Times& WEST ORANGE
Observer WEST ORANGE COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER FOR 109 YEARS
THURSDAY
DECEMBER 18, 2014
FREE
WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA
INSIDE
EXCLUSIVE
SPORTS
Santa makes an early appearance at Oakland bash. PAGE 12A
Photography exhibit honors achievements of Sheriff Dave Starr. PAGE 9A
Dr. Phillips falls to Oviedo in hoops classic. PAGE 2B
by Peter M. Gordon | Contributing Writer OUR TOWN governance
Winter Garden commissioners approve repair for Brandy Creek
+ W.G. names contest winners Congratulations to all the winners of the 2014 Winter Garden De-Light-Ful Decorations contest. • Best Overall: Dennis Duckwiler (529 S. Lakeview Ave.) • Most Original, First Place: Todd Cramer (12542 Westfield Lakes Circle) • Most Original, Second Place: Bill and Kathy Barrett (414 Courtlea Oaks Blvd.) • Best Theme, First Place: William and Danielle Cooney (466 Forest Haven Drive) • Best Theme, Second Place: Jason and Tiffany Halley (15161 Ovation Drive) • Best Apartment/ Townhome, First Place: Bill Smith and Harry Gallagher (1286 Westside Drive) • Best Apartment/ Townhome, Second Place: Leyna Rossi (1273 Priory Circle)
If left untouched, the failing PVC pipes could result in damaged lawns, roads and even homes. The repairs will cost an estimated $500,000. WINTER GARDEN — Recent inspections of stormwater pipes in the Brandy Creek development, north of West Plant Street and east of Tildenville School Road, revealed many of the original PVC pipes are
in danger of collapsing. City Manager Mike Bollhoefer said the roads in the development are safe for now, but unless the pipes were replaced in the near future, lawns, roads and even homes would be in danger of
collapsing. Therefore, he asked the commission to authorize city staff to expedite the contract process to enable work to begin as soon as possible. The city has repaired individual pipes in
various areas of the development, but staff believes the best long-term solution is to replace and upgrade the polyethylene pipes with longer-lasting materials throughout the entire system.
I
by Zak Kerr | Staff Writer
Windermere leaders move forward with Windsong Opposing residents say the project will cause traffic issues.
Photo courtesy Nicole Barclay
Richie Nieves is back at home, recuperating with his family — wife Tammy and children Kai, left, and Ambriah.
HOME
for the
HOLIDAYS
Richie Nieves hopes to raise $20,000 to pay medical bills and repay family for flying him home for recovery.
OCOEE — He was supposed to be gone just four days. But during a business trip to California last month, Richie Nieves was having pain in one of his legs, and by that night, his entire body was shaking uncontrollably. After a visit to an urgent-care facility, he was rushed to Eisenhower Medical
WO This week’s winner is
Stephanie Berry. See the photo on PAGE 7B.
COMMISSION / PAGE 8A
DEVELOPMENT
LONG ROAD by Amy Quesinberry Rhode | Community Editor
+ Puppet show marches into W.G. Remember Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater from Culture Fest and other Winter Garden performances? The Florida Film Academy will host Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater’s performance of “Little Drummer Boy” this week and next. Performances will take place at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23, and Saturday, Dec. 27; 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 and 28; and 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the studio, 270 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Tickets are $6 per person; free for children under age 2.
Mayor John Rees moved the repair discussion to the top of the agenda because Brandy Creek residents filled many of the seats in the City Hall Commission Chamber at the start of the meeting. Commissioner Bob Buchanan underscored the need to act quickly.
Center, where the Ocoee husband and father of two would remain for 25 days, undergoing treatment for necrotizing fasciitis. This bacterial infection, commonly called a “flesh-eating infection,” spreads quickly, destroying the body’s soft tissue. Doctors stopped the in-
fection from spreading beyond his leg; they do not know how he contracted it. While he recuperated in the California hospital, his wife, Tammy, was by his side; their children, Ambriah, 5, and Kai, almost 2, were being cared for
HOW TO HELP To make a donation to the Nieves family, visit gofundme.com/ i5nl6s?pc=mb_em. So far, about $7,000 has been raised.
NIEVES / PAGE 6A
WINDERMERE — For the third consecutive month, Windermere residents gathered with the Windermere Town Council to address the proposed Windsong at Windermere development, Dec. 9 at Town Hall. After another series of residents’ complaints, the council approved moving forward with Windsong developers for the site, 3-1. This included redesignating the 36-acre site from Orange County Rural/Agriculture to Windermere Planned Unit Development; rezoning all of the plot, except 4.19 acres of Lake Rhea wetlands, as Windsong Planned Unit Development from Orange County Rural Country Estate; the first hearing of the Windsong developers agreement; and the Windsong preliminary development plan, updated Nov. 29. Although the council voted to move forward, its members still can help tweak plans. Each member had at least one reservation regarding the latest development plan, but the three affirming members feared losing what they see as a quality developer. “We currently are working with quality people,” Councilman Mike Pirozzolo said. “I fear that opportunity is not going to come up again. Something’s going to be developed there. I’m 100% convinced of that.
WINDERMERE / PAGE 6A
INDEX Calendar.................................2A Cops Corner............................7A
Crossword...............................7B Obituaries.............................16A
Real Estate.........................6-7B Schools..........................12-13A
Sports.....................................1B Weather..................................7B
Vol. 82, No. 50 , Three sections
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