Assistance at the Gas Pump

Broward County recently passed a very innovative ordinance that will help anyone who is physically challenged and has difficulty pumping their own gasoline at a filling station.

The new law mandates that all self-serve gas stations post a sign on all gas pumps providing a telephone number to reach an attendant. As long as the driver has a cellphone, he or she will be able to get help.

I was very happy to introduce this ordinance thanks to Tom Werner, who is with the Paralyzed Veterans Association of Florida. I was also very happy that I had the full support by all Broward County Commissioners.

Gas stations have 90 days to comply with this ordinance which requires them to prominently display a sign, decal or sticker on a blue background with the telephone number for a handicapped driver to call for assistance at the pump. It is a minimal cost for the gas station and a big win for people who need a little extra help.

Everybody’s Cruising

Port Everglades currently holds the world record for the highest number of passengers sailing in and out of a seaport in a single day. It was March 20, 2010 with 53,365 guests passing through the Port. Although there were high hopes of breaking that incredible record again this year on March 17, the Port fell shy by just 745 passengers. Eight of the largest cruise ships at Port Everglades sailed that day from cruise lines including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, MSC and Holland America. Still, some 52,620 people set sail or returned from a fabulous cruise that day; quite impressive for Broward’s seaport! By the end of September, Port Everglades expects that over 3.6 million passengers will have come through the Port.

Meanwhile, Port Everglades has begun a $54 million cruise terminal renovation project at no cost to taxpayers which will transform four existing cruise terminals into modern passenger facilities for more than 30 different Carnival Corporation cruise ships as well as cruise ships from other lines. The various terminals will be completed between December 2012 and early June 2013. Learn more about taking a cruise at porteverglades.net.

Broward County Call Center

If you need information about Broward County Government, you can conveniently call one location to find information about all of the County’s agencies. The Broward County Call Center is a fast, simple and convenient way to reach trained, professional information specialists who are available in any language including English, Spanish and Creole.

The Call Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Under emergency conditions, like a hurricane, the Call Center is open 24/7.

The number is 954-831-4000, or just dial 3-1-1 from any phone in Broward County.

Broward’s Airport is Tops in Tech

PC World Magazine spent several months checking the 40 busiest airports in the country for hi-tech amenities. They spent an entire day at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) checking our Wi-Fi, cellular coverage, electrical outlet availability, etc. When the results came out, we were thrilled. FLL made the top 20 list. Overall, FLL was #11, but in some areas like Wi-Fi, we were #3. Check out the whole story.

---

Be sure to forward this email to your friends and neighbors who live in District 3 (Parkland, Coral Springs, Tamarac and North Lauderdale).

Stacy is a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. They meet each Wednesday at the Riverside Hotel.

Stacy talks with Airport Director Kent George in her Coffee with Stacy video series. This time, it was at a coffee shop in the car rental center at the Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport.

Commissioner Ritter gives Parkland residents information about Broward County during “Passport to Parkland.”

Commissioner Ritter reads the proclamation, presented to the Commission on the Status of Women. (L-R) Dodie Keith-Lazowick, Irma Hunter Wesley, Lucella Wittenkeller, Stacy, Catherine Kim Owens, Kimberly Greene, Deborah Mizell, Andrea McDowell JohnBaptiste, Andrea Schenck McKinnon, Eloise McCoy-Cain, Ghazala Salam and Leslie Sheffield.