Winter Park City Talk

2017 election info

The General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14. Voters will be asked to vote on the following items:

• City Commission Seat 1: Greg Seidel (incumbent) and Wes Naylor

• Proposed City Charter Amendment: Article III, Section 3.04

Official ballot language:

“Shall the City of Winter Park amend Article III, Section 3.04 of its Charter, as provided in Ordinance No.3056-16, to eliminate primary elections for selection of candidates for City Commissioner and Mayor and instead provide for a run-off election between the two candidates receiving the most votes for a seat if no candidate for such seat receives a majority of the vote in the general election? Yes __ No __”

Basic facts about the charter amendment

Section 3.04 of the City Charter provides for and requires a primary election for the selection of candidates for the offices of City Commissioner and Mayor, when more than two candidates qualify, to be held on the second Tuesday in February, prior to the city’s general election.

The City Commission finds that it is in the best interests of the residents of Winter Park that Section 3.04 of the City Charter be amended to eliminate primary elections for candidates for City Commissioner and Mayor and instead provide for a run-off election to be held after the city’s general election, on the second Tuesday in April, if no candidate for a particular seat receives a majority of the vote in the general election.

The city of Winter Park is currently the only city in Orange County that holds a primary election.

For more municipal election information, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/elections, call 407-599-3277 or email [email protected].

It’s a “SNAP” to buy fresh fruit and produce at farmers market

The city of Winter Park’s Sustainability Program is proud to announce the Winter Park Farmers Market (WPFM) will provide access to the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) beginning Saturday, Feb. 4. This government program allows low-income patrons to purchase fresh food they need to maintain good health. Patrons holding SNAP/EBT cards will now be able to purchase tokens at the market’s welcome booth, and then use the tokens to purchase qualifying food items from WPFM vendors. WPFM is located at 200 W. New England Ave., and is open Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The SNAP/EBT program is brought to WPFM in part by the Winter Park Health Foundation and Healthy Central Florida. WPFM also received a $5,000 grant from the Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) program. These funds will allow SNAP/EBT patrons to gain additional spending power with matching funds up to $20 to be used only at Florida-grown produce and edible plant vendors. WPFM and Audubon Park Community Market are the only two markets in Central Florida offering access to the SNAP/EBT program.

No cash? No problem! Along with the SNAP/EBT program, patrons of WPFM will also be offered convenient access to cash-equivalent tokens with their ATM cards at the welcome booth. These tokens will allow patrons to purchase items at all market vendors.

For more information regarding WPFM and the services provided, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/farmers-market.

Best chili in town!

The Rotary Club of Winter Park will proudly host its sixth annual Chili for Charity event Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at the Winter Park Farmers Market. Participants will compete for the best chili “with a Winter Park attitude.” Event highlights include lots of great food and drink, live music and a fabulous auction of high-end prizes and trips. This event is the club’s primary fundraiser, which enables the organization to continue its proud tradition of supporting local charities within the community.

Advance tickets are $25 each or five for $100 and can be purchased at winterpark.org. Tickets will also be available at the door for $30 each. For more information, please visit winterpark.org or call 407-644-8281.

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