Vacation Plans

I rI Received this from OCSO, Wanted to pass it along...... Dave

*** Holiday Travel Safety***

The Orange County Sheriff's Office wants you to enjoy your vacation destination before, during and after your trip.  Please take the time to follow some of the simple precautions and recommendations to make your travel and destination choice not only safe but fun for you and your family.

Ø  Always report any suspicious activity.  You may do so by calling 407-836-HELP (4357) for non emergency or 9-1-1 for any emergency.  Both are operational 24/7.

Ø  Always lock your vehicle and take all valuables with you. These items may include GPS, cell phone, loose change, and compact disc and other electronics to name a few. 

Ø  Set your vehicle alarm if you have one.  In addition to locking you vehicle doors, make sure if your vehicle has a latch to open a trunk or cargo area, and if it is equipped with a lock feature that you use it.

Ø  Do not announce on your email auto response that you are on vacation with the dates you are leaving or returning.  This includes both work and personal emails.  If you must leave an auto response reply it should contain as little information as possible. Example: I am currently away and periodically checking my emails.  If you need an immediate response, please contact Jane Doe at407-555-5555.

Ø  Do not announce to the whole community that you will be gone on vacation. This would include by word of mouth, voice mail and social networking sites (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc) Only let a few select and trusted friends or family members know so they can check the home for you.

Ø  Do not update your travel plans on social networking sites.  Example: We are having a blast in the islands… we go snorkeling tomorrow. Wishing you was here.  See you in two weeks. 

Ø  Turn down the ringer on your phone so it can’t be heard from the outside

Ø  Periodically retrieve your home messages so your voice mail does not get full.  This could be another indicator you are not home. 

Ø  Do a maintenance check of your alarm system prior to your departure.  Make sure they have updated contact information to include how to reach you as well as a trusted friend or relative in the area.

Be kind to your neighbors

With the weather breaking and you are out for your walks and you decide to take "Fidow" out with you and "Fidow" gets the urge to use your neighbors yard for a bathroom, do the neighbor a favor and take a bag with you and pick up the "deposits", the neighbor should not have to do it. Thank you, and I know your neighbors will like it too,,,,,,, Dave

Up Coming Holidays

With the Holiday season fast approaching, and who out there don’t think that you could use a good vacation?

            Here is a few pointers that can be done to make your home just a little safer, so when you return it is in the same condition as when you left. 

           Have your paper stopped, or have a neighbor pick it up as early as possible, just to make sure several papers do not end up in your driveway. This sends a “Red Flag” up saying “no one home”.

          Mail is another important “Red Flag”. You can have the mail stopped and started very easy. Or you can have one of your neighbors pick up your mail, after all you could return the favor, and do the same for them.

          Pick up a timer for a lamp, or even two of them, that will go on and off at different times in different parts of your home. Put them where they will do the most good.

          Give your neighbor some phone numbers where you can be reached, and some phone numbers locally, if possible, just incase your neighbor needs to reach someone in a hurry.

           Please tell your neighbor if you will be having anybody come to your home to do anything, and what kind of vehicle they will be driving.

            Speaking of vehicles, don’t forget to remove any valuables and LOCK them up. Most of the items that were removed came from an unlocked vehicle.

            Now all of this has been done, go on that needed vacation and have a wonderful time, take plenty of pictures.

Water Restrictions

OC Utilities Announces One-Day-a-Week Watering Restrictions beginning November 4th

The End of Daylight Savings Marks the Beginning of One-Day-a-Week Watering for Orange County and Continued Steps to Water Conservation for Orange County Utilities

By limiting the number of days of irrigation during Eastern Standard Time, Orange County Utilities has seen a decrease in water usage by its customers.

Orange County, FL – Sunday, November 4 will begin Orange County Utilities’ third year of one-day-a-week watering restrictions for Orange County. In order to comply with the rules of St. Johns River and South Florida Water Management Districts, Orange County adopted Water Conservation Ordinance No. 2010-02 limiting the number of days and hours irrigation can occur each week. Since adopting the ordinance, Orange County Utilities has seen a substantial drop in water usage for the county.

“We are pleased that since the implementation of the one-day-a-week watering restrictions during the cooler months of the year, the average homeowner has reduced irrigation watering by 4,000 gallons per year,” said Jacqueline Torbert, manager for Orange County Utilities’ Water Division. “Grass goes dormant during this time of year so the need for irrigation decreases tremendously. This should put customers at ease when it comes to the health of their yard.”

From Sunday, November 4, 2012, to Sunday, March 10, 2013, homes and nonresidential properties in Orange County are asked not to water between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the following days: homes with odd-numbered or no addresses water only on Saturday, homes with even-numbered addresses water only on Sunday, and nonresidential properties water only on Tuesday. Watering is restricted to no more than one hour per zone. These restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water, and water from public and private utilities.

For more information, please visit www.OCConserveWater.net or send an email to Water.Division@ocfl.net.Orange County Utilities Water Division is also available at 407-254-9850 (select option 1, then option 2).

Time change information

Here is some information on the time change, hope you have a great day..... Dave

PLAN NOW for this change. Here are some simple tips to keep you and your family safe during the fall back time transition.
Personal Safety:1. While the time will change your normal routine such as going to work, school or other activities may not.
2. Please remember there will be an adjustment period when you leave for the day during your regular time in the morning. The surrounding area may look very different due to the time change.
3. Activities such as students, pedestrians. bicyclist and runners will still be present. Please remain alert while driving and pay extra attention to school zones.
4. Extra attention should be focused on areas where children and young adults travel to school. Remember to be alert for crossing guards.
5. Small children should be walked to school by an adult or taken by vehicle.
6. Speed limit postings should be strictly observed in all areas. Stay alert while driving by parked vehicles as children and pedestrians may not immediately be visible. Remember: Your reaction time may be greater during the darker hours. Also remain alert for pets and wildlife.7. Students, pedestrians, walkers, runners and bicyclist should wear clothing that allows them to be visible. This may include: reflective strips, clothing, vest, etc. A small flashlight for visibility should be carried.
8. Those operating Bicycles, Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (Segways), etc should be visible and comply with all applicable laws.

Preventative Measures:
1. In addition to checking your smoke detector batteries. The back-up batteries for your intrusion detection and or fire suppression system should be checked.
2. Alarm system sensors and other features should be checked to make sure it is in working order.
3. Codes, passwords, responder information and phone numbers should be updated with your alarm company.
4. Lights on timers should be reset for both interior and exterior lighting. All lights should be checked for damage and burned out bulbs. They should be immediately repaired or replaced.
5. Exterior door locks should be checked with a key and proper maintenance should be done. Locks should also be checked for damage and corrosion. Keys should be tried at least once a week for preventative maintenance. This should include the interior garage door leading into your home.
6. All windows should be checked to make sure they are in good working order and operational. Window locks should be checked for tampering and corrosion. Window screens should also be checked for tampering or damage. These should be fixed or replaced immediately.
7. Garage door opener remote batteries should all be replaced. The garage door rollers and springs should also be checked and maintenance should be done. This should only be done by a trained professional.8. Replace the battery for your vehicle remote/alarm entry system.
9. Check and properly dispose of expired medications.

Information can be found at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm

Early Voting

Early Voting begins Saturday, October 27, 2012.  Ten centers are available to eligible voters through Saturday, November 3, 2012.  Florida law requires voters to present signature and photo identification when checking in to Early Vote.  If a voter has moved since the last elections - especially if they've crossed county lines - they are encouraged to call 407-836-VOTE (8683) to update their registration record prior to visiting the Early Voting Center.

Early Voting Locations and hours of operations are:

Alafaya Branch Library, 12000 East Colonial Drive, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

Apopka Community Center & VFW, 519 S. Central Avenue, Apopka (8am-8pm)

Orlando Public Library (Downtown), 101 E. Central Blvd, Orlando (8am-8pm M-Th, 8am-6pm F-Sat, 1pm-6pm Sun)

South Creek Branch Library, 1702 Deerfield Blvd, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

Southeast Branch Library, 5575 S. Semoran Blvd, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

Southwest Branch Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

Supervisor of Elections Office, 119 W. Kaley St, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

Washington Park Branch Library, 5151 Raleigh St, Suite A, Orlando

(8am-8pm)

West Oaks Branch Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Rd, Ocoee

(8am-8pm)

Winter Park Library, 460 E. New England Ave, Winter Park

(8am-8pm)

Bogus letters question Florida voters' citizenship

Please be careful on this.... Dave

The state has launched a criminal investigation of bogus letters sent to at least dozens of Florida voters suggesting they won't be allowed to vote unless they prove they are U.S. citizens.

The letters, received by voters in at least 23 counties so far, falsely claim to be from county elections supervisors and demand proof of citizenship within 15 days.

"This is voter intimidation 14 days out from a presidential election," said Brevard CountySupervisor of Elections Lori Scott. "The fear is they won't contact their supervisors. It looks official, and they're going to think, 'Well, I can't vote.'"

Most of those who have contacted elections officials after receiving the letter are Republicans, were born in the United States and are regular voters. At least some — including all of the reported recipients in Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties — have contributed to the Republican Party or Republican candidates.

"Since I'm a senior citizen and I've voted since I was 21, I was a little surprised," said Orlando resident Diane Parker, a GOP donor and volunteer who found the letter in her mailbox on Friday.

Parker thought the letter was legitimate, but a bureaucratic mistake. The letterhead said "Supervisor of Elections," and the envelope said "County Supervisor, Division of Elections." But it was postmarked from Seattle.

The letter says the Florida Division of Elections has provided information about the recipients' citizenship status, and that "registering to vote under fraudulent conditions or swearing a false oath are both third-degree felonies in Florida."

The mailing asks recipients to bring original documents proving citizenship to their elections office, and also included a "Voter Eligibility Form" asking for personal information.

In Central Florida, four Brevard voters reported receiving the letter, along with three in Orange, and one each in Seminole and Osceola counties.

The fake letters follow the state's own effort to purge voter rolls of noncitizens last spring. The state released a list of 2,600 registered voters identified as noncitizens and told elections supervisors to write them demanding proof of citizenship. The list was riddled with errors and a court battle ensued; the final tally included 198 names.

In an email to supervisors on Monday, Secretary of State Ken Detzner asked that all reports of the bogus letters be forwarded to the state for investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

"The Department of State takes this possible act of voter intimidation and fraudulent activity very seriously and is pursuing all avenues to ensure the practice is immediately stopped, as we do with all attempts at voter intimidation or fraud," Detzner wrote.