September 2020

When storm damage puts communities in crisis, our Lakeland Electric team answers the call. On August 27, Hurricane Laura made landfall as a damaging Category 4 hurricane in Louisiana. Our mutual aid team was already on its way to provide assistance. The hurricane caused extensive damage and tied with the 1856 Last Island Hurricane as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana.

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) is proud to announce that after a revaluation of the department’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification (PPC) score that took place in June 2020, the department has retained its ISO PPC score of a 1.
The department has been rated a 1 since 2015. 
Q&A with Tony Camarillo
Director of RP Funding Center

Is the RP Funding Center open for business?
Yes! We are certainly open for business. We’ve had several consumer events over the past few months for which we have implemented full COVID-related protocols.

With the event industry taking a hit across the world, what efforts are you and your staff taking to make sure promoters, clients and staff are safe when attending an event at the RP Funding Center?
We have implemented everything from temperature checks, to requiring masks, placement of social distancing signage and hand sanitizing stations throughout the building. All set-ups take into account pre and post-show cleaning and social distanced seating. We’ve posted our complete list of guidelines and protocols on our website and throughout social media over the past several months.

In July, Fancy Flea was one of your first events back online. How did you and your team make it successful?
With our COVID protocols in place; including temperature checks, social distancing, and face mask requirements, and working closely with the show promoter, we were successful in providing a safe environment for our client, patrons and staff.

The RP Finding Center hosted Repticon on September 5-6. What made this event so successful?
As with the Fancy Flea, we continued to execute our COVID protocols. In addition, Repticon chose to limit capacity using a timed-ticketing approach.

What are some of the other community events coming to the RP Funding Center now through December?
We have a variety of events scheduled including Buckler Arts & Craft Fair, Lakeland VW Classic, Axios Church Services, Deb’s Gym NPC Ultimate Muscle Extravaganza, Collectorama, Sewing & Quilting Expo and several Cheer and Dance events. A full listing of our upcoming events can be found at www.rpfundingcenter.com
 
Lakes and Stormwater's Aquatic Plant Harvester has a New Name

Say hello to “The Invasive Aquatic Chomper” or “Aquatic/Aqua Chomper” for short! Congratulations to Isaac Kendricks of Mrs. Pourroy’s 5th-grade class at Excel Christian Academy on submitting the winning name in our recent boat naming contest!

Congratulations also to our five honorable mention winners who kept with the “Chomp” theme, Uel Tusher (“Sir Chomps a Lot”), Marcia Rountree (Chompo), Barbara Chronis (Chomp), Paul B. (Chomp-Chomp), and Nellda Reifsnyder (CHOMP).

Thank you to everyone who sent name suggestions for our new aquatic plant harvester. With over 180 name submissions, it was a tough decision for our Lakes & Stormwater team to make! We especially loved the responses we got from Lakeland's 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade classes and we also appreciated the outstanding artwork submitted along with name suggestions.

Our winner, Isaac, will receive a $100 gift card and a special goodie bag. The honorable mention winners will each receive $25 gift cards and a goodie bag. 
 
CITY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Resolution 20-037 Requiring Face Coverings in Indoor Public Locations was passed on September 8th with a 4-3 vote by the Lakeland City Commission. The Resolution became effective on 9/8/2020 at 5 p.m. and shall expire at 5 p.m. on 10/5/2020 unless extended by further action of the City Commission.

FREE Masks are available at eight sites within Lakeland City limits to Lakeland-area residents who need facial coverings to help protect themselves and others from spreading the COVID-19 virus. The City of Lakeland has designated the following locations for mask distribution that will take place Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and residents can receive up to three masks per person.

  • Simpson Park Community Center – 1725 Martin L King Jr Avenue
  • Lakeland Main Library – 100 Lake Morton Drive
  • Lakeland Larry Jackson Branch Library – 1700 North Florida Avenue
  • eLibrary South Lakeland - 4740 S Florida Avenue
  • Lakeland Police Department Lobby – 219 North Massachusetts Avenue
  • Kelly Recreation Complex/Gandy Pool – 404 Imperial Boulevard
  • Coleman-Bush Building – 1104 Martin L King Jr Avenue 
  • Lakeland Chamber of Commerce - 35 Lake Morton Drive
Florida Dept. of Health Dashboard
To keep Florida residents and visitors safe, informed and aware about the status of the coronavirus, the Florida Department of Health has launched a COVID-19 dashboard. As of Friday, September 18th, there are 677,660 total Florida COVID-19 cases with 18,915 in Polk County and 6,145 in Lakeland. These daily reports reflect the state’s efforts to accurately and transparently share information.
Shape Your Future. Start here.

2020 Census numbers affect all aspects of our community. They affect school lunch programs. plans for roads and highways, as well as support for firefighters and families in need. 2020 Census results will affect our community every day for the next ten years. The last day to take the 2020 Census is September 30th.

Polk County residents who are not registered to vote, but would like to participate in the November 3rd General Election, have until October 5th to submit their completed voter registration form to the Elections Headquarters in Bartow or to the Operations Center in Winter Haven. You may click here for the Onlne Registration Form Link to make any changes to your records for the November 3rd Election. For more information, visit PolkElections.com or call 863.534.5888.

3 EASY WAYS TO VOTE:
  • Vote by Mail: To request a mail-in ballot, (click here) 
  • Vote at Your Precinct: (click here to check your polling location) Polls are open 7am to 7pm on Election Day.
  • Vote Early In-Person: Vote at one of the nine convenient locations October 19th - November 1st — Early Voting hours: 7am - 7pm 
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