January 12, 2010

As of 12 noon today, Friday, January 12th, there are two candidates who have qualified to run for Orlando City Council!  
 
That's right...for the past few months, we have been working with two specific plans in place.  The first, if we had an opponent and the second, if we didn't.  
 
Well, we have an opponent.  Now, it's time to get to work!  
 
Since taking office 4 years ago, I have worked hard to represent the people of Orlando and provide leadership in the neighborhoods of District 3. With your help, I will continue to fight for a stronger and a safer community for us all.  
 
Over the next few weeks, our campaign will unfold.  We will be walking the neighborhoods, putting up signs, contacting the voters of District 3.  We need your help.  
 
If you are willing to help contact your neighbors, host a neighborhood meeting, or even place a yard sign in your yard, please email me.  And, please visit my website at www.votestuart.com and consider making a contribution or sign up to join our campaign.  
 
I have been humbled by your continued support and look forward to working with you towards a successful campaign.

October 27, 2009 - Campaign Kickoff Remarks

I’m here today to formally announce my re-election campaign for Orlando City Council – District 3.

Ever since taking office on June 1, 2006, I have tried to continue my lifelong mission of building community. It’s a challenging task, one that requires something from each of us. It requires that we take ownership of our neighborhoods and look for leadership that is not afraid to allow others to lead. It means that what happens in Orlando, starts here! And yet, we still have much to do.

Over the past few years, our city has seen some great successes. I’m honored to be part of the team that has participated, in just a small way, to bringing economic development to our community. We have seen beginning of a whole new medical city in southeast Orlando. Partnering with Orange County and the State of Florida, we have watched the opening of the first phase of the Burnham Institute. We have secured and installed our first class of medical students at UCF's new Medical School. And, we have joined with my alma mater, University of Florida for the first extension of their nationally recognized Medical School. And, over the past two years, I have also had the opportunity to advocate for a new VA Hospital.

A little closer to home, we have seen the economy change some of our plans for our community venues. Even so, in just over a year, we will enjoy our first Orlando Magic game in the Amway Events Center. A few months later, we’ll enjoy the opening of phase one of our Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and we’ll start construction on a renovated Citrus Bowl. These monumental decisions would not have happened without our community leadership and some of those are in this room.

Even closer to home, I have worked closely with one of the premier hospitals in our country on their local expansion to provide the highest medical care in the heart of our community. Florida Hospital has just completed the latest revision of their plans for creating a medical village of their own, just a few blocks away.

And, while the VA will open their hospital in southeast Orlando, we have secured assurances that our VA clinic will continue to serve our community, directly across the street from our new Veteran’s Park. Located on the shorts of Lake Baldwin, this park is our city’s recognition of the brave men and women who have served and will serve our country so faithfully.

And, still even closer, you can look out these windows and see the result of creative partnership with the State of Florida that culminated in the complete renovation of one of Orlando’s jewels, the Historic Dubsdread Golf Course. Since re-opening in 2008, we have had rave reviews from golf fans and citizens alike about the course and our commitment to maintain it at the highest standards!

During the past 3 ½ years, it has been my goal to engage our citizens like never before. I have written emails and newsletters about almost every topic the city has touched. But still, nothing works as well as when people are involved. So, I’ve emphasized our award winning Neighborhood Watch Program, helping make District 3 the most active in our city and Orlando one of the most active in all of our country. This is just part of my commitment to public safety, but it’s one part that I can influence by encouraging our neighbors to get to know each other. It’s also our first line of crime fighting through prevention.

And, using the same model of Crime Alert available to our citizens, I developed Lake Alert. Now you can go online at cityoforlando.net, list the lake or lakes that interest you, and we’ll send you email notifications of anything going with the lake. And, if you want to find out what’s going on today, you can go to online and see an up-to-date report of all of our lakes and their activity at our Lake Watch program.

Friends, over the next few years, we will be conducting city business differently. Revenue will be drastically reduced and expenses will increase. It is imperative that we continue to focus on our core mission of public safety and streamline our constituent services. And, more than ever, that we continue to support our local businesses, keeping every dollar right here in Orlando!

As we embark on this campaign, I’m asking you to do three things. First, contribute…I can’t get a group like this together and not ask for money. You have already be very generous in these challenging times and I’m grateful for that. While we don’t’ have an opponent right now, we must remember that this is District 3…the most politically active district in Orlando.

Second, you can volunteer with our campaign. Take some of these flyers with you and share them with a friend. Over the next few weeks, we will begin walking our neighborhoods and asking for their input on how we can continue to make our community great. Please join us. Or, you can host a neighborhood coffee in your home. Coordinated with our walking schedule to get the most response, you can provide your home for a couple of hours to greet your neighbors. And, of course, help us make phone calls, take a bumper sticker, yard sign, and contribution envelope before you leave. Just use this to communicate to me, or write me through our website at VoteStuart.com.

Last, when the time comes, don’t forget to VOTE. Tell you neighbors, call your friends and let’s make sure we keep a strong leader working for you and all of Orlando.

As I have said at hundreds of local meetings, I’m honored that you have selected me to serve our community. It’s an honor and a trust that I don’t take lightly. I’m humbled that you have come tonight and am grateful for your support.

Thank you!

October 2009

April 1, 2009

No Fooling...on April 1, 2009, I submitted my paperwork for re-election to Orlando's City Council, District 3.

I'm writing you to let you know that "we're in!" Now, we begin the work toward March 9, 2010 and our re-election. Serving the citizens of our community has been both a challenge and a reward. Many of you have honored me with your friendship and support. You have offered your advice and provided a "gentle nudge" when required. And for this kind of support, I want to express my thanks.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be planning our formal kickoff. So, get ready. Meanwhile, we have begun reworking the website and expect it up in just a few days (I'll let you know). I have opened my campaign account and set up my campaign P.O. Box, so we can take contributions right away.

If you want to get your contribution in early, it would be greatly appreciated. You can give up to $500 per person or corporation and send your check to:

Robert Stuart Campaign
P. O. Box 547891
Orlando, FL 32854-7891

I'm excited about this step and look forward to talking with each of you as we get our kickoff plans together!

Thanks,