WINTER PARK/MAITLAND
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 29, NO. 38
FREE
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
Hungry haul
DRESS TO IMPRESS
Winter Park triathlete Chris Sadowski endured back-to-back extreme challenges to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.
Irma relief, millage rate dominate meeting
Communities return to normalcy after Irma
TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Although Hurricane Irma has come and gone, it has left a myriad of questions and concerns in its wake. Maitland’s first City Council meeting since the storm went for more than three hours, and much of the discussion centered on the storm and relief efforts. City Manager Sharon Anselmo shared information regarding how the city had been handling issues surrounding hurricane prep and recovery, which included communication issues with Duke Energy. “We were in constant talk
TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR
SEE AFTER PAGE 6
YOUR TOWN 4 RIVERS SUPPORTS IRMA RELIEF FUND
4 Rivers Smokehouse is giving back to those affected by Hurricane Irma. To raise funds, the restaurant has announced a new special sandwich, “The Big Ham,” which will be available through Sept. 30. For every sale of “The Big Ham,” 4 Rivers will be donating $1 to The Irma Relief Fund. For first-responders, this sandwich is free.
SEE PAGE 3
Maitland residents talked about their disappointment with Duke Energy, while the city moved to adopt a tentative operating millage.
Despite some leftover clean-up, Winter Park and Maitland are on the way to recovery following the hurricane.
It’s been almost two weeks since Hurricane Irma tore through Central Florida, but Winter Park and Maitland are in much better shape than other communities. Both cities have faced similar issues regarding damage from the storm — including power outages, downed trees and some structural damage to businesses and other buildings. The process in evaluating costs relating to damages is still in the early stages, Maitland Community Development Director Dan Matthys said. “We have a damage assess-
Winter Park-based Hope and Help Center preps for annual Headdress Ball.
SEE POWER PAGE 6
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I
magine doing a 48-mile run. Now imagine doing an IRONMAN event — a
2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile run — the very next day. Winter Park resident Chris Sadowski doesn’t have to imagine it. He lived it this summer.
SEE STORY PAGE 4
“It all kind of clicked, and when I told my wife she just goes, ‘You’re insane.’” — Chris Sadowski
Orange County Public Schools adopts 2017-18 annual budget. SEE PAGE 5