070518 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

Jacobs called the state of Orange
County strong. She praised neighbors
helping neighbors during hurricanes
Maria and Irma and the
community’s “culture of compassion
and collaboration.”
Not all has been positive. On June
12, 2016, patrons of Pulse nightclub
were attacked.
“Together, our community endured
a nightmare that none of us could
ever have imagined,” said Jacobs,
before playing a video that highlighted
the 49 people who lost their
lives that night.
She discussed how the county, in
cooperation with the city of Orlando
and United Way, opened the
Orlando United Assistance Center to
help surviving victims.
“As overwhelming as the loss was,
the response of our community was
equally overwhelming,” Jacobs said.
“Never would I have imagined the
outpouring of love and unity, or the
depth of our strength and resilience.
As a community, we share a commitment
to make sure the whole world
never forgets our 49 Pulse angels.”
Jacobs also remarked on the efforts
the county has taken to help
with the rehoming of Hurricane
Maria evacuees from Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and to
address the opioid crisis.
The speech occurred on the day
of another mass casualty shooting
in a high school. Jacobs paused
for a moment of silence and teared
up before talking about making
schools and places of worship safe
again and dealing with mental
illness.
Jacobs and the county commissioners
took the public-safety action
this year to close the “gun show loophole.”
The new law “requires criminal
background checks and a three-day
waiting period for everyone who
purchases a firearm at a gun show,
flea market or firearms exhibit — a
requirement that otherwise only applied
if you are purchasing a firearm
from a licensed gun dealer,” she
said.
Jacobs also talked about addressing
the challenges of affordable
housing, increasing the number of
www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x July 5 — 18, 2018 x 9
animals adopted through animal
services, and remembering sacrifices
of first responders, including
Windermere Police Officer Robbie
German, who was “senselessly
gunned down by two suicidal
teens. Both teens then took their
own lives.”
She reported that Orange County’s
unemployment rate has declined
from 10.7 percent when she took office
to a current rate of 3.2 percent.
Orange County has added 160,000
new jobs during that time.
Michael J. Tortorella, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Board Certified
Pregnancy
Family Planning
Menstrual Disorders
Menopause
Second Opinion for Surgery
Rather than leave with a feeling
that Jacobs took credit for all of the
progress the community has experienced,
she humbly suggested that
people have come together to make
a difference in shaping the vibrant
community that now exists.
“Working with each of you, and
with so many others throughout
Central Florida and our state, has
been the honor and privilege of a lifetime,”
Jacobs said. “May God bless
each of you and all those who stand
in support of Orange County.” ª
In-Office Ultrasounds
In-Office Surgery
Minimally Invasive
Surgery
Sterilization
(407) 363-1003 Michaeljtortorellamd.com
7300 Sandlake Commons Blvd.
Suite 320, Medplex A
next to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
Listed in Best Doctors
in Orlando Magazine
Waterproof vinyls starting at $2.39sf
Laminate Totally Installed $2.99sf
(selected items)
Hardwood starting at $3.09sf
• We offer 6-month financing “No Interest”
• We guarantee to beat any quote
on laminate floors and installation
• 100s of samples to choose from
• No add-on charges
(free measure & estimate, delivery,
move basic furniture,
carpet rip out, warranty)
• Limited time offer
$150 OFF
over 500sf installed
407 622 0699
501 N. Orlando Ave., #155
Winter Park, FL 32789
USACITYFLOORS.COM
cityfloorsusa@gmail.com