State ethics probe moves forward

The Florida Commission on Ethics Wednesday ruled that there is probable cause to continue investigating a complaint filed by Vero Beach resident Eugene Benson against district 26 state Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, for failure to properly fill out financial disclosure forms from 2004 to 2008.

Haridopolos’ district consists of parts of Brevard, Indian River, Osceola and St. Lucie counties. A finding of probable cause is not a determination that a violation has occurred. Such a determination is made only after a full evidentiary hearing on the charges.

Haridopolos in filings with the commission claims he only became aware of the omissions when the complaint was filed in December. Since then, he has provided all the outstanding information and refiled the forms with corrections.

In a statement to the commission, Haridopolos said the errors and omissions were not intentional and asked that no further action be taken.

If Republicans maintain their majority in the Florida Senate, Haridopolos would be the incoming president. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and is unchallenged in Tuesday’s general election.

According to published reports, Haridopolos failed to disclose addresses of employers, bank accounts, stock ownership, car loans, an investment home and a secondary source of income from a consulting firm he owns.

In other action, the commission — on the grounds of legal insufficiency — dismissed a complaint against Michelle M. Heller, assistant state attorney for Orange-Osceola County.

City seeking parade float entries

The city of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department is accepting applications for the floats that will be showcased in the Saturday, Dec. 11, Festival of Lights Parade.

The theme for this year’s parade, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m., is “North Pole Fantasy.”

Anyone interested in participating in the parade can visit www.kissimmeeciviccenter.com and click on the link entitled, “Downloads” then select the option, “Festival of Lights Parade Application.”

The deadline to submit parade float applications is Monday, Nov. 29.

For more information or to request an application, call the Kissimmee Civic Center at 407-935-1412.

Workshop to be on disabilities and the workplace

Workforce Central Florida will host a seminar titled “Disabilities and the ADAAA,” at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, at its administrative office, 707 Mendham Blvd., Suite 250, Orlando.

The November workshop is presented by Joanne Lambert, partner in the Orlando office of Jackson Lewis LLP.

This seminar will address important changes under the ADAAA and steps employers should take to comply.

For those unable to attend in person, follow @WCF_HR_Network on Twitter for live event tweets – http://twitter.com/wcf_hr_network.

Seating for the seminar is limited and advance registration is required. To register, call 407-531-1222 or visit www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com.

High speed rail forum

The Florida Department of Transportation will host an industry forum on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 8-9, to inform business groups, economic development organizations and elected officials about the progress of Florida's high-speed rail project.

The industry forum will showcase the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail project and the economic opportunities it will bring to the region. The forum will include opportunities for companies from around the world to network and identify potential partnerships.

On Monday, pre-forum networking will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a project overview offered from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the forum will focus on station site updates and networking.

The forum will be at the Orange County Convention Center. Chapin Theater, West Concourse, Hall C, 9800 International Drive, Orlando.

Go to www.floridahighspeedrail.org or contact Dick Kane at 850-414-4595 or dick.kane@dot.state.fl.us for more information or to register.

Language center receives national accreditation

The Intensive English Program at the Valencia Community College Center for Global Languages has received a one-year accreditation by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation.

CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. Accreditation by CEA certifies that Valencia's program meets the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions, which have been accepted by the profession as good practice in instruction and administration of English language programs. Valencia is one of only five community colleges in the United States to have earned this accreditation and one of only two schools in Orlando.

Students from all over the world study at the Intensive English Program to improve their English and understanding of American culture. The Intensive English Program offers nine levels of English from beginner to advanced to help students become fluent in conversational English and practice all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Last year, the program had 1,498 enrollments, with students from 45 different countries.  

For more information on the Intensive English Program, contact Lisa Eli, director of Continuing and International Education, at leli@valenciacc.edu or 407-582-6649.

For information about the CEA accreditation, visit www.cea-accredit.org.