Kissimmee city manager has new assistant

The city of Kissimmee Monday announced that Gabriel De Jesus has been hired as the assistant to the city manager.

De Jesus joined the city’s administrative team at the end of January, according to Carla Banks, city spokeswoman.

De Jesus has lived in Kissimmee since 1988 and is a graduate of Osceola High School. He attended the University of Florida, earning an undergraduate degree in economics and public policy and a graduate degree in ur-ban and re-gional planning. As a graduate student, De Jesus participated in the Network for European and U.S. Regional and Urban Studies fellowship program.

In 2006, De Jesus worked as an intern in the city’s Development Services Department. He later returned to the area in 2009 to assist Osceola County with drafting its local hazard mitigation strategy, which was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Most recently, De Jesus worked on the election campaign of County Commissioner Frank Attkisson. De Jesus also was appointed by Attkisson as a district 4 representative to the County Charter Review Committee but he will be replaced due to his employment by the city.

As the assistant to the city manager, De Jesus will support the manager and assistant city manager with the daily operations of the city and oversee special projects with citywide implications.

“I considered jobs in other states, but accepting this position in my hometown is the perfect fit,” De Jesus stated in a city press release. “I am looking forward to a challenging and rewarding career with this community.”

Dominican independence to be celebrated

The independence of the Dominican Republic will be celebrated with a program at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, in front of the Osceola County Historic Court-house.

“As diverse as our community is, those of Dominican descent are a relevant part of economical, social and political life in Osceola County and neighboring municipalities,” spokesman Jaime Matos said.

Matos extended an invitation for the community to participate in the ceremony and to enjoy music and art related to the Dominican culture.

Deadline extended for refuge comments

The comment period for the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area has been extended through March 31.

To have your comments, ideas or concerns included in the development of the draft Land Protection Plan and associated National Environmental Policy Act document for this proposal, fax to 321-861-1276, e-mail to EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov or send by U.S. mail to Everglades Headwaters Proposal, PO Box 2683, Titusville, FL 32781-2683.

For more information on the proposal, visit www.fws.gov/southeast/greatereverglades/ or call 321-86-2368.

Virtual job fair begins March 14

Workforce Central Florida will host a Virtual Job Fair Monday, March 14, to Friday, March 18.

It’s a 24-hour-a-day online recruiting event that showcases jobs from entry level to top management. All job seekers are invited to connect with employers who are looking to hire new employees for a wide range of positions.

From the privacy and convenience of a computer with Internet access, job seekers simply need to log on, review a variety of job listings and post their résumés using the résumé format tool on the website.  There is no cost to participate. Job seekers will not be able to register until the first day of the fair, Monday, March 14. The site is www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/jobfair.

There is no cost for a basic package, which includes virtual booth with space for company logo, unlimited job postings, company profile and electronic copies of resumes collected.

For $300, companies may purchase a featured booth that include all of the benefits of the basic booth, plus being one of four featured employers, company logo on the Virtual Job Fair home page and throughout the site and a direct link from the home page to company job postings.

For more information, visit www.WorkforceCentralFlorida.com/jobfair, e-mail jobfair@wcfla.com or call 407-531-1222.

IHOP pancake day to help Children’s Miracle Network

In celebration of National Pancake Day, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. participating IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and donations for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever before, with a goal to raise $2.3 million, for a total of more than $7.65 million six years with its National Pancake Day fundraising effort. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Perkins Pancake Day to benefit Give Kids The World

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery recently announced that more than 420 of its locations will join together on Monday, March 21, for a system-wide fundraiser benefiting Give Kids The World. The nonprofit organization provides week-long vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families at a retreat in Kissimmee.

Guests dining at participating restaurants on Perkins Pancake Day can enjoy a free short stack of Perkins made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes; in return, guests can consider making a donation to Give Kids The World.

For more information, visit www.perkinsrestaurants.com.