Colón amends ethics complaint

Jose Colón, the no-party candidate for Osceola County Commission district 4 in the recent election, has filed an amended complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics against Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington for giving him incorrect voter addresses.

After filing his original complaint with the commission on Oct. 26, Colón determined that Bob Healy, a Democratic candidate in the same race who lost in the primary election, was also given voter addresses for the wrong district.

“What are the chances of the wrong voter data being given to me, as well as Mr. Healy, with Supervisor of Elections Mary Jane Arrington’s daughter-in-law, Kristen Arrington, managing my opponent’s – Don Miers’ – campaign?” Colon stated in a press release.

“Mrs. Arrington is trying to mislead the public by claiming that this was all a mistake by one her employees. What we have is a disturbing pattern of negligence at the Supervisor of Elections Office and Mrs. Arrington;  I am asking the Commission on Ethics to investigate these matters. It is imperative that the electoral process in Osceola County is fair and impartial.”

Burn bans lifted

In light of the Keetch-Byram Drought Index currently registering below 500, the burn bans in Osceola County and the city of Kissimmee have been lifted temporarily.

However, the threat for wildfire is still possible based on the current dry, windy weather conditions. Additionally, it is expected that the burn bans will be reinstated within the month if the current dry weather patterns continue.

Lynx public meeting planned

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, or Lynx, will hold a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss and collect public input regarding the future of bus service in Central Florida during the next 20 years.

The Lynx 2030 Paw Print master plan meeting will be at the Lynx Central Station Administrative Building, Second Floor Board Room, 455 N. Garland Ave., Orlando.

Participants will see map displays and a formal presentation featuring proposed plans. A question-and-answer session will follow. Transit service on the following corridors will be included in the discussion: Walt Disney World Resort – International Drive; Orange Avenue; U.S. Highway 192: Kissimmee – St. Cloud; and Kissimmee – Vine Street.

Rentas to be sworn in Tuesday

The city of Kissimmee will hold a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Commissioner Wanda Rentas at 6 p.m. Tuesday during the City Commission meeting at City Hall, 101 N. Church St.

Orange County Judge Wilfredo Martinez will deliver the oath of office. The ceremony is open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend. Rentas will represent seat 2.

Swearing in at County Commission to be Tuesday

Frank Attkisson, Osceola County commissioner-elect in district 4, and John Quiñones, re-elected to district 2, both Republicans, will be sworn into office Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the commission chambers on the fourth floor of the county administration building at Courthouse Square.

School Board members to be sworn in Tuesday

New Osceola County School Board members will be sworn in at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the board meeting room at the Osceola County School District Administrative Center, 817 Bill Beck Blvd., Kissimmee.

Immediately following the ceremonies for Barbara Horn, Tom Long, and Jay Wheeler, a brief reception will be held in the lobby. Wheeler was re-elected while Horn and Long are new to the board. The School Board meeting will begin at 5 p.m.

Road closure in St. Cloud

The city of St. Cloud Public Services staff has announced the closure of 14th Street, from Dakota Avenue to Vermont Avenue, from Nov. 15 until mid-January.

Crews will coordinate with residents located in this segment of 14th Street to maintain accessibility. The closure is due to the construction of a sanitary sewer main.

“This sanitary sewer line will be installed to better serve the public and to update existing sanitary sewer systems,” Engineering Assistant Corey Clough said.

Crews will start work at 14th Street and Dakota Avenue and will work east toward Vermont Avenue. Once crews reach Vermont Avenue, lane shifts on Vermont Avenue will be necessary to perform installation of the sewer. The southbound traffic lane will be shifted to the turn lane for approximately 300 feet. The sidewalk will then be removed, followed by the installation of the sanitary sewer pipe. Restoration of the pavement areas and sidewalk will be the final stage of the project.

Lane shifts, when needed, will be conducted Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The lane shift will be restored nightly for normal traffic flow, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Subsequent notifications will be issued if work conditions change. Maintenance of traffic will be set up to ease traffic congestion. Be aware of flagmen, traffic control devices and changing traffic patterns in the area and use caution in this area to protect the safety of motorists and workers.

For more information on this project, call 407-957-7344.