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A LETTER FROM YOUR MAYOR – June, 2009 My Fellow Neighbors…. As we start the summer season, I hope this Newsletter finds all of you well. And I want to take a moment to remind everyone that now is the time to prepare for any potential bad weather. A supply of batteries, flashlights, water, a radio, food and your prescriptions are just some of the things that you should have readily available. And while we are talking about safety….. SLOW DOWN AND OBEY OUR SPEED LIMITS! I want to urge everyone to SLOW DOWN, ESPECIALLY ON THE DIRT ROADS. The speed limit is 15 miles per hours on the dirt roads and the number one complaint that I, our staff and police receive is regarding speeding in our residential areas. This means that it is most likely our residents, young drivers in the household and their guests. In a recent council meeting residents expressed their concerns and OUR POLICE ARE GOING TO INCREASE OUR PATROLS ON THE SIDE STREETS. Let me reinforce that statement. OUR POLICE ARE GOING TO INCREASE OUR PATROLS ON THE SIDE STREETS. Here are some of the other things that are going on in your town. THE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INTERSECTION WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL EARLY FALL. We had hoped that we could make the improvements while school was out for summer recess, but a right of way acquisition delay kept us from moving forward. We also cannot go to bid until the new fiscal year for the Florida Department of Transportation starts, which is July 1, since federal funding is paying a major portion of this improvement. Construction should take approximately 4 weeks depending on the weather. THE IMPROVEMENTS AT JOHNSON PARK WILL HELP US TO PRESERVE LAKE QUALITY. You have probably noticed that Johnson Park (on Sixth Avenue) is undergoing a transformation. A large storm water retention area is being created that will retain water from the surrounding areas. We have already completed improvements at Eighth Avenue and Forest Street. And we have just awarded the contract for the next series of improvements at Down Drive, First Avenue and North Oakdale, and Twelfth Avenue and Oakdale. MATCHING GRANTS ARE ALLOWING US TO FUND THESE IMPROVEMENTS. JOHNSON PARK IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF MANY PARK IMPROVEMENTS. In the coming months you will see some great additions to our parks. A new pier will be built on Lake Down at the end of Fourth Avenue. An asphalt pathway will circle Central Park along with fencing, added landscaping and expanded parking. MAJOR PORTIONS OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY A GRANT. YOUR TOWN COUNCIL VOTED TO ACCEPT THE BUTLER BAY RECREATION COMPLEX. This 10 acre area is comprised of three tennis courts, a community building, a parking lot, island, bridge and pier. In addition to providing the property to the town at no cost, the Butler Bay Homeowners Association also agreed to provide $25,000 towards the cost of renovation. This will almost double the amount of park land in Windermere. The town is now finalizing the documentation to accept ownership. DO YOU HAVE LAKEFRONT PROPERTY? In discussions with the Marine Patrol who patrol our lakes, one challenge they have is being able to identify properties from the lake should they have to respond or see something suspicious. One thing that they say would help would be to post your address on your dock or boathouse. It’s something to think about…. WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEEK GRANTS THAT WE CAN USE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR TOWN for traffic, pedestrian safety and storm water management. In these economic times, it is important for us to strive to obtain as much grant money as possible. Wishing you a very safe and enjoyable summer and I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PANCAKE BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY, JULY 4TH! Don’t forget that you can read all of the latest news by visiting my web site: http://www.windermeremayor.com Gary Bruhn Your Mayor