Enjoy Broward This Summer

Summer is here. Time for you to check out everything Broward County has to offer without the crowds. Don’t get me wrong, I love the tourists and you should too. They bring $9.4 billion to our local economy each year. In fact, we have many amazing facilities in Broward specifically because 11 million of them show up each winter. Now that it’s off-season, it’s time for us to enjoy!

Your favorite restaurant will have a shorter line. The malls will be less crowded. Catch a movie in an air-conditioned theater. Take a ride to the beach and enjoy plenty of space to sprawl out with plenty of parking spaces. 

Cool off at one of our four Broward County water parks.

Consider a visit to the African American Research Library and Cultural Center currently celebrating its 10th anniversary.  “The Fabulous Forties on the Avenue,” has interactive displays, photographs and artifacts from 1940 to 1949 including a pristine condition 1941 Lincoln Continental convertible. Best of all, the exhibit is absolutely free.

Take a ride to one of our wonderful nature centers such as Anne Kolb. You won’t believe you’re still in a busy urban county like Broward.

Don’t forget to put together your hurricane kit, too. Although we have not seen a severe storm since 2005, we all need to be prepared. You can also request a hurricane guide in large print, and you can subscribe to the latest hurricane email updates, follow us on twitter.com/ReadyBroward or like us on facebook.com/BrowardEMD. 

Above all, I hope you have a safe and happy summer. If I can be of any assistance, feel free to call my office at 954-357-7003 or you can email me directly at sritter@broward.org

Art Helps Our Economy

Broward County’s arts and culture industry helped pump $230 million into our local economy between 2005-2010. According to a study by Americans for the Arts, $103 million was spent by non-profit groups and $127 million was event-related spending by audiences.

The arts in Broward are responsible for 6,402 full-time-equivalent jobs, generate $157 million in household income to local residents, and deliver nearly $22 million in local and state government revenue. Did you know that an arts and cultural visitor to Broward County spends an average of $34.60 in audience participation, while a resident spends an average of $21.63? This highlights the importance of the cultural tourist in economic development plans.

Positive Employment News!

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance announced in May that the unemployment rate in Broward was 7.5 percent, the lowest it has been in three years. The Alliance also says Broward County gained more manufacturing jobs in the last year than any other metro area in the state and has now experienced 18 consecutive months of over-the-year job growth. With additional projects including the new Broward County Courthouse, which received final approval from the Broward County Commission in June, the Courthouse parking garage, a renovation project for Port Everglades’ cruise ship terminals and the expansion of the runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, I’m confident we are getting our economy in Broward turned around.

Listen and View Commission Meetings

I hope you participate in your County government by tuning in to the Broward County Commission meetings. Comcast customers can watch the meetings live on Channel 12 at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. They are rebroadcast the following Friday at 5:30 p.m. Advanced Communications in Coral Springs broadcasts the meetings live on Channel 64.

You don’t have to be near a television to watch the meetings. They are also available live from our broward.org website.

Hearing impaired residents can watch the closed captioning of the meetings on both the cable broadcast and from Video Central. Visually impaired residents can use a screen reader and listen to the closed-caption text on the screen.

View our complete schedule of meetings and upcoming agendas.

Stacy presents a check for just over $9,000 to the City of Parkland for improvements to “Barkland” Dog Park. Pictured with Stacy (L-R) are Parkland City Officials: Commissioner John Willis, Commissioner Dave Rosenof, Mayor Michael Udine, Commissioner Jared Moskowitz and Vice Mayor Mark Weissman.

Stacy with Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti during a BSO community event at Kings Point in Tamarac.

Stacy tours the 10th Anniversary exhibit at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center with Assistant Regional Library Manager Essie Denoms. You can take the free tour at the library or watch it on YouTube.

Stacy presents a proclamation to Eagle Scout Ryan Draddy for his achievement. Ryan is joined by his proud Mom, Kerry.

Stacy receives the Lifetime Young Democrat award from the Broward Young Democrats. She is pictured here with BYD VP of Political Affairs, Nick Steffens.