CLEWISTON -- There will be no solid waste collection on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 16, 2023, said Clewiston City Manager Randy Martin.  Monday’s routes will be collected on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  Please have your tipper carts roadside by 6 a.m. for collection.

Martin provided the following information and updates: 

Dates to Remember

Jan. 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – City Offices Closed

Jan. 17, 2023 – Special Magistrate Hearing

Jan. 19, 2023 – Golf Course Advisory Board Meeting

Jan. 23, 2023 – City Commission Meeting

Jan. 30, 2023 – City Commission Workshop

Office of the City Manager          

Citizens, Business Owners & Other Interested Parties:

In keeping with a standard practice of providing an end-of-year assessment and New Year’s prognosis, management prepared and presented its annual “State of the City” report at the December 19, 2022, City Commission Biennial Organizational meeting.  This document is intended to provide an administrative perspective on 2022 progress made and a view of expectations for 2023.  Since 2019, management has maintained a standard of weekly updates to the Commission, but a periodic collective assessment and reflection is believed to be a worthwhile complimentary effort.  The full report can be accessed by the following link:  https://www.clewiston-fl.gov/egov/documents/1673530458_9952.pdf.  Interested parties are encouraged to review the report to track efforts to progressively benefit the Clewiston community.

As 2022 proved, Clewiston, Fla., is susceptible to the threat of significant weather events.  Of primary importance during such periods is the provision of essential city services by local governments charged with that responsibility.  The City of Clewiston and its dedicated staff in all functions takes this responsibility very seriously.  In responding to the impacts locally of Hurricane Ian this past year, the city staff performed admirably in this regard based upon feedback received from the community.  Management was pleased with all department efforts to maintain services during and after the storm.  Occassionally, the efforts of city staff receive third party recognition for their specific roles which I am proud to report is the case with the city’s electric utility department.  This week, the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) announced its 2022 “Restoring Communities Awards” which recognize public power utilities that provide exemplary service to their customers or to peer utility systems in the form of mutual aid during and following significant weather events such as Hurricane Ian’s visit to this region of Florida.  Clewiston and its electric utility staff are among twenty-five Florida public power utilities honored for their efforts to restore power quickly and safely this past year.  The press release detailing this auspicious award can be accessed by the following link: https://www.clewiston-fl.gov/egov/documents/1673385871_87874.pdf.

In closing, I express my sincere hope that each of you had a blessed Christmas holiday season and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!

Thank you for your continued support and interest in the City of Clewiston.

Randy Martin

 Staff Reports

 Recreation & Leisure Services Director Lauren McGinnis reports:

• The 1^st Annual Tree Lighting Festival was a huge success! We would like to thank everyone in the community for their support and feedback. We are already planning next year’s event! If you have pictures that you would like to share please tag us on Facebook or email them to us. We love seeing you and your family enjoying our parks and events.