W E ST O RA N G E T I M E S &
Observer Celebrating more than 110 years in West Orange
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VOLUME 86, NO. 38
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Couple creates unique jewelry company. SEE 9.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Bigger than his body
He’s only 5-foot-7, but Garrett Duffina has emerged as a leader and playmaker for Ocoee. 17.
YOUR TOWN WOHS STUDENT HONORS 9/11
POWER PLAYERS Line workers are getting plenty of attention as they work long hours to restore the state’s power supply following Hurricane Irma.
West Orange High School senior Katie Householder had a plan to remember 9/11 on the school campus, so she raised money to buy 2,997 American flags — one for each of the victims. Even though school and many 9/11 ceremonies were canceled because of Hurricane Irma, Householder still wanted to create her display. On Sunday, Sept. 10, she went to the West Orange campus and spent three hours placing the flags in memory of the 9/11 victims.
New Greek eatery opens in Winter Garden Village
SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
Courtesy of Duke Energy
BLACK TIE
DANIELLE HENDRIX STAFF WRITER
If baklava, gyros, pitas and other Greek classics speak to your inner foodie, Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves’s newest restaurant is right up your alley. Little Greek Fresh Grill is now open in place of the old Red Mango frozen yogurt shop, and although Hurricane Irma threw some roadblocks in the way of its opening, the restaurant is now ready to serve customers. Andrew Tate, owner and SEE WINTER PAGE 8
Winter Garden gives initial approval to $36.2M budget The city plans to fund the construction of a new fire station, an aquifer replenishment project and a roundabout on Marsh Road in the 2018 budget. GABBY BAQUERO NEWS EDITOR
Give Kids the World organization celebrates its 29th annual Black & White Gala. SEE PAGE 11.
City commissioners passed the first reading of a proposed $36.2 million budget for 2018 during a budget hearing held Thursday, Sept. 14. The proposed budget estimates its projected revenue for 2018 based on a millage rate of 4.25 this year, which remains unchanged
from last year. At a rate of 4.25 and a welcome 10% increase in property values, the city can expect $12.4 million in property tax revenue — about a $1.16 million increase from last year. With the city’s total projected revenue of $36,228,305 — a 9.5% revenue increase from the 2017 budget’s revenue — and projectSEE BUDGET PAGE 6