The 82nd Annual Conference of the Florida League of Cities, themed "Great Cities Make a Great State!," was held at the Tampa Convention Center and the Tampa Marriott Waterside.  During the opening general session, Mayor Iorio welcomed attendees to Tampa.  The organization, created in 1922 and representing 412 cities from across the state, attracted nationally recognized speakers Captain James Lovell, Jr., astronaut and commander of Apollo 13; Cynthia McCollum, president of the National League of Cities; and Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough, to the conference.

The Urban Charrette, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the City of Tampa, the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission and AIA Tampa Bay, received a technical assistance grant from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program.  SDAT is an interdisciplinary community assistance program that focuses on the principles of sustainability by bringing teams of volunteer professionals together with community decision makers and stakeholders.

The Kiwanis Club of Tampa and the Hillsborough County League of Women Voters invited Mayor Iorio to speak at their luncheon to discuss current city issues including mass transit and the 2009 budget.  The Kiwanis Club has been a leader in local community service activities for over 85 years, offering financial support and hands-on assistance to those in need, particularly children.  The League is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages citizens to be informed and play an active role in government.

Mayor Iorio presented the fifth annual State of East Tampa to the residents and members of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.  The East Tampa Progress Report highlighting the accomplishments in the community, including the recent grand opening of the Fair Oaks Community Lake on East 34^th Street, was distributed along with the Citizens' Budget Report for fiscal year 2009, Commitment to Progress.

Linda Goldie, an accounting technician with the Department of Revenue and Finance's Property Control Division, recently announced her retirement after more than 39 years of service to the City of Tampa.  Through the years, her efforts have been instrumental in improving the level of service provided to our citizens.  Linda's positive attitude and attention to detail will be missed by the entire department and all those who have had the pleasure of working with her.

After presenting the fiscal year 2009 Recommended Annual Budget to Tampa City Council, Mayor Iorio hosted the annual budget luncheon for neighborhood presidents and crime watch coordinators at the Hunt Recreation Center. The guiding principles behind this year's budget were addressed as well as key investments including additional funding for firefighters and the Investing in Neighborhoods program.

Making stops in each of the Tampa Police Department's three districts, Mayor Iorio visited with neighborhood watch leaders and neighborhood residents during the 25th Annual National Night Out campaign. This event, celebrated nationally and attended by hundreds of Tampa's citizens, gives residents an opportunity to express neighborhood unity, while promoting safety, police-community partnerships, and the prevention of crime, drugs and violence.  Members of the Tampa Police Department joined citizens at more than 14 locations throughout the city.

Members of the Clean City Summer Youth Program took a few moments to meet with the mayor.  First initiated in 2006, this year's program employed 48 local youth between the ages of 16 and 18. Supervised by Clean City crews, the youth picked up roadside litter and debris, edged sidewalks and worked alongside regular City employees in East Tampa and throughout other neighborhoods.

Mayor Iorio joined the East Tampa community to celebrate the completion of the Fair Oaks community lake project.  The 2.6 acre stormwater area adjacent to Fair Oaks Park has undergone a major transformation giving the pond area park-like qualities that include paved walking paths around the pond with seating areas, a covered picnic pavilion site and lush, colorful landscaping.

The City joined the Muscular Dystrophy Association in honoring Tampa's firefighters by proclaiming August Firefighter Appreciation Month. This annual event recognizes the men and women of Tampa Fire Rescue for their yearly "Fill the Boot" campaign. In 2007, over 550 Tampa firefighters raised nearly $65,000 to benefit the fight against neuromuscular diseases.

Members of the Tampa North Rotary Club heard an update on city issues during their weekly meeting.  This group of local business and professional leaders is affiliated with Rotary International, an organization committed to promoting high ethical standards in all professions while helping to address societal issues such as poverty, hunger, illiteracy and the environment.

The Mayor’s Beautification Program (MBP) hosted a luncheon to celebrate the achievements of the STEPS (Success Through Environmental Partnerships & Service) program graduates. STEPS, a program of MBP, offers low-income students in Hillsborough County the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world situations through on-the-job training.   Participants sign a contract to maintain good behavior, a 2.5 GPA, and stay drug free as well as complete 150 hours of service.  Since its inception 78 STEPS participants have graduated from high school and 46 have gone onto post-secondary education.

Tampa's nine newest firefighters were sworn in during a ceremony at the Ragan Park Community Center in East Tampa.  With more than 50 family and friends in attendance, the firefighters heard from the mayor about the important role they play in the community and about her continued support for fire and emergency services.  The new firefighters will be assigned to fire stations throughout Tampa.

Hundreds of East Tampa residents gathered at the NFL YET Center at Jackson Heights to participate in "PARTY (Police and Residents Teaching Youth) in the Park."  The event, hosted by the Tampa Police Department along with city departments, local businesses and community leaders, provided area youth an opportunity to learn safety techniques and interact with Police Officers in a fun, entertaining setting. During the event, five kids won new bicycles.