Maitland City Talk

Parents want the best for their children. They try to teach them good manners, ethics and morals. It is not always easy. It takes a lot of hard work and attention. Parenting is not the same as it used to be. It is very challenging in this day and age. Sometimes children make wrong choices. Police officers are seeing this more and more. In this story, the choice made by a 10-year-old girl was a good one. The involvement with law enforcement has a positive ending.

Kennedy Hanna is a fourth grade student at Lake Sybelia Elementary School in Maitland. Her father Ed Hanna is a computer analyst working at Fiserv in Lake Mary. He also volunteers his time to raise awareness about people with disabilities. Her mother Alida Hanna has been a teacher for more than 20 years. Alida is currently teaching at Lake Sybelia Elementary, and is clearly teaching “old school” values at home.

Ed and Alida Hanna have taught their daughter the value of money. They have relayed the importance of generosity and charity. For the past few years Kennedy has been receiving an allowance matching her years in age. Doing this consistently has given her wisdom beyond her years. She recently explained that, “When I was 9 years old I would get $9. I am now 10, so I get $10, if I’m good.” Kennedy has three jars in her room sitting on a shelf above “Hammy” the hamster’s cage. The jars are labeled for saving, giving and spending. When Kennedy receives her allowance, she puts $1 in the savings jar (eventually to be deposited in her bank account), $1 in the giving jar, and she can keep the remaining $8 to spend, “Usually on toys,” she said with a smile.

The first $100 Kennedy worked long and hard to save she donated to “adopt” an animal at the Sanford Zoo. It has since taken Kennedy about two years to save up another $100 in her giving jar. When Kennedy heard about the new Maitland Police K-9 dog Bosco, she knew she wanted to give her money to him. She hopes the money will be used for food, a toy or a piece of equipment. She is excited to meet him, and would love to give him a hug. When asked how she chooses where to share her money, Kennedy replied it makes her happy to donate to the Zoo and Bosco, “Because I love animals.”

The Maitland Police Department is very grateful to have K-9 Bosco on the streets. Kennedy’s donation will be kindly accepted and put to good use. We are happy to be reminded the lesson here is that it’s not always about the money.

- Officer Allison Diller

Maitland Police Department

City Council Meeting of April 22, 2013

The Maitland City Council met on April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting.

Special Presentations:

• Council members signed the Maitland City Council Honorable Character Oath to encourage public confidence in the integrity of local government and its fair and effective operation.

• Mayor Schieferdecker accepted a donation from Kennedy Henna for Maitland’s K-9 Unit.

• Mayor Schieferdecker presented city arborist Brian Dierks a proclamation proclaiming April 28 “Arbor Day,” and urged all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day by promoting the well being of this and future generations by planting trees and by supporting efforts to protect our trees and woodland.

• Andrea Bailey Cox, CEO/executive director of the Maitland Art & History Association, commented on the newly displayed artwork in the Council Chambers and City Hall.

Consent Items:

The Consent Agenda was approved as presented.

Decision Items:

• Introduced on first reading an ordinance to amend Chapter 4.7 Boards and Committees, Article V. Planning and Zoning Commission, Section 4.7-20 - Commission membership and officers of the City Code of Ordinances to remove the position of Mayor as an ex officio member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and set the Public Hearing date for May 13, 2013.

• Introduced on first reading an ordinance to amend Chapter 5, Article VI. Signs and Chapter 21 of the Maitland City Code to allow Digital Outdoor Advertising Signs on properties adjacent to Interstate 4 and set the Public Hearing date for May 13, 2013.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, please check our website at itsmymaitland.com