• Beginning immediately, the hospital asks all members of the public who are sick not to visit patients at the hospital. This includes individuals who have symptoms such as fever, cough and/or sore throat.

• Children under the age of 16 are welcome to visit patients in the hospital, but they should be well and not suffering from a fever, cough and/or sore throat.

• The hospital encourages all visitors to wash their hands thoroughly before visiting patients. Additionally, at all hospital entryways, hand sanitizer stations and face masks have been made available for extra precaution.

• The hospital asks the public to be aware that special precautions for visitors have been implemented at the Regency Center for Women and Infants. The federal Centers for Disease Control has identified pregnant women and infants as two groups facing increased risks from H1N1 infection.

• Winter Haven Hospital staffers are being vaccinated against the seasonal flu virus and will receive the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it becomes available.

Kaye Hixon, Phd, RN, Administrative Vice President at Winter Haven Hospital, said the hospital is seeking to “strike the proper balance between the medical priorities of our patients and the role families play in our patients’ recovery.”

“We know that family visits play a very important role for our patients in terms of emotional support and motivating them to get better,” Hixon said. “At the same time, we have to take appropriates steps to ensure that we discourage the spread of the virus to the greatest extent possible.”

Hixon added that Winter Haven Hospital’s H1N1 task is working with the Polk County Health Department and the federal CDC to address the public health needs of the community. She said the hospital is delivering educational materials about the virus to patients and their families.  She also said the hospital will make available public speakers who can address community groups and deliver accurate and timely information about the H1N1 virus.

The Chamber’s next Business Women’s Luncheon on December 1 will feature Polk County Health Department Director Dr. Daniel Haight addressing both the status of and precautions for this extraordinary flu season.

The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce has been notified by the U. S. Chamber that it has been awarded it’s second continuous Four Star Accreditation effective through 2014.  The Chamber is among less that 4% of the nation’s 7,000 Chambers of Commerce to earn this recognition. The accreditation process involves a rigorous eight-part examination of such areas as HR policies, financial policies, building and facilities, communications, Web site and electronic communications, government and legislative affairs and more. The application requires more than six months to complete.

The Winter Haven Chamber has been continuously accredited for the past 30 years. The process involves minimum requirements which, if you meet them, earns basic accreditation. Then there are three, four and five star recognitions for Chambers that exceed those basic requirements.

The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring exceptional programs and services to our members. We would like to thank all members who volunteer time, talent and investments to make our many programs successful. We are grateful also for our strong partnership with the City of Winter Haven. Without each of you this Chamber would not have the resources or the talent to reach this level of recognition.

We’re proud to serve you and appreciate your involvement!

Ghoul’s Night Out
Friday Night, October 30

The City of Winter Haven will present a great night for ghosts and goblins of all ages at Ghoul’s Night Out from 6 – 9 p.m. Downtown the fun starts in the parks.

Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum
Friday and Saturday Night, October 30 and 31

Ridge Art presents “Terror on the Ridge – Bedlam Asylum” recommended for ages 12 and up. Special “Lights On Tour” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday only) for the faint at heart. ($3 per person) Then, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. the Terror returns. Be the first to be “committed!” ($8 per person) Halloween Night they’ll be open the asylum from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight.  ($8 per person)

Saturday, October 31
Downtown Street Party for Adults (Central Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets

Arabella’s Ave. Bar and Tanner’s Pub present this first ever Halloween evening for Grown Ups! Dance in the street to music by the New Beginnings Band. 8:30 p.m. to Midnight. Costume Contest with CASH PRIZES at 11 p.m. DJ Bob in Tanner’s Courtyard and DJ Smooth on Tanner’s Main Stage inside. So much fun … it’ll scare the bejeebies out of you! Brought to you by the Boys and Ghouls of

Lasater’s was similarly honored by the Winter Haven Chamber at their September Annual Meeting. The Chamber then submitted their company profile as a nomination for the East Polk Awards. The ceremonies took place the the Lake Eva Banquet facilities in Haines City. Progress Energy was recognized with East Polk’s Large Industry Award.

Read the complete story and watch video interview here.

Kalogridis is the son of the late Tony and Judy Kalogridis. Tony was a much beloved pharmacist who operated a popular downtown Winter Haven pharmacy for many years. The Chamber is proud to report this outstanding accomplishment about an outstanding former resident.

We wish Mr. Kalogridis continued success.

Bring your friends to Central Park, downtown Winter Haven from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Live music by BandHaven. Beer and bratwurst may be purchased individually, or V.I.P. tickets are available for $15 each, or two for $25 (include food and admission to the beer-tasting tent allowing guests to sample more than 15 specialty beers).

The sponsors are Bernie Little Distributors, Inc., the City of Winter Haven and Main Street Winter Haven, Inc.

As long as you’re downtown you can also have the bejeebies scared out of you (for those with too many bejeebies) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. when you visit Ridge Art’s “Terror on the Ridge: Bedlam Asylum” … a haunted house for adults and children age 12 and up. Based on an insane asylum theme, this will be an intense experience created in 13 rooms of sheer horror. Located just east of the historic Ritz Theatre, there is a $7 admission fee that benefits the arts group.

Make this Friday a night in Downtown Winter Haven!

Winter Haven City Manager David Greene spoke to a capacity Chamber breakfast audience this morning outlining the current state of the community. The presentation was an overall comparison of Winter Haven 2000 vs. Winter Haven 2009 and the statistics were impressive.  Winter Haven’s current financial position is strong in spite of current economic challenges.

Here are some interesting Winter Haven comparisons of 2000 vs. 2009:

2000               2009*

Population:                                                  26,487              34, 464

City Size:                                                      23 sq. mi.         39.7 sq. mi.

# of Employees                                          488                     475

Millage rate/$1,000                                6.325                 5.79

Taxable Property Value                          $814 mil           $1.9 billion

Ad Valorem Tax Collections                 $4.9 mil            $12.5 mil

General Fund Balance                            $3.8 mil           $9.5 mil

Gen Fund Avail Reserve                         $1.7 mil            $7.9 mil

Self Insure Healthcare Fund                 ($.5 mil)           $3 mil (est.)

State and Federal Grants                       $1.3 mil             $7 mil

Invested Cash                                           $39.4 mil          $65 mil

Library Borrower Cards                         18,257               40,015

The 2009-10 City budget includes Police protection $9.4 million, Fire protection $6.2 million and Quality of Life/Leisure Services $5.2 million.

Greene noted that the city has no interest in growing to compete with Lakeland in size. He complimented the neighboring city for their success and vision. He stated that Winter Haven’s plans have been to grow within our general area and protect that which makes us unique and distinct. When asked what his “dream list” for the future among the projects he listed:

- continuing necessary infrastructure and capital improvments

- a firm commitment to support the USF Polytechnic Business Accelerator and expanding
downtown technology core

- extension of the Chain of Lakes Trail southward along Third Street, SW.

- a beautifully landscaped “Roundabout” at the intersection of Third St./Magnolia
Avenue/Avenue B, SW providing a newly renovated gateway to downtown

- construction of Trailhead Park adjacent to the Garden Center and Chain of Lakes Trail

- renovations and improvements to Inman Park at the City’s Northern gateway

Test Your Knowledge:

List the top property owners of taxable value in Winter Haven. (Answers at bottom of this post)

David Greene has served as City Manager since July of 2001. He brings more than 31 years of experience to the job. As he looks to the future considering the current economic environment he predicts it will be 2012 before area municipalities see an improved economic picture.

Perhaps one breakfast attendee summed it up best when they commented, “Great to know our city is in such great shape during such a difficult time.”

* 2009 figures are unaudited at this time

(Top taxable value property owners in the City of Winter Haven: Wal Mart – $50 million taxable value; Carlton Arms Apartments – $36 million taxable value; State Farm Insurance Company – $29 million taxable value; Hansen Pipe – $16.3 million taxable value; Lake Ashton II – $15.7 million taxable value)

Our 2009 Membership Survey produced a variety of interesting information. When we asked you the question, “In terms of receiving Chamber communications, my preferred source is _____________?”

Eighty-three percent of the respondents said their preferred source for communications was e-mail. Fifteen percent preferred printed publications and 15% preferred blog posts. Based upon this response we are going to try sending “Haven View” via this blog. You can access the Fall issue here.

You will find the same high production values you have come to expect — and it is a much more “green” way to distribute this information.

This month you will find information on our 2009 Economic Summit, Industry Award winners and much more. Take a look, download or print the file.

Let us know how this works for you. We will re-evaluate the process for 2010-11.

Commissioner Mike Easterling

Steven Hunnicutt

The Chamber compiled basic information from questionnaire answers from the candidates. It is available here.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. this evening. Do your part and participate in the democratic process.

Marine Supply, The Boating Center moved it’s Sales Office to 1491 3rd Street S.W. (U. S. 17 location across from the former Cypress Lincoln Mercury Dealership). The new location offers a much larger area to display more customer consignment boats. Future plans are to open a tackle store at this location as well. Currently the site will be used to display new and preowned boats and engines.