Reappointed to planning council

Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday reappointed former Osceola County commissioner and property appraiser Atlee Mercer, of Kissimmee, to the East Central Regional Planning Council, Region Six.

Mercer, 68, was reappointed for a term that began June 21 and will end Oct. 1, 2012.

Mercer earlier this year was appointed by the Osceola County Commission to serve on the Osceola County Expressway Authority along with Bob Healy Jr.

Mercer’s planning council appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

SunRail meeting to be Tuesday

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad will conduct

a public meeting Tuesday regarding the SunRail project.

The meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Osceola County Administration Building, Kissimmee.

The meeting is intended for all partners in the proposed project to understand their respective obligations and to obtain additional public input that will be considered by Gov. Rick Scott in making his decision on whether to move forward with the project.

There also are meetings the same day at other nearby locations, including from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Orlando City Hall and from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Orange County Administration Building.

If you are not able to attend the meeting to comment, you can contact the governor and express your views. Mail your comments to: Gov. Rick Scott, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001; call 850-488-7146; or send an email to rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com.

O’Brien files to keep her judge seat

Heather K. O’Brien, of Kissimmee, has filed to run to continue as Osceola County Judge group 2 after being appointed to the office Aug. 2, 2010, by then-Gov. Charlie Crist.

Philip T. Dunlop, of Harmony, filed to run for the office earlier.

County judge races are non-partisan.

High temperatures, high bills

Near-record electricity consumption this week by customers of Kissimmee Utility Authority will likely lead to higher power bills in the coming weeks.

“As temperatures rise, so does demand for air conditioning,” utility spokesman Chris Gent said in a press release Thursday. “Our customers, on average, have used 10 percent more electricity this week than last.”

The heat wave combined with the lack of afternoon thunderstorms has forced air conditioners to work overtime, Gent said, adding that the resulting demand for electricity has increased significantly each day.

Recent demand totals include: Sunday, June 19 – 301.4 megawatts (MW); Monday, June 20 – 317.0 MW; and Tuesday, June 21 – 332.6 MW.

The utility’s all-time system peak is 338.8 megawatts, set Aug. 10, 2007.

KUA offers the following energy-saving tips that require little or no expense and can help to reduce summertime energy costs:

• Set the thermostat on the highest comfortable setting (KUA recommends 80 degrees). Raising the temperature just two degrees can reduce cooling costs by as much as 5 percent.

• Close blinds, shades or drapes during the hottest part of the day to block the sun’s heat.

• Remember that window air conditioning units generally are not designed to cool more than one room.

• Clean or replace window unit or central air conditioning system filters monthly. Dirty filters cause air conditioners to work harder and use more energy.

• Set pool pumps and automatic sprinklers to run in off-peak hours.

Lane closures on West Osceola Parkway extended

Due to recent rains, crews making asphalt repairs to West Osceola Parkway as part of the West Osceola Parkway Milling and Resurfacing project will need to extend the work schedule.

Drivers should note that work will now take place through Friday, from 8:30 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. nightly. The work will take place in designated areas from the State Road 417 interchange to Interstate 4 interchange. Message boards are in place to advise drivers of the project.

Motorists are urged to use caution when approaching these areas, as there will be temporary lane closures, but no road closures. Traffic delays can be expected. Schedules could vary according to weather and equipment-related issues.

For more information, contact David Barber, Osceola County Road and Bridge District Manager, at 407-742-7500.

Fred Hawkins Jr. appointed co-chair of FAC Committee

Incoming Florida Association of Counties statewide President Doug Smith recently appointed Osceola County Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr. as co-chairperson of FAC’s Finance, Transportation and Administration Policy Committee.

As a part of his duties, the president is authorized to appoint members of the association as chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the association’s various committees.

“I consider it an honor to have been appointed to this very important committee, and am truly appreciative of incoming President Doug Smith for thinking enough of me to allow me to serve in this position,” Hawkins said in a press release.

The Finance, Transportation and Administration Policy Committee is responsible for developing the association’s legislative policies and agenda with regards to matters related to county fiscal, transportation and administrative issues. The bulk of the committee’s work will take place in conjunction with the association’s two policy/legislative conferences to be held later this calendar year.

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

Lynx service during hurricanes

Now that the annual hurricane season has arrived, Lynx, the regional transportation agency, is reminding the community that all the transportation services it provides would be maintained as scheduled until sustained winds reach 35 mph on the ground or there is flooding.

If the high wind level is reached or there is flooding, Lynx fixed route, LYMMO, PickUpLine and Road Rangers service would be discontinued for safety reasons until conditions improve.

For the 12 hours before sustained winds are expected to reach 35 mph, Access Lynx would only be providing life-sustaining medical trips.

Lynx staff will monitor the effects of the storm and will keep the community up-to-date as the storm passes through the area via www.golynx.com, LYNX Customer Service 407-841-LYNX (5969) and local media outlets.