WINDERMERE
Observer
Independence Day celebration. SEE PAGE 3.
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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VOLUME 3, NO. 39
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THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
Classification modification? Proposal would have CFCA, West Orange hoops competing for same state title. SEE PAGE 9.
A Billings family passion
A Match for Matt
Rhino Décor opens in Winter Garden. See Page 15
YOUR TOWN THOMAS GRADUATES FROM BASIC TRAINING
Gabby Baquero
U.S. Air Force Airman Jaylin Thomas has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Thomas is the son of James Jaylin of Windermere and is a 2017 graduate of West Orange High School.
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID WINTER GARDEN, FL PERMIT NO. 81
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Postal Customer
Matthew Bustamante, Lisa Largue, Barbara Downing and Miguel Bustamante display a shirt the family designed to spread awareness of Matthew’s need for a kidney transplant.
Matthew Bustamante is a Windermere teen with failing kidneys who is in a race against time to find a kidney donor who could save his life. SEE PAGE 4.
Windermere to revise language in tree permit ordinance It was only recently discovered that Windermere’s tree ordinance, written in 2014, required authorization from the tree board for expenditures using the town’s tree mitigation funds. GABBY BAQUERO NEW EDITOR
Windermere soon will be revising its tree ordinance following the recent discovery of a language error and other concerns brought up by tree board members. The ordinance, as written in 2014, required authorization from the Wind-
ermere Tree Board to use tree mitigation funds for town projects. However, unbeknownst to the town council and town staff, the town has been inadvertently violating the ordinance in this respect because it has repeatedly authorized financial allocations of tree mitigation revenue without the tree board’s consent since the ordinance was created.
The so-called “scrivener’s error” was pointed out by Council Member Chris Sapp, who became the tree board liaison once he was sworn in March 13. “I didn’t know that it had that language in there requiring the consent of the tree board,” Smith said. “It actually was brought to my attention by Councilman Chris Sapp, who is the new tree SEE TREE PAGE 4