Winter Park City Talk

On behalf of the city of Winter Park, I would like to extend the happiest of holidays to you and yours. This time of year gives us the opportunity to focus and reflect on the areas of our life that mean the most to us.

As your city manager, I manage a staff that does everything we can do to pursue the city’s vision, “To be the best place to live, work and play in Florida for today’s residents and future generations.” We will continue to provide the highest quality of services to our residents.

We thank you for your continued support of our city and wish you happy holidays this season and many blessings throughout the New Year.

Dec. 22 City Commission meeting cancelled

In observance of the Christmas holiday, the Monday, Dec. 22, City Commission meeting has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 12, at 3:30 p.m.

City Hall closed and no Waste Pro services

City Hall will be closed at noon Wednesday, Dec. 24, and all day Thursday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Normal business hours will resume Friday, Dec. 26.

City Hall will also be closed Thursday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day.

There will be no Waste Pro services on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Normal services will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

To help save lives this holiday season, the Winter Park Police Department (WPPD) would like to remind drivers to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. During December, an average of 25 people a day die in drunk driving crashes nationally. Data also shows that among those alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, more than two-thirds occurred when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 grams per deciliter or higher (source: NHTSA).

Now through, Thursday, Jan. 1, WPPD, along with other law enforcement agencies, will be out in force conducting a sobriety checkpoint and roving saturation patrols looking for alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers. No warnings. No excuses. If you drive impaired, you will be arrested.

To keep safe this New Year’s holiday, WPPD recommends these tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.

• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend, or use public transportation.

• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.

• If you have had too much to drink, use the AAA Tow-to-Go program (855-286-9246).

• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

For more information on the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, please visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov

It’s a great time to skate on Christmas break!

Don’t forget the city’s “Winter in the Park” holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow is waiting for you! Yes, we are open on Christmas Eve from noon to 6 p.m., but closed on Christmas Day.

And it’s only $12 per skater all day! For more information, please call 407-599-3203 or visit our website at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP

Vote for your favorite holiday window

The Community Redevelopment Agency is proud to offer the fifth annual “Winter in the Park” Holiday Window Contest. From now until Wednesday, Dec. 31, you can vote for your favorite window online at cityofwinterpark.org/HWC. Don’t forget to vote today!

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and watch us on both Vimeo and YouTube.