THE WRITE A LETTER CAMPAIGN
ORLANDO MAYOR RESPONDS TO
LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC
Response to Orlando Mayor Dyer
Please see sample
letter
The Large Group Feeding Law in Orlando and the Federal Court
Ruling.
SIGN THE ON-LINE PETITION Asking the city of Orlando to stop
arresting people for sharing food with the hungry.
THE LETTER FROM MAYOR BUDDY DYER EMAILED IN RESPONCE TO YOUR EMAILS
Thank you for your email and concern for meeting the needs of the
homeless population. My Chief of Staff, Frank Billingsley forwarded your
email to me because I wanted to personally respond. I want to make it
clear that I share your concern and I am committed to extending help and
opportunity to our homeless population.
While media reports may have inaccurately led you to believe the City
has banned homeless feeding programs in our City, nothing could be
further from the truth.
Just as the City of Orlando requires permits for a variety of gatherings
including parades and garage sales, the Orlando City Council passed an
ordinance in 2006 requiring a permit for large group feedings. This
ordinance is once again in the news because of a ruling resulting from a
2006 lawsuit filed against the City regarding this ordinance. On April
13, 2011 the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal upheld Orlando's Large
Group Feeding Ordinance, finding that it does not violate either the
First Amendment of the United States Constitution nor the Florida
Religious Freedom Restoration Act as some accused.
More specifically, the City of Orlando's ordinance requires a permit
which is provided at no cost to event organizers and will allow the City
to manage large group feedings in our public parks with advance notice,
ensuring the safety of our citizens through appropriate crowd control
and waste management preventing any possible health or safety hazards.
The Council's approval of this ordinance is not about whether or not to
feed the homeless it's about location. The City has designated an area
on Sylvia Lane for groups to set up feedings for the homeless, with
tables, benches, portolets and security. This designated area is within
blocks from community service agencies, providing easier access to
needed services.
The City of Orlando is committed to ensuring that feeding programs and
other services are available for the homeless in downtown, as well as
other areas of our community. In fact, there are a myriad of community
service agencies in Downtown Orlando where the homeless can get meals
everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to the daily
meals, these community agencies provide essential counseling, job
training, education and healthcare services that are needed to provide a
successful transition to self-sufficiency.
The regional issue of homelessness is a concern of the Orlando City
Council.ุทยข While social services do not fall underneath the City's
jurisdiction, the City is committed to ending homelessness in the
Central Florida region. In fact, in 2007, the Regional Commission on
Homelessness was formed in Central Florida consisting of 26 members
representing governments, nonprofits, the business community and civic
and religious organizations. In 2008, the Commission established a
permanent public-private partnership the Central Florida Commission on
Homelessness (CFCH) to enact Ten2End, a ten-year plan to end
homelessness in Central Florida by addressing gaps in existing programs
and identifies the practical steps necessary to prevent and end
homelessness effectively. In fact since the formation of the CFCH, the
Central Florida community has received an unprecedented amount of
funding and resources dedicated toward homeless services in the Orlando
area.
Ending homelessness remains a top priority for the City of Orlando and
the Central Florida region as we continue to work together to address
homelessness with a holistic approach focused on housing, prevention,
healthcare and supportive systems.
Again, thank you for writing me and please contact me if I can be of
assistance in the future.
A fact sheet is attached as well for quick reference about the
ordinance.
Sincerely,
Buddy Dyer Mayor
SIGN THE ON-LINE PETITION Asking the city of Orlando to stop
arresting people for sharing food with the hungry.
Please see sample
letter
THE WRITE A
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