As we move swiftly into February, I look forward to spending time in our community with the residents of District 3. Here are some highlights from January as well as a look at what is in store for next month. As always, it is a privilege and honor to serve as your County Commissioner for District 3.
Sincerely,
Sea Turtles
The Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program is happy to report that the number of documented sea turtles nests on Broward Beaches has gone up. A total of 3,587 nests were recorded for 2017, up from the previous record of 3,567 in 2016. Hurricane Irma and King Tide events that occurred late in the sea turtle nesting season, which runs annually from March 1st – October 31st, posed a threat to the number of sea turtle nests. Fortunately, these events resulted in only a small number of nests lost. Some of the remaining nests were reestablished after the storm by County surveyors or were unharmed by the storm and able to remain on the beach. This increase in nesting is a sign of optimism for sea turtle populations that return every year to our beautiful Broward Beaches.
Medical Marijuana
As a result of the overwhelming vote by citizens, medical marijuana is now legal in the State of Florida. At the last Commission meeting, the Board voted to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to be developed in the Broward Municipal Services District (unincorporated areas). In addition to providing people with the prescribed medical help they need, I believe these facilities will stimulate economic growth. I wanted to see for myself what the proposed dispensaries would look like for a community, so I drove up to Lake Worth to see their new facility. I was impressed by what I saw and strongly believe the residents of Broward will benefit from dispensaries in our community.
Amazon’s HQ2- South Florida is in the Top 20
Amazon announced its Top 20 finalists in the search for their new Headquarters “HQ2”, and the Tri-County area of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach made the cut. Amazon is proposing to bring 50,000 high-paying jobs and invest billions of dollars in the area they choose. To be successful in bringing well-established companies to our area, we must pursue these opportunities with a regional approach. If South Florida is chosen for HQ2, it is sure to be a game-changer for the future of Broward County.
Florida Renaissance Festival at Quiet Waters Park
The Florida Renaissance Festival returns to Broward County this year at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the event, which is typically hosted during February and March. Highlights of this event include an Artisan Marketplace, live performances, games, rides, food, and fun for the whole family. Support Broward Parks while enjoying a day out at this unique event! For more information on tickets prices and a calendar of dates and hours, visit Florida Renaissance Festival.
Update on our Mentee Nathan
Our mentee Nathan is making great progress and learning quickly about the workings of local government. We’ve started by exploring some of the responsibilities that cities and counties have in serving their residents. Nathan and I attended a wonderful event at the Tamarac Community Center commemorating The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nathan had the opportunity to meet a number of elected officials and department directors that were happy to be part of his learning experience. He even got a shout out and round of applause. Stay tuned for another update on Nathan’s progress!
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I was honored to attend several events in District 3 celebrating the life of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King dedicated his life to standing up to prejudice and fighting for equality for all. His example shines through generations and I am humbled to see the impact his life continues to have on our country. A very special thank you to the cities of District 3 for hosting such wonderful events commemorating the legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Right Tree, Right Place
At the January 23rd meeting, the Broward County Commission voted to draft an ordinance to regulate the placement of trees planted and maintained near power lines in the Broward Municipal Services District. We are all aware that a single fallen tree during a storm can knock out power for an entire block. This type of ordinance is a proactive approach to minimize damage and power outages during hurricanes, simply by ensuring that trees are planted in suitable places. The County will coordinate with local municipalities to work toward a countywide regulatory approach that will contribute to the safety of all residents.
Sandy Hook Roundtable
On January 22nd, I had the privilege of participating in the Sandy Hook Promise roundtable with Congressman Ted Deutch, local elected officials, law enforcement officers, and other community leaders to discuss solutions to prevent gun violence. We discussed several programs that focus on identifying warning signs of gun violence and providing training to respond to at-risk behavior. The Sandy Hook Promise implements programs around the County to help parents, teachers, and children foster the safest learning environment possible.
Team 91 Titans
I was proud to present a proclamation from the County Commission to Team 91 Titans, an incredible and well-deserving youth lacrosse team, ages 11-12, in District 3. The team has only been competing together for 3 months, but they have accomplished so much in a short amount of time. The team competed in and won the National Championship at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions over New Year’s weekend and has also qualified to represent the entire Southeastern United States at the World Series of Youth Lacrosse. Making this team even more unique is their goalie Caroline Kelly, who is the first female goalie to ever compete in the tournament. Their team spirit and determination was a joy to witness! Go Titans!
Contact Us
As always, our office is available to assist you. Feel free to contact us at 954-357-7003 or
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