Posts filed under 'General Announcements'
Posted: January 26, 2010: 12:46 pm
The Chamber joins with the community to welcome Dale Smith to his role as City Manager.
During its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, City Commissioners voted to name Dale L. Smith as City Manager for the City of Winter Haven.
Dale is no stranger to City Hall having begun his career with the City in 1978. City Manager Smith released the following statement.
“I’m pleased the City Commission is confident in my abilities by naming me the next City Manager for the City of Winter Haven. Over the span of 31 years, I have dedicated my career to the City. I have served as City engineer, Public Works Director, previous interim City Manager, Special Projects Manager and most recently as Assistant City Manager. I have grown professionally in the past six years as Assistant City Manager and am now ready to step into the position of City Manager.
I have the background and training to serve the City well. I grew up in Winter Haven and have the City’s best interests at heart. As a result, I am excited to continue to make Winter Haven the preferred place to live, work, play and raise a family.
With the numerous projects currently in the works, and new initiatives recently brought forth, it will be my role to communicate the City Commission’s policies, goals and objectives to staff. Some of these exciting projects include development of the CSX intermodal facility, welcoming Legoland to our City, and development of the Lake Conine Nature Park.
The City’s more than 450 employees are a dedicated group of hardworking individuals who will continue to work at their optimum level. As City Manager, I look forward to the challenges and opportunities we will encounter as we move forward together to meet our goals.”
The Chamber looks forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Winter Haven as we address the great opportunities in store for Winter Haven’s future.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, General Announcements
Posted: December 16, 2009: 4:16 pm
STATE FARM FLORIDA AND FLORIDA OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION REACH SETTLEMENT
Risk Exposure Reduction and Partial Rate Relief Lead to Settlement–
– Company says Challenges Remain–
Winter Haven, Fla., Dec. 16, 2009 – Following months of discussions over its January 2009 plan to withdraw from the state’s residential property insurance market, State Farm Florida and the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) reached a settlement today. The resulting Consent Order, which replaces the OIR’s conditional approval of State Farm Florida’s filing to withdraw from the Florida property insurance market, establishes a plan for State Farm Florida to non-renew 125,000 of its more than 810,000 property insurance policies. It also provides for the implementation of a base rate increase of 14.8 percent on homeowners and condominium unit owners policies.
“This is an important step. It helps stem State Farm Florida’s deteriorating financial condition. It reduces the company’s risk exposure. It moves us closer to rate adequacy. And for most of our customers it means that State Farm Florida continues to be there for them,” said Jim Thompson, President, State Farm Florida.
“I want to acknowledge the cooperation of the Office of Insurance Regulation in working through all of this. This was not easy for any of us. We were losing $20 million a month and we both were trying to work through some tough issues,” said Thompson.
Customers with policies in the group of 125,000 to be non-renewed need not take any action now. The first non-renewal notices will not be sent out until February 2010. All customers will have at least six months to find coverage after receiving advance notice. As an example, customers to be non-renewed on Nov. 1, 2010 will receive notice of non-renewal no later than May 1, 2010. Under the Consent Order, State Farm agents will be able to assist non-renewed residential policyholders in finding property insurance with other carriers. Customers wishing to know ahead of the official advance notice as to whether their property is scheduled for non-renewal may contact their State Farm agent early in the new year.
Given these are annual contracts that require State Farm Florida to provide six months advance notice, the entire process will take 18 months to complete. For example, those with policies that are up for renewal prior to August 1, 2010 may be renewed for a year and then non-renewed in the subsequent year.
While Thompson said this order helps move the company toward its goal of stabilizing its financial condition, he cautioned it is a long-term process with many continuing challenges.
“As State Farm Florida tries to rebuild its financial strength, it still faces significant issues in order to meet its obligations to policyholders. Equally important is a stable regulatory environment that supports a viable and sustainable private property insurance market in Florida,” Thompson added.
Even after the non-renewals, State Farm Florida will remain the largest private insurer of homes in Florida. Its property and casualty lines include homes, rental dwellings, apartments, small businesses, boats, personal liability, and commercial liability. State Farm agents also offer products through State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its affiliates, such as auto insurance, life insurance and financial services products.
About State Farm Florida
State Farm Florida Insurance Company currently services over one million residential insurance and other related property insurance policies and is headquartered in Winter Haven, with agent and operations offices throughout the state. The State Farm Insurance Companies are represented by 789 agents and nearly 4,000 agents’ team members in the state of Florida, and employ about 4,600 Floridians in various operational positions.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, State Farm Florida
Posted: December 10, 2009: 9:39 am
Earlier in 2009, the Winter Haven Chamber joined with other Chambers from throughout Polk and approached Polk Public School administration regarding matters of concern from area contractors. Many believed the bidding process needed to give more consideration to businesses based in Polk and ensure that the process was free from favoritism. This blog detailed the immediate positive response from PCSB administrators and a subsequent meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations Fred Murphy who pledged to work toward a process that was “fair, equitable and transparent.” Meeting December 8 in Bartow, School Board members for Polk Public Schools unanimously approved a “State and Local Proximity” policy that will provide point consideration for architects, contractors and others doing business in and around Polk. The opening text of the policy follows …
STATE AND LOCAL PROXIMITY POINT SYSTEM
As a steward of public funds, the School Board of Polk County, Florida recognizes its obligation and opportunity to participate in and promote the economy of Polk County and the State of Florida, while fostering full and open competition in the acquisition of services related to construction projects. The “Facilities and Operations Professional Services Selection” (hereinafter “FOPSS”) process does not contemplate the award of contracts based solely on cost, and the School Board has determined that it is appropriate to assign certain preferences based on the proximity of contractors, architects, engineers, or other persons or firms (hereinafter “business entities”) to the Polk County School District’ Building Programs. Toward these ends, the School Board has implemented, as a part of the “FOPSS” process, a system for awarding certain evaluation points to business entities, based on proximity to Polk County. Read the full policy here.
The new policy is a great step forward in consideration for Polk companies and the jobs they create. The process was a good example of the School Board, Administration and Polk Chambers working together in the best interests of the Polk business community .
| See other posts filed in: Economic Development, General Announcements, Success Stories
Posted: December 2, 2009: 11:48 am
Friday, December 11th, 2009 Ridge Career Center will have a formal Ribbon Cutting for the new Health Science Building and the Firefighting Facility expansion at 9:00 a.m. in the Career Center’s Plaza. These two projects (total investment: $10 million) have been under construction since fall 2007. Ridge will present these beautiful, high tech facilities to community members on this day and share how they are training the workforce of tomorrow in health science and public service careers.
Refreshments will be served immediately following the Ribbon Cutting and tours of both facilities will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. We encourage you to make time in your busy schedule to join with area Chamber members in this celebration!
Ridge Career Center is located at 7700 State Road 544 in Winter Haven.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: November 5, 2009: 3:31 pm
In response to concerns about the spread of H1N1 flu, Winter Haven Hospital today announced that it has implemented the following
measures:
- Beginning immediately, the hospital asks all members of the public who are sick not to visit patients at the hospital. This includes individuals who have symptoms such as fever, cough and/or sore throat.
- Children under the age of 16 are welcome to visit patients in the hospital, but they should be well and not suffering from a fever, cough and/or sore throat.
- The hospital encourages all visitors to wash their hands thoroughly before visiting patients. Additionally, at all hospital entryways, hand sanitizer stations and face masks have been made available for extra precaution.
- The hospital asks the public to be aware that special precautions for visitors have been implemented at the Regency Center for Women and Infants. The federal Centers for Disease Control has identified pregnant women and infants as two groups facing increased risks from H1N1 infection.
- Winter Haven Hospital staffers are being vaccinated against the seasonal flu virus and will receive the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it becomes available.
Kaye Hixon, Phd, RN, Administrative Vice President at Winter Haven Hospital, said the hospital is seeking to “strike the proper balance between the medical priorities of our patients and the role families play in our patients’ recovery.”
“We know that family visits play a very important role for our patients in terms of emotional support and motivating them to get better,” Hixon said. “At the same time, we have to take appropriates steps to ensure that we discourage the spread of the virus to the greatest extent possible.”
Hixon added that Winter Haven Hospital’s H1N1 task is working with the Polk County Health Department and the federal CDC to address the public health needs of the community. She said the hospital is delivering educational materials about the virus to patients and their families. She also said the hospital will make available public speakers who can address community groups and deliver accurate and timely information about the H1N1 virus.
The Chamber’s next Business Women’s Luncheon on December 1 will feature Polk County Health Department Director Dr. Daniel Haight addressing both the status of and precautions for this extraordinary flu season.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Health Care
Posted: October 13, 2009: 7:50 pm
Winter Haven native George Kalogridis has been named President of California’s iconic Disneyland Resort. Kalogridis began his 38-year Disney career in 1971 as a busboy at the Contemporary Resort. He comes to Disneyland after serving as chief operating officer for Disneyland Resort Paris.
Read the complete story and watch video interview here.
Kalogridis is the son of the late Tony and Judy Kalogridis. Tony was a much beloved pharmacist who operated a popular downtown Winter Haven pharmacy for many years. The Chamber is proud to report this outstanding accomplishment about an outstanding former resident.
We wish Mr. Kalogridis continued success.
| See other posts filed in: General Announcements, Success Stories, Tourism
Posted: October 6, 2009: 3:03 pm
Our 2009 Membership Survey produced a variety of interesting information. When we asked you the question, “In terms of receiving Chamber communications, my preferred source is _____________?”
Eighty-three percent of the respondents said their preferred source for communications was e-mail. Fifteen percent preferred printed publications and 15% preferred blog posts. Based upon this response we are going to try sending “Haven View” via this blog. You can access the Fall issue here.
You will find the same high production values you have come to expect — and it is a much more “green” way to distribute this information.
This month you will find information on our 2009 Economic Summit, Industry Award winners and much more. Take a look, download or print the file.
Let us know how this works for you. We will re-evaluate the process for 2010-11.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, General Announcements, Success Stories
Posted: October 5, 2009: 1:16 pm
Marine Supply, The Boating Center moved it’s Sales Office to 1491 3rd Street S.W. (U. S. 17 location across from the former Cypress Lincoln Mercury Dealership). The new location offers a much larger area to display more customer consignment boats. Future plans are to open a tackle store at this location as well. Currently the site will be used to display new and preowned boats and engines.
| See other posts filed in: Commercial Developments, Economic Development, General Announcements, Uncategorized
Posted: August 7, 2009: 11:06 am
The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s Blue Sky business incubation program is now accepting applications for space in its two facilities — a business accelerator, Blue Sky East in Winter Haven, and an entry-level incubator, Blue Sky West in Lakeland. Winter Haven’s Blue Sky East will be located in the former Verizon building amid an already emerging technology hub. The Six Ten Corporation was instrumental in working with USF Poly on Blue Sky East.
“We want a diverse group of entrepreneurs with the potential to create a significant economic impact in central Florida,” says Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO of USF Polytechnic. “These facilities provide opportunities for a wide range of enterprises. Some will be raw start-ups, and some will be more advanced. Regardless of the stage, Blue Sky represents an opportunity to thrive.”
Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations, with proprietary technologies preferred. Applicants can be a start-up company, an existing small business in a growth phase, an existing business launching a new business project, or an international business looking for a soft-landing site.
The Blue Sky facilities are the first public business technology incubators in Polk County. They will focus on attracting and nurturing entrepreneurial businesses by creating a place where USF Poly faculty, staff and students can work with businesses to develop innovative technology. Incubated companies will benefit from the proximity to and resources of a national research university as well as the assets of economic development networks.
The application is available at here. Applicants must be for-profit technology corporations. Preference will be shown for proprietary technologies. Applicants can be start-ups, existing small businesses looking to grow, an existing business that is launching a new project, or an international business looking for site in the U.S. that plans to hire locally and pay local taxes.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Downtown, Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, Technology
Posted: August 4, 2009: 8:20 pm
A drive by of Christy’s Sundown Restaurant this evening (August 4, 2009) finds the venerable institution is closed. The landmark Winter Haven establishment has been an icon of success in the restaurant business. Nicholas “Nick” Christy bought the Sundown Restaurant in the early 1950s when it was among the few businesses located on U.S. 17.
Christy built his restaurant experience along with the success of Cypress Garden’s promoter Dick Pope and created a culinary destination appreciated throughout Central Florida. The entrance wall serves as a testament to the likes of Esther Williams, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Roy Rogers and other luminaries that came to the Gardens and dined at Christy’s.
Christy sold the restaurant to James Bronkhorst in 2007. We have information that new opportunities are in the works. Speculation involves a new owner and a new focus for the landmark location. Stay tuned …
Pictured above: Sundown Restaurant circa 1950s.
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Dining, General Announcements, Tourism
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The Chamber joins with the community to welcome Dale Smith to his role as City Manager.
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