a major portion of the proposed domed stadium while the remaining resources would come from Orange County potentially using the Tourist Development Tax. The Dreamers say they have been in contact with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the latest developments. 'We are confident Orange County will step up to the plate when the time comes,' said a source within the Dreamers. If Orlando ever wants to land an MLB team, the opportunity will never be better than this. The Rays issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg on Thursday saying they are no longer pursuing a new stadium in St. Petersburg due to 'a series of events' in October, including funding delays due to two hurricanes — one that ripped the roof off Tropicana Field. 'After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,' Sternberg said in a statement. 'A series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated led to this difficult decision. 'Our commitment to the vitality and success of the Rays organization is unwavering. We continue to focus on finding a ballpark solution that serves the best interests of our region, Major League Baseball, and our organization.' The Rays, under their current lease agreement with the city of St. Petersburg, are contracted to play three more seasons at Tropicana Field after it is repaired from the hurricane damage, which has rendered it unplayable for the upcoming season. The Rays will play this season at a minor league park in Tampa. After that, nobody knows what will happen with the team. Major League Baseball is reportedly adamant that it wants the team to stay in Florida — the nation's third most-populous state. If that is indeed the case then there are really only two choices: Either the Rays would move across the bay into Tampa or move to Orlando. 'Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,' MLB said in a statement Thursday. 'Commissioner [Rob] Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today's announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club's future in the Tampa Bay region.' The Dreamers held a news conference in late January when they introduced Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Barry Larkin, a 25-year resident of Orlando, as the new front man for the drive to bring a professional baseball franchise to Central Florida. Larkin said then he had reached out to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who indicated to Larkin that putting a team in Orlando is 'an interesting and realistic opportunity.' Originally Published: March 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM CDT
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orlando asks Orange County for millions to fund Pulse memorial
After assuming leadership over creating the Pulse Nightclub shooting memorial and a months-long process to come up with a realistic concept for it, Orlando leaders are turning to Orange County to get the memorial over the finish line. Orlando has committed $7.5 million to the memorial's design and construction costs, in addition to funds used to purchase land adjacent to the nightclub's site. However, city leaders estimate the actual cost to be approximately $12 million. In a memo dated March 10, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer formally asked Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings for $5 million to cover the gap. 'Since the tragedy, the city and county have continuously partnered to support the victims' families and survivors and helped build community resilience,' Dyer wrote. 'We hope that the County will continue that spirit of partnership.' Last month, an Orlando-appointed committee approved the conceptual design for the memorial, which includes a visitor's center, water wall, reflecting pool and columns representing the 49 men and women who died. The city's effort to complete the memorial began after the nonprofit set up to permanently honor the victims, the OnePulse Foundation, fell apart amid accusations of financial mismanagement. At the time of its collapse, OnePulse had also lost the support of many of the victims' families over its plans to create a large-scale museum about the shooting. Orange County leaders did not have an immediate reaction to Orlando's request. They said a statement would be sent out later Wednesday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
