Happy New Year to All!!

I pray that God will bless everyone in the new year and keep your families safe and healthy. I pray that those who are out of work find work, those who are sick will be healed and comfort and peace for those suffering.
2008 has been a tough year for my own family with the loss of my father, my husband and I were laid off at different times and difficulties caring for my mentally handicapped brother, but I am hopeful that 2009 will hold new, brighter opportunities. We will meet the next set of challenges head on and without fear because we know that no matter what - God is with us always and He loves us and cares for us as He always has and always will!
God bless you all!!

Merry Christmas to Troops!

To all of our guys and gals fighting for freedom's sake, sleeping on a sandy desert, in a hut or other strange place, minus the comforts we take for granted here, with dusty boots or wet uniforms, home sick and missing family but proud and eager to serve the country they love so much yet asking so little in return -
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY GOD COMFORT YOU, KEEP YOU SAFE AND REUNITE YOU WITH YOUR LOVING FAMILIES SOON. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY, SAFE AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO YOU! YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN AND YOU ARE NOT TAKEN FOR GRANTED!!!

USA Cares - Support our Troops!

Please visit www.usacares.org to see how many different ways you and your family, right down to the kids, can help support our troops and wounded warriors!
You can merely donate, develop creative ways to fund raise and get your business or other group to do a "Red Shirt Friday". ALL proceeds go towards helping wounded warriors, helping troops avoid foreclosure on their family homes, and helping during financial crisis. They provide a hand up - not a hand out. There are some great ideas here!

Please show you care! God bless our troops and their families!

Florida Native Plant Society

Interested in using native plants in your yard? How about drought tolerant plants? Or if your yard is wet, water loving plants. Do you like to attract butterflies and love wildflowers? Check out the link below for a list of Florida native plants! There are picture of most plants and a link for more information too!

https://www.fnps.org/pages/plants/plants_by_county.php?county=SEMINOLE&sort=dryt

Happy planting!

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods

In a September post I spoke of this program and how we can all learn to conserve water and plant Florida native species in our yards. Well, an added benefit is that the City can also earn FDEP water pollution credits and consumptive use credits. What this program will do for the City is:
1)Help track the water quality of our lakes to make sure we are keeping stormwater pollution at a minimum and water quality high
2)Help educate staff and residents how to conserve water so that the City will draw less from the aquifer through proper and efficient irrigation and landscaping.

I am very pleased our awesome City Manager has agreed to sign the City up for this very valuable program. I hope residents will also take full advantage of the classes the program will offer on water conservation and irrigation efficiency.

New Mayor for Lake Mary

David Mealor will be sworn in Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 at 6PM as Lake Mary's new mayor. However, David is not new to Lake Mary at all. As past Mayor and State Representative, David has the knowledge, experience and leadership skills to continue to lead Lake Mary on to great things. Who knows? Maybe we'll be #1 in the nation next year?

Congratulations to David and I greatly look forward to working together as a team for the betterment of our community and it's citizens. God Bless everyone!

Say Thanks to our Troops!!

GREAT IDEA!!

The American Red Cross has partnered once again with Pitney Bows this year to send Holiday cards to the troops.

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to the address below. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Send a card of your own or download and print a card at: http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

You can also send Thank you cards to Soldiers anytime of the year at: http://letssaythanks.com

Note: Due to security concerns in light of 9-11 all cards will be screened and must comply with the following regulations:

All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008
All cards must be signed
Cards only. Long letters will not be accepted
Do not include email or home addresses on the cards
Do not include any inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process
A limit of 25 cards from any one person or 50 from any one class or group
Phone cards or gift cards will not be accepted.
No care packages will be accepted.
Letters addressed to Any Wounded Soldier or Any Wounded Service Member will not be accepted.

Support our Schools

Our Seminole County schools performance continues to rise and exceed state averages!  Currently, there are NO “D” or “F” schools in Seminole County. Seminole County ranks as one of the top performing districts in the state of Florida.  However, we are the lowest rank in funding – 58 out of 60.   With severe budget cuts in the 08-09 school year and another $7-$15 million in state cuts coming, the school board has a critical shortfall and operating budgets are being slashed into the quick.   The class size amendment also comes fully on line in the 2009-2010 school year which will require approximately 200 new teachers and more classrooms.  The question becomes: where will the money come from?  Fees? Tax increases? 

Please, please talk to your legislators and express your concerns on these issues.  Seminole County has already outperformed most other districts on less money.  Seminole County needs its fair share!  Seminole County has also already saved $2 million in the past 2 years through energy conservation and innovation.   Midway Elementary will be the first LEED certified school in the state with plans for more GREEN school to come online in the future – IF there is funding!  Call or e-mail your legislators and strongly urge them to support and reward Seminole county public schools through adequate funding and to stop more budget cuts!

Also tell them NOT to touch Bright Future scholarships – which they are considering doing!  Many bright students depend on this scholarship for college so they can become a professional, productive citizen.  

The State may hold a special legislative session prior to March. Perhaps December or January.   Please contact them NOW !!!  If you can attend or wish to go speak with the delegation listed below please contact a school board member or Superintendent Bill Vogel: 407-320-0006 ; email: Bill_Vogel@scps.k12.fl.us or :

District 22 Lee Constantine 378 Center Point Cr., #1268
(R) Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-3442
407-331-9675 (SunCom: 346-7578)
FAX: 407-262-7580
constantine.lee.s22@flsenate.gov

District 9 Daniel Webster 315 S. Dillard St.
(R) Winter Garden, FL 34787
407-656-0066 (SunCom: 326-2062)
FAX: 407-297-2064
Emhof.jaryn.s09@flsenate.gov

District 37 David Simmons 393 Center Point Cr., #1427
(R) Altamonte Springs, FL 32701-3444
407-262-7520 (SunCom: 346-7520)
FAX: 407-262-7522
David.simmons@myfloridahouse.gov

Congressman John Mica 2313 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
District 7 Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4035
FAX: 202-226-0821
john.mica@mail.house.gov

Happy Thanksgiving!!

May everyone have a blessed Thanksgiving. I pray those who are without jobs, find jobs, those who are sick are healed and for the safety and well being of our troops and their families during this holiday season. If you know a military family in need please try to organize efforts of neighbors, friends and family to help them have a good holiday season as well by helping with groceries, clothes or gift cards.

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods

Interested in landscaping your yard with native, drought tolerant plants? As we all consider ways to conserve water, reduce our water bills and water usage the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is here to help, offering classes routinely throughout the year. Check back - I will do my best to post upcoming class dates as quickly as I can! I'm all for a low water, low maintenance yard!!

Next class!!! USING NATIVE PLANTS IN THE LANDSCAPE - Sat., Oct. 18, 2008 9 AM- 11 AM at the Ed Yarborough Nature Center, 3485 N. CR 426, Geneva. FREE. To register 407-665-5575 or fyn@seminolecountyfl.gov

Maybe friends/neighbors can car pool!

Disability Cuts - support group anyone?

Are you as frustrated as I am?? My father passed away in April, leaving me to care fully for my developmentally handicapped brother Robert. It has been one nightmare after another dealing with the APD and even Medicaid! This "tier" system is ridiculous and only serves to try and hide the massive cuts they are inflicting on helpless disabled individuals who have no voice or representation nor any way to defend themselves!! The only advocates aside from family are the support coordinators and guess what? Dozens if not hundreds of them are quitting because they can no longer afford to feed and care for their families with the measley pay Tallahassee has decided to give them. God bless the ones who are staying.

If anyone knows of local support groups I am open to attending. If there aren't any and you are interested in starting one please call me!! Enough is enough! We've got to join together on this. These cuts WILL adversly affect the health and well being of disabled adults and children and that is wrong!
407-333-2453.

October Events

Saturday October 4th; 6-9PM at Central Park at City Hall come enjoy the 2nd annual Blues Review. Free concert. Food and refreshments for purchase. Bring chairs/blankets.

October 10th & 17th at 6:30 PM at the Frank Evans Center off of Country Club Rd. Lake Mary will host "Candlelight Tales". Storyteller Joe Rosier portrays a country doctor who regales you with stories about Florida’s haunting past and things that still go bump in the night. (Not recommended for children under 5 years of age). Refreshments after the show. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. 407 324 3011, Monday through Friday, 8AM – 5PM.

October 11 & October 18 Lake Mary hosts it's annual "Ghost Walks" starting at 6:30 at the Frank Evans Museum.
Adults $5, Children $1
Meet some of Lake Mary’s most famous ghosts on the Ghost Walk. Guided tours leave every 10 minutes from the museum, starting at 6:30 P.M. Tour takes about 45 minutes. Refreshments after the walk. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. 407 324 3011, Monday through Friday, 8AM – 5PM.

9-1-1 - Never Forget!!!

Please take a moment today to remember the 9-1-1 tragedy and the families who lost loved ones as terrorism reached our shores.

Never forget we are NOT invincible but we must unite as one nation.
United we stand, divided we fall.

God bless America and God bless our troops and their families!

2008 Amendments on Nov. Ballot

Please go to the following link to read info on the upcoming proposed amendments. You can also read my abbreviations below.
Make an informed vote whatever you do!

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/constitutional-amendments/2008-proposed.shtml
click on: 2008 GEN Constitutional Amendments to be Voted 11/4/08

Amendment #1 related to removing laws prohibiting ineligble aliens (persons prohibited from holding dual citizenship) from ownership, inheritance, disposition, and possession of real property.

#2 - the marriage amendment is self explanatory.

#3 - Authorizes the Legislature, to prohibit consideration of changes or improvements to residential property which increase resistance to wind damage and installation of renewable energy source devices as factors in assessing the property’s value for ad valorem taxation purposes. (No additional tax asessments due to improving the hurricane resistance or energy efficiency of your home).

#4 - Requires Legislature to provide a property tax exemption for real property encumbered by perpetual conservation easements or other perpetual conservation protections.

#6 - basically states that a fishing marina can not be taxed based on the fact that the land could be a 10 story hotel at it's highest and best use. It will be taxed for what it is - a marina.

#8 - allows local counties and cities to set up a local tax to fund local community colleges.

Tropical Storm Fay

Due to Tropical storm Fay Seminole County schools are closed Wednesday and news will be released during the day regarding Thursday. If you need assitance please call one of these numbers:

Seminole County Emergency Management
407-665-5102/ Citizen's Info 407-665-0311

Red Cross of Seminole
407-332-8200

Seminole County Animal Control
407-665-5201

Price Gouging Hotline
1-800-435-7352

Prepare Seminole

Seminole County's Department of Emergency Management website: www.prepareseminole.org can provide you with the latest information on school closings, shelter activations and other pertinent information with regards to natural disasters. Additionally you can sign up for electronic alerts on the site.
I want to encourage everyone to purchase a weather radio if you have not already, so you can be informed of impending dangerous conditions affecting you and your family. Stay safe by staying informed!

US Military All Stars

Tonight I enjoyed spending time with the US Military All Stars baseball team at a parade and dinner for them at the Timacuan Golf Club. What a great group of guys! I thoroughly enjoyed talking to several of them about their service experiences in the different branches of the military. All of them also spend time volunteering in hospitals and other areas while they are in town. They truly know the meaning of the word "service" as they give so selflessly to others.

What a great way to kick off the 4th of July holiday by spending time with our servicemen!!

Thursday July 10 they are playing a game in Sanford at the ball field near Mellonville Park. Please go enjoy the game and make a point to thank them for their service and sacrifice to our country! They more than deserve it!
God Bless our troops and God Bless this group for all they do!

Go to http://www.usmilitaryallstars.us/schedule.html for thier upcoming game schedules.

4th of July

Please have a safe and pleasant 4th of July!

Don't forget to honor and remember all of our troops, past and present in your prayers. Remember their families too! Freedom was not and is not free.

God bless all of those who lay down thier lives for our country and for freedom's sake! God Bless America!

CBC of Seminole

CBC - Community Base Care of Seminole is a "non-profit agency charged with developing community-based services and supports for children and families served by the child welfare system in Seminole county. A core value is the belief that all children have the inalienable right to grow up safe, healthy and fulfilled in families that love and nurture them.
The mission of CBC of Seminole is to protect and inspire every child, every day".

CBC has done what the former HRS could not. I have heard several testimonies of emerging young adults who have survived abuse and neglect from their own families and have been adopted by the CBC family that nurture, care for and mentor them on their way to a sucessful life free from fear and full of promise.

I would highly recommend to anyone seeking to help local kids to contact CBC and either become a foster parent, become a mentor or provide donations of whatever kind you are able to offer whether it be services or products.
Call 407-333-8256 or visit www.cbcseminole.org
Make a difference in a child's life! You'll be glad you did!

17-92 CRA Corridor

The 17-92 CRA corridor designation, running from 436 to Sanford is almost complete. Seminole County leads the way as usual in being proactive and innovative to encourage the redevelopment of this aging area. There are incentives for developers and owners for SEED grants and LEED certification and grants. The CRA will also help guide developers through the LEED certification process. This is a win-win situation where everyone benefits. The areas needing renovation and clean up get a fresh new face lift with grants available to owners and developers taking on the challenge to bring new life to the area.
Median work is also being done to beautify the corridor as well as new signage coming for public, municipal and government facilities.

I greatly look forward to the much needed improvements along this corridor.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is coming! As always, be sure to thank those who fight or have fought for freedom's sake everywhere!! God bless America and God bless our toops and veteran's. Thank you for all you've done and continue to do!!

"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day". (Wikipedia)

Tallahassee

My trip was "interesting" to say the least. I find it discouraging that there is so much finger pointing at the cities and counties because the state's budget is in such a mess. I don't see any state officials offering to take a pay cut, but rather cutting services to the most weak, vulnerable and those without a voice in our society - the disabled. While I believe everyone can cut back and trim off a lot of waste, I also believe the state can as well, but not to the detriment of the weakest ones. Especially not when I see us wasting dollars voting over things such as pregnant pigs.

Lake Mary Celebrates

Today I visited Lake Mary Celebrates for an hour and a half. The weather was beautiful and by 11:00AM the crowd was growing and enjoying the weather, the food, the artists and the soda pops dancers. What talent!
I left at 11AM to tend to my oldest daughter's 12th birthday event! They grow so fast! I encourage everyone to spend as much time as possible with thier families! When all else is said and done; your job and even Girl Scouts, your family will always be there and will always remember you when others have long forgotten. Treasure them!! There is nothing better you can give them than your time and love!
God bless!

Hometown Democracy?

Here's an excerpt from the web site "Floridians for Smarter Growth". Learn about what the so-called "Hometown Democracy" ammendment really does! Be educated and VOTE SMART! Visit www.flsmartergrowth.org

"Extreme special interests are promoting another irresponsible amendment to the Florida Constitution. Their so-called "Hometown Democracy" amendment - a statewide "Vote on Everything" initiative - would imperil Florida's prosperity. And they are trying to mislead Florida voters to gain support for an unworkable and dangerous idea.


Floridians know our unique quality-of-life is linked to a healthy environment. And we know we must plan and grow smarter than we have in the last decade. But the Vote on Everything amendment will require many Floridians to vote 200 to 300 times each year, deciding even the tiniest planning change. This will lead to far less planning, increased urban sprawl, much more traffic, higher property taxes, and anemic municipal services.


In fact, the net effect of the Vote on Everything amendment - a dead stop for smarter growth in Florida - will destroy our state's strong economy.


Soon, they'll have bought all the signatures they need to put the Vote on Everything amendment on the November 2008 ballot. We need your help to stop the state's most extreme special interests from destroying Floridians' unique quality-of-life.


Please take a few moments to review our Web site. Download our Smarter Growth petition here, sign it and mail it to our office.


And contact us - or sign up for email alerts - to get involved with Floridians for Smarter Growth."

Commuter Rail on the way!

Yes, commuter rail is well on it's way to Orlando! Maitland is the very first City to break ground and pour the train station platform slab. Counties and Cities have high hopes that commuter rail will be an economic stimulus as well as help the redevelopment of the 17-92 corridor, make travel easier and slow down urban sprawl.

Now if we could only get funding pushed up to our lifetime for the 436 flyover! Believe it or not the flyover will help encourage the redevelopment of the 436/434 intersection and surrounding areas that have suffered blight for so long... and are still waiting....
The traffic in that area is horrendous as any of us who travel it know. The City of Cassleberry is already making great strides on improving many areas along thier section of the 17-92 corridor. Let's keep the momentum going!

Easter Egg Hunt

Lake Mary will host, for it's residents, the first Egg Hunt in a lo-o-ng while!
March 22nd - Registration begins at 9AM and the egg hunt begins at 10AM. Have your kids bring thier baskets and don't forget your camera parents and grandparents!!

Hop on over!!!

Tallahassee Legislative Session

I am greatly looking forward to going to Tallahassee to attend the Legislative session and speaking to our state representatives on behalf of Lake Mary's tax payers like myself! I want to know where our tax dollars are going not only at the local level, but even moreso at the state level. I am very disappointed in the fact that severe cuts are being made to the senior citizens and disabled population. Developmentally disabled persons are losing necessary services in order to maintain a productive, healthy life. Group homes are closing, and necessary medical services that keep thier bodies functioning halfway normal are being taken away. And what of low income seniors with no family to care for them and very limited resources? Who will speak for the populations that cannot speak for themselves? These are the very people we should be caring for!
While I agree all budgets do have fat in them that can be cut, we should be cutting necessary services LAST - AFTER the fat.

Sidewalks and trash

About a month ago I began inquiring about the imcomplete sidewalks and excessive trash along Country Club. Country Club Road is a County Road so all maintenance falls under Seminole County Jurisdiction. Although Lake Mary has performed some cleanup on it's own, we are greatly lacking in manpower to handle all of it.
Seminole County has installed many sidewalks to date and if you visit their web site or talk to staff you will find that there are plans to continue in areas where access and right-of-way is available. For example, the bridge near Liberty Park would cost way too much to be replaced and widenened for a sidewalk so it's doubtful there will be one over the bridge.
As for the trash pick up I will keep asking and pestering them. Keep in mind they have limited staff as well for the large area (the whole county) they have to cover. But if you see some Seminole County workers out I would not hesitate to stop them about it or contact the staff directly at 407-665-5601 (Public Works).

Open House

The Lake Mary Events Center will have an open house for all residents of Lake Mary to come visit thier new facility.

Date: Sunday, March 9, 2008
Time: 2-4 PM


Please come enjoy!

Need your help

I need your help so I can help you! In this first year of my tenure I will diligently seek to meet with as many homeowners associations as I can as well as nieghborhoods without HOA's to discuss any concerns or suggestions you may have for our home, Lake Mary.
While I would love to have Town Hall meetings I am told that attempts in the past were not attended so there is much skepticism about trying again. I believe in trying different methods and one is to come to you at your convenience!

I do not wish for anyone in Lake Mary to feel forgotten, left out, neglected or uncared for.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone at 407-333-2453! Let's work TOGETHER!!
Regards,
Jo Ann Lucarelli

Support Our Troops

Want to send Valentines or letters to the Troops? Here's how - have your family make homemade cards (yes, no store bought cards)or even have some nieghbors get together and make a large batch of homemade cards - then go to www.valentinesfortroops.com OR www.anysoldier.com for addresses to mail them to. You can pick your branch of military to send to and you can also get ideas for care packages or order pre-made packages as well.
They all appreciate it more than you can imagine!! Keep them in your prayers!
God bless America and God bless our troops!!

Festival of the Arts

The 22nd annual Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts will be November 1st and 2nd 2008. Located at Oval Park just north of AAA on International PArkway in Heathrow/Lake Mary. Live entertainment is provided, a children's area, a Seminole County student art area and fine artists and crafters from all over Florida as well as nationwide.
Come enjoy! Visit http://www.lakemaryheathrowarts.com/ for more information.

We invite talented, fine artists to apply. We are searching for a 2008 poster artist and we need volunteers for hospitality and set up. Come join the fun and excitement and helping the community.

2008 Budget

To read the complete budget please go to: http://www.lakemaryfl.com/pdf/2008budget.pdf

Feel free to contact myself or the City manager if you have any questions or concerns.