The annual Egg Hunt tradition at Central Winds Park was a hopping good time for all who attended! Children ranging in age from 2 to 12 brought their baskets and participated in a park-wide egg hunt with fun and prizes for everyone. It was truly an egg-citing event!
The highlight of the day was the special golden egg, which held a big surprise for the lucky child who found it. With advanced registration required, the event was well-organized and accommodated the largest number of people possible by dividing the egg hunt into age ranges and time slots.
Winter Springs residents were able to participate for free, making it an accessible event for all families in the community. Overall, it was a wonderful day filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of egg-citement. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Egg Hunt has in store!
A charter school in Seminole County, which has received an A rating and is highly popular, is experiencing turmoil due to the possible departure of the school’s principal. Many parents are blaming the board members for unfairly pushing out the well-liked principal, and there is a sense of fear and anger among the school community. The governing board, which is not elected, has come under fire for making decisions that do not prioritize educational needs.
The conflict began in November 2020, after a board member was denied permission to deliver a tiara and a stuffed animal to his children during school hours, violating the school’s policy. This led to a series of incidents, including the board member requesting footage from the school’s security cameras to monitor the principal’s activities and an orchestrated meeting where former employees spoke critically of the principal.
At a board meeting, the principal resigned, with some board members voting to accept her resignation, while others praised her work. Many parents have signed an online petition to stop the “forced resignation” of the principal, and some have attended board meetings to express their support for her. The principal filed a formal complaint against the board members, accusing them of bullying and harassment.
The board’s previous attorney conducted an investigation into the matter, and the board has since hired a new attorney. The investigation concluded that the board members’ actions did not meet the legal definition of bullying and harassment, but the board member’s actions could lead a reasonable person to believe that there was specific intent against the principal.
The lack of checks and balances within the board, and the fact that it is not elected, has frustrated many parents who feel they have no say in what is happening at the school. The school is in the last year of its 15-year charter, so it will need to seek renewal next year.
Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a free tree! The City of Winter Springs is giving away one free tree per incorporated Winter Springs household. Registration will be open from February 13, 2023, until March 20, 2023.
Their team will provide you with care instructions for your tree.
Winter Springs Parks and Recreation team will deliver each tree to your home this year!
View the list of available trees below
Live Oak
Magnolia
Red Maple
Slash Pine
Tuscarora Crape Myrtle
Tea Olive (Shrub)
Thank you to Budget Tree Service for sponsoring the annual tree giveaway program.
Benefits of Planting Trees
Trees help lower CO2 emissions and purify the air quality.
Office workers with a view of trees report significantly less stress and more satisfaction.
One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people.
Trees provide vital wildlife habitat.
Trees help clean our drinking water.
Roadside trees reduce nearby indoor air pollution by more than 50%.
Homeowners that experienced flooding of their homes during Hurricane Ian (September 2022) are encouraged to contact us about possible funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for flood mitigation projects that include either:
Elevation of flood Prone Homes (New finish floor is lifted 1.5ft above Base Flood Elevation (BFE)). Homeowners with elevated homes will need FEMA-sponsored Flood Insurance for the remaining of the structure’s life. However, flood insurance is not required to apply for the grant.
Acquisition and demolition of flood-prone homes The affected homes will be purchased by the City and will be demolished soon thereafter. No new structures will ever be allowed to be constructed on those parcels.
Please note that this opportunity is completely voluntary. If eligible to submit to FEMA, the City will submit a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP) application to the Florida Division of Emergency Management for funding consideration under the Hurricane Ian disaster to include the properties of interested homeowners under the elevation and acquisition/demolition categories.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Community Workshop
Homeowners that experienced flooding of their homes during Hurricane Ian (September 2022) are encouraged to contact us about possible funding from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for flood mitigation projects.
An informational Community Workshop will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Winter Springs Senior Center (400 N. Edgemon Avenue), beginning at 6 PM.
The following options are available to homeowners with a past flooding history:
Elevation of flood Prone Homes (New finish floor is lifted 1.5ft above Base Flood Elevation (BFE)).
Homeowners with elevated homes will need FEMA-sponsored Flood Insurance for the remaining of the structure’s life.
However, flood insurance is not required to apply for the grant.
2. Acquisition and demolition of flood-prone homes The affected homes will be purchased by the City and will be demolished soon thereafter.
No new structures will ever be allowed to be constructed on those parcels.
The HMGP assists States, territories, federally-recognized tribes, and local communities by:
Significantly reducing or permanently eliminating future risk to lives and property from natural hazards.
Providing funds to implement projects in accordance with priorities identified in State, tribal, or local hazard mitigation plans
Enabling mitigation measures to be implemented during the recovery following a major disaster declaration.
Typically projects are funded by a combination of Federal and non-Federal funds. HMGP funds may be used to pay up to 75% of the eligible costs.
Please note this opportunity is completely voluntary. If eligible to submit to FEMA, the City will submit a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP) application to the Florida Division of Emergency Management for funding consideration under the Hurricane Ian disaster to include the properties of interested homeowners under the elevation.
There have recently been questions regarding street parking in Winter Springs. In order to comply with city ordinances governing on-street parking in the City of Winter Springs, this reference guide has been prepared for your use.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee has approved a request for an operational audit of the City of Winter Springs.
WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, USA, January 27, 2023 / EINPresswire.com / —
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) unanimously approved a request for an Auditor General to conduct an operational audit of the City of Winter Springs. The Auditor General is a state Constitutional Officer which investigates various local governments and other agencies in order to “promote government accountability and stewardship and improve government operations”, according to its website.
“I am aware of concerns regarding activities of the current Mayor, City Commission and City Manager,” State Senator Jason Brodeur said in a letter requesting an independent audit. “The residents of Winter Springs have compiled extensive material showing rampant mismanagement and even malfeasance which is harming the 38,000+ residents of the City of Winter Springs.”
The scope of the audit includes investigating issues related to wastewater, third-party contracting, Consumptive Use Permits, public records requests, testing documentation, ethics, fraud, and the City’s Code of Conduct.
The request letter from Senator Brodeur for an independent audit included concerns about “rampant mismanagement and even malfeasance”, “[s]uspected violations of state ethics laws”, “a complete lack of transparency and censoring residents”, “taxpayer funded misinformation campaigns”, and “[p]ossible public corruption and profiteering with a commissioner”.
The independent audit will proceed following the unanimous vote of the JLAC. The broad scope of the inquiry could lead to referrals to other state agencies. The letter from Senator Brodeur’s office states if “fraud is suspected, the Auditor General may be required by professional standards to report it to those charged with the City’s governance and also to appropriate law enforcement authorities.”
Jesse Phillips, President of the Winter Springs Community Association, made the following statement: “The issues facing our City necessitate an independent review. We need to stop the finger pointing and to understand how we got here and to find solutions to fix the problems affecting our health and livelihoods. We received hundreds of responses to our annual survey and 9 out of 10 Winter Springs residents support the idea of an independent audit of the City of Winter Springs. We strongly recommend City leaders fully cooperate and allow this independent audit to be conducted in full transparency.”
About Winter Springs Community Association: The Winter Springs Community Association (WSCA) was created to help our community become “One Winter Springs”. We are “Living, Growing and Promoting One Heart, One Pulse, One Community, One Winter Springs.” The WSCA serves Winter Springs residents and business leaders who wish to contribute and propel the most positive Community rebuilding effort ever undertaken in our City. Winter Springs is woefully short on entertainment, dining, medical and other important professional services and our Association seeks to serve you, our neighbors by helping any new business wishing to join our community to enhance your quality of life.
Jesse Phillips Winter Springs Community Association
Today I was able to visit the local Boys & Girls Club in Oviedo Florida! It was a great opportunity to celebrate Friendsgiving with the kids.
“Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”
The location is impressive and they are trying to get more exposure since they opened around the time COVID started. They are fully open now and ready to get the word out about this amazing place. Once they get more kids and families involved, the plan is to expand the offerings.
I want to thank all the residents of Winter Springs who came out to vote. Words cannot express how humbled and grateful I am for your support for me to be your City Commissioner.
When I first decided to run back in June, many told me that I had no chance and it would be virtually impossible to beat a man who held office for 8 years.
Now, five months later, we are victorious.
Throughout this campaign, we have tried to share the message that as residents of Winter Springs we expect more. It is not acceptable to not be fully transparent and honest with residents about all matters. We expect more from Winter Springs and our government.
Because of the help from supporters like you, we were able to beat Kevin Cannon and start the city down a new path. A path that demands excellence in every aspect of our government.
Our campaign received support from all parts of Winter Springs. We heard from and received votes from each and every corner of our city. After early voting we had a sizeable lead and then last night, our lead grew and you elected me to be your new Winter Springs City Commissioner for District 2.
None of this would be possible without resident support like yours!
You are the reason I ran for office. To be a voice for all residents and to work to keep Winter Springs the reason we all moved here.
Thanks to your help and your vote, I will now be able to work to keep Winter Springs one of the best cities in Florida.
We’ve accomplished a lot during this campaign: Bringing light to the Parkstone artesian well, discussing the challenges with our water infrastructure and understanding our pond and creek maintenance. But of all the concerns, the biggest concern by residents is the concern of overdevelopment.
Our work has only just begun.
Last night’s tremendous win is the spark needed for Winter Spring’s future.
I will fight for Winter Springs like I fight for my own family and my own business. I will not back down from anyone in my efforts to keep Winter Springs one of the best cities in Florida to live.
Because of your trust in me, Winter Springs will remain one of the best places to raise a family, school our children and run a business.
Florida Family Policy Council shifts their endorsements away from the incumbents and to the challengers because of Winter Springs’ disgusting and dangerous water issues.
“The damage done by the Winter Springs water utility which necessitated the Florida Department of Environmental Protection action made it clear a change in leadership in Winter Springs is needed.”
