Poinciana's Future

Dear Poinciana Residents and Stakeholders,

The final feasibility report produced by the UCF Institute of Government is now available on this website. You can download it from the link to the left entitled: "Downloads: Stay Informed!" It is a lengthy document. You are welcome to print the entire report, or you can read only the summary findings found within the first few pages.

Members from the Polk and Osceola County legislative delegations met on October 27 to hear citizen feedback and to express their perspectives on incorporation. Participating members were Senator Dockery, Representative Precourt, Representative Wood, and Representative Horner. The auditorium at Liberty High School was filled to capacity, with another 300 to 400 people apparently outside waiting for a chance to get in. Members heard residents speak in favor of incorporation, against incorporation, in favor of letting voters decide, and against letting voters decide.

Ultimately, the four members expressed concerns about incorporation at this time, with Senator Dockery noting the lack of consensus in the community on the issue. No final vote was taken among members; each delegation may formally vote on the issue at their separate county delegation meetings coming up in December. Residents of Poinciana are still able to contact their members to express their perspective, pro, con, or undecided.

The UCF team remains in place to respond to any questions regarding the feasibility study. If you have such questions, please email tbryer@mail.ucf.edu, or call 407-823-0410. This website will remain active at least until a final decision is made on incorporation at this point in time and possibly beyond that point. The space can continue to be used as a forum for community dialogue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas Bryer

Dear Poinciana Residents and Others,

The final feasibility report produced by the UCF Institute of Government is now available on this website. You can download it from the link to the left entitled: "Downloads: Stay Informed!" It is a lengthy document. You are welcome to print the entire report, or you can read only the summary findings found within the first few pages.

There are multiple ways through which you can ask questions about the contents of the report. First, click the link to the left entitled: "Ask Questions about the Feasibility Report." This will take you to the website's discussion forums. You need to be a registered member of the website to post a question or other comment. You do not need to be a registered member of the website to read the questions and responses.

Secondly, we are conducting three town hall meetings to present the findings from the report. The first is Saturday, September 12, 11am to 1pm at Palmetto Elementary School. The second is Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the APV Community Center. The third is a Spanish-language only meeting on Tuesday, September 29 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, also at the APV Community Center. All are open to the public; no RSVP is required. These meetings will be informational and pertaining to the contents of the feasibility report.

The legislative delegations from Polk and Osceola County will be convening a joint meeting in late October to hear citizen feedback on the incorporation proposal. I will inform you about the date of this meeting as soon as I know it to be confirmed.

Finally, I am unfortunately not able to print hard copies of the report for distribution to residents in Poinciana. Over the next several days, however, I will leave a single hard copy at various community locations. If you have a suggested location for a hard copy of the report, please let me know by email me at tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.

Thank you,

Thomas A. Bryer, Ph.D.

UPDATES

We are finalizing the feasibility report. Dr. Wang is working with me and Marilyn Crotty to double check his numbers, and Marilyn Crotty is finalizing the draft charter based on consultation with the Counties' Supervisor of Elections office. The final report will be released no later than August 28.

We have three town hall meetings scheduled to discuss the findings and answer any question. The first is Saturday, September 12, 11am to 1pm at Palmetto Elementary School. The second is Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the APV Community Center. The third is a Spanish-language only meeting on Tuesday, September 29 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, also at the APV Community Center.

Please mark your calendars and tell your friends and neighbors. Flyers are available for download and distribution under the link for "Downloads: Stay Informed!"

Dear Poinciana Residents,

As you know, we are near completion of the feasibility study. We have been waiting for final revenue estimates for 2009 from the two counties and expect to have all final data in hand shortly. Also, the draft charter is nearly completed. We are preparing to have three town hall meetings in late September: one will be on a weeknight, one will be on a Saturday morning, and we will convene one additional Spanish language meeting. At the meeting, we will present the report's findings and address any questions you have. I will notify you soon once we know the dates of the meetings. Once identified, I will ask for your assistance in getting the word out.

Best,

Thomas Bryer

The next Citizen Charter Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 6:30pm at the APV Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. The agenda is posted in the Downloads section as well as Marilyn Crotty's presentation from the previous Charter meeting. Thank you for your continued input and participation. See you on Thursday!

Greetings! Remember this Thursday's City Charter Meeting will be devoted to public input on the Charter and its contents thus far. We encourage everyone to read the proposed City Charter (found in the Downloads section) and then come to express their opinions, both positive and negative. The entire two hours will be devoted to public input, however, if time remains, Charter business will be attended to. See you on Thursday!