Maitland City Talk

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 9 a.m. 110 fifth grade students at Lake Sybelia Elementary were anxiously sitting in the front row seats of the school cafeteria. They were all wearing the same black T-shirt with a green and blue design and the same smile. An awards table, set up on the stage in front of them, added to the excitement. Many of their family members were in attendance, very proud, cameras at the ready. All fourth grade classes were there watching, waiting to get an idea of what would come for them next school year. It was D.A.R.E. Graduation Day. D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) began in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1983. The idea behind this program is simple: keep kids away from drugs. The Maitland Police Department introduced D.A.R.E. to Maitland schools in 1985. Although many surrounding agencies have discontinued D.A.R.E. due to budget constraints, Maitland is fortunate to say it has not. The program is taught over 10 weeks with a D.A.R.E.-certified police officer in the classroom. The students learn about the harmful effects of gateway drugs and how to resist them. Officer Allison Diller has been with the Maitland Police Department since 1994. She is married to Sgt. Brian Diller, also with the Maitland Police Department. They have two girls that attend Lake Sybelia Elementary. Officer Diller was assigned to teach D.A.R.E. when their eldest daughter Tristyn was six months old. On this special day, Tristyn became a D.A.R.E. graduate. Following the ceremony, the students continued their celebration with a D.A.R.E. picnic of pizza and cupcakes. They participated in several events including a demonstration with K-9 Officer Stitt and dog Bosco, a trip through the back of a police car, an obstacle course, and an opportunity to experience DUI goggles. The D.A.R.E. program is a positive example of the success than can be achieved when schools, police departments and the community work together.

City Council Agenda of Dec. 10

City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 10 in the Council Chambers, 1776 Independence Lane. Below is the agenda for that meeting.

Special Presentations

• Resolution – Employee of the Quarter

• K-9 Unit Donation

Consent Agenda

• Approve Council Minutes of Nov. 26, 2012

• Cancel Council Meeting of Dec. 24, 2012

• Maintenance Agreement - Control Specialists Company

• FDOT Agreement – Gem Lake Drainage Ditch • Orange County Mutual Aid Agreement

Decision Items:

• Appointments – Transportation Advisory Board (2)

• Quick Action Closing Fund Support - Digital Risk

• Evaluation/Compensation – City Manager & City Clerk

• Agreement – Transfer of Impact Fees – Gem Lake

Decision Items:

• Florida League of Cities – 2013 Legislative Action Agenda

For updates, please check our website at itsmymaitland.com