THE WRITE A LETTER CAMPAIGN
ORLANDO MAYOR RESPONDS TO LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC




Response to Orlando Mayor Dyer

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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.

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Write Amnesty International, the United Nations and the Justice Department.

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SEND A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO Food Not Bombs - P.O. Box 424, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 USA or email to menu@foodnotbombs.net

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