Van Meter now in Kissimmee race

Jeanne Van Meter, a former Kissimmee city commissioner, this week filed to run in the city election for seat 2.

Other candidates in the non-partisan race include suspended commissioner Carlos Irizarry, John Cortes and Wanda Y. Rentas. The election is Aug. 24 and a run-off, if needed, would coincide with the Nov. 2 general election.

Van Meter in 2008 ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the Osceola County Commission district 3 seat. She lost in the primary.

Gov. Charlie Crist May 28 suspended Irizarry following his arrest May 27 in Orange County for aggravated assault for allegedly waiving a handgun in public at his estranged wife during an argument.

Irizarry on Wednesday morning said he would remain in the race despite the suspension. If Irizarry were to win the office while still facing a felony charge, he would immediately be suspended from office by the governor.

KUA to host Hurricane Preparedness Expo

To assist residents in preparing for hurricane season, Kissimmee Utility Authority will host the 2010 Osceola Hurricane Preparedness Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Residents who attend the free expo can learn ways to protect their home and loved ones from a potential disaster. The expo will feature presentations from emergency responders on power restoration, generator safety, tree trimming, debris collection and county and city disaster response. The format also will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions.

More than 20 exhibitors are expected to participate, including representatives from KUA, city of Kissimmee, Toho Water Authority, University of Florida's IFAS Osceola County Extension and South Florida Water Management District. Emergency response vehicles will also be on display.

Those who attend will receive a printed copy of the utility's 2010 Osceola Hurricane Handbook. The 40-page guide includes practical tips to prepare for hurricanes and floods, plus helpful Osceola County telephone numbers, a disaster supplies checklist and a hurricane tracking chart.

All residents are encouraged to attend, especially those who are new to the area or inexperienced in dealing with hurricanes.

Refreshments will be served and those who attend will be eligible for several storm-related door prizes.

The Kissimmee Civic Center is at 201 E. Dakin Ave. in downtown Kissimmee.

Traffic switch on Poinciana Boulevard

The Poinciana Boulevard Phase II widening project now has a new traffic pattern.

Kraft Construction Company on Wednesday switched northbound and southbound traffic from existing Poinciana Boulevard to the newly constructed southbound lanes from the beginning of the project just south of Crescent Lakes Way to 1,200 feet north of Octavia Boulevard.

The traffic will then transition back to the existing Poinciana Boulevard 1,200 feet north Octavia Boulevard.  

Message boards are in place to notify the public of the traffic pattern. Motorists are urged to use caution when approaching these areas.

For more information, contact the Osceola County Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.

Training session offered on water conservation

The South Florida Water Management District is hosting its second free training session for prospective Florida Water Star residential certifiers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday in St. Cloud.

The two-day workshop will feature an overview of the water conservation program’s three residential tiers — Gold, Silver and Bronze — along with hands-on field training in the Florida Water Star inspection process. The program will be at the South Florida Water Management District’s St. Cloud Field Office, 3800 Old Canoe Creek Road.

Sponsored by Florida’s three largest water management districts, Florida Water Star is a points-based recognition program for residential properties that encourages water efficiency in household appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes. The water district is piloting the program along its northern boundary, primarily in the Orlando area and in Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The workshop is the first step toward becoming a Florida Water Star residential certifier. During the training session, prospective certifiers will learn about program criteria, the role and responsibilities of the certifier and the process for completing certifier training, including testing.

More information on Florida Water Star is available at www.floridawaterstar.com.

Attendees should have a basic knowledge of irrigation systems, landscape design and/or plumbing and indoor water use and be familiar with other certification programs. Certifiers in other programs, such as LEED or Energy Star may find this training especially useful and could soon be offering water use evaluations and Florida Water Star certifications as a value-added benefit to their customers.

Contact Jesus Rodriguez, South Florida Water Management District Lead Water Conservation Officer, at jerodrig@sfwmd.gov or 561-682-6060.

Army Corps to have regulatory open house

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Regulatory Division, will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 9 at the Airport Marriott, 7499 Augusta National Drive, Orlando.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information and to register for any of the open house sessions, visit www.usacejacksonvilleregulatory.com. Pre-registration is requested but not required.

This is the fourth annual open house event, which provides an opportunity for the public to learn about current regulatory issues and to meet with and provide input to members of the regulatory team. This year’s event will feature an opening general session, followed by an informal poster session that will focus on issues specific to each open house location and provide an opportunity for participants to talk one-on-one with Corps regulatory project managers and leaders. Federal and state agencies with roles and responsibilities in protection of the aquatic environment have been invited to participate at each location as well.

The Jacksonville District administers the largest regulatory permitting program in the Corps, covering the state of Florida and the Caribbean. The program protects waters of the United States, including federally delineated wetlands and navigable waters by regulating dredge and fill activities and the placement of structures in waterways.

For more information, visit the district’s website at www.saj.usace.army.mil and click on the Regulatory Division link.

Schoolfield firm negotiates leases

Alicia Spina, of Schoolfield Properties, recently negotiated 1,200 square feet of office space for a term of one year to Prestige Communications, located at 4253 13th St. in the Oak Park Shopping Center, at the intersection of 13th Street and Old Canoe Creek Road, St. Cloud.

Spina also recently negotiated 2,400 square feet of warehouse space for a term of one year to Quantum Computer Solutions at 2775 G Old Dixie Highway, at Old Dixie Industrial Park at the intersection of Osceola Parkway and Old Dixie Highway.

Kevin Schoolfield recently negotiated an additional 2,667 square feet of medical office space for five years to St. Cloud Regional Medical Center, located at 2900 17th St., in the Medical Arts Building at the intersection of Budinger and 17th Street.

Yoannya Garcia, of Schoolfield Properties, on behalf of William Frakes, trustee, recently negotiated 1,300 square feet of office space for one year to Nodarse & Associates, at 804 Emmett St., Kissimmee.

Schoolfield Properties’ James Mangan recently negotiated 2,400 square feet of retail space for a term of five years to One Eyed Grouper and Oyster Bar, at 4221 13th St., in the Oak Park Shopping Center, St. Cloud.

Bakery coming to Kissimmee

Crossman & Company recently negotiated a five-year lease agreement for 1,600 square feet of retail space at 1261 W. Osceola Parkway, off John Young Parkway, in Kissimmee.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, said associate Whitaker Leonhardt negotiated the lease agreement with the tenant, Pannoli International Gourmet, on behalf of the landlord, Osceola Corporate Center.

Leonhardt said Pannoli International is an International bakery specializing in gourmet baked goods and coffee.

“Owner Pasquale D’Angelone is an experienced restaurant operator and his concept will complement the strong tenant mix that exists at the Osceola Corporate Center. Adding tenants to this center is a good sign for the Osceola County retail market,” Leonhardt said.

Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in the Southeast with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management.