***In 1953 ***
It all started with property sold by Arthur Galt.
This same year Polio Vaccine was discovered by Dr. Jonas Salk.
Ocean Front Development was slow to come.
The Beach Club was noted as a place to have fun!
A computer named UNIVAC was then in use.
Civil rights leaders received much abuse.
*** In 1962 ***
The first American in space, Quite a feat!
*** In 1963 ***
President John F. Kennedy assassinated on a Dallas street
*** In 1965 ***
The conflict in Vietnam, a most unpopular war
Our nation torn apart as never before
*** In 1969 ***
Neil Armstrong's foot on the moon, The Concord in flight
*** In 1972 ***
The Watergate Scandal ends Richard Nixon's political might
*** In 1978 ***
A non Italian Pope chose the name of John Paul.
In England the first test tube baby gave a bawl.
*** In 1980 ***
Our new President is Ronald Reagan, an actor of sorts
*** In 1981 ***
He appoints the first woman to the Supreme Court
Ocean Front Development was slow to come.
The Beach Club was noted as a place to have fun!
*** In 1986 ***
The space ship Challenger explodes with the loss of seven lives
*** In 1987 ***
Dow Jones hits 2000 and continues to survive
*** In 1989 ***
After all these years the Berlin Wall starts to fall.
The Eastern Bloc countries heed freedom's call
*** During 1991-2000 ***
Hurricanes Andrew created a devastating mess.
We're thankful it missed the Galt Mile, I must confess.
The Beautification of the Galt, an Earl Lifshey dream,
It's magnificence accomplished by a Fort Lauderdale Team.
A tunnel is opened between England and France,
Many people were happy and found cause to dance.
We've witnessed more changes than most of us will ever know
Countless wars, outer space, zippergate, all part of the show
From Eisenhower to G. W. Bush, Many a new face,
A total of ten presidents and we've kept up the pace
We wish you the best, what more can we say?
Congratulations to Galt on your Forthcoming 50th Birthday!
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In Memoriam
Dr. Alex Leeds Succumbs to Illness
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Galt Mile Civic Icon
Dr. Alex Leeds |
October 18, 2008 - On Thursday, October 16, 2008, thousands of Galt Ocean Mile residents learned about the loss of an irreplaceable friend. Following a tenacious struggle with cancer, Dr. Alexander Leeds passed away. It is unlikely that the colossal vacuum created by his untimely death will soon be filled... if ever. His unrelenting efforts to improve the lives of his neighbors, enhance the community and promote good health for hundreds of grateful patients will be sorely missed. By cloaking a piercing intelligence and soft heart in a laid-back friendly demeanor, Alex naturally commanded the respect and trust of these neighbors, patients and peers.
While many Doctors demonstrate admirable levels of commitment, Alex nourished a long term love affair with his patients. Most physicians identify their patients as customers whose office chart is filled with medical histories, medical claim forms, x-rays and payment ledgers. Alex's practice additionally extended to hundreds of friends, neighbors and acquaintances who, despite never visiting his medical office, unhesitatingly called on him for advice about their health, their homes, their families and with personal problems of every stripe. They knew that his moral compass was as trustworthy as his medical opinion.
Dr. Leeds graduated from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1975 with a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and did his residency at Washington Hospital Center. Alex was joined by his son, Robert Leeds, who managed his thriving Galt Ocean Village Medical Center at 3294 NE 33rd Street in Fort Lauderdale - down the block from his home. Along with another office at 4420 W Oakland Park Boulevard in Lauderdale Lakes, he operated the Osteoporosis Imaging Center, a Radiology Laboratory and Diagnostic Center. Alex also worked with his son, Dr. Mark Leeds, who followed in his father's footsteps, also earning a DO from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. Alex enjoyed professional affiliations with Holy Cross Hospital at 4725 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation General Hospital at 401 NW 42nd Avenue in Plantation and the Florida Medical Center at 5000 W Oakland Park Boulevard in Lauderdale Lakes. Board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, his practices meticulously kept pace with ever-changing cutting edge medical technologies. Consistent with a personal philosophy deeply immersed in "giving back", Alex was also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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| L'Hermitage II |
Having earned the respect and admiration of his L'Hermitage II neighbors at 3200 North Ocean Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Alex was elected President of their Condominium Association. He was also elected President of the L'Hermitage Community Association, serving the residents of both L'Hermitage Condominium Associations. He deployed sensibility and sensitivity to balance the needs of his neighbors with those of the Associations. Alex and wife Marilyn worked as a team, contending with daily Association issues and helping residents address an endless litany of personal and association problems. He worked with his peers on the board to maintain L�Hermitage�s sterling reputation as a top-flight condominium.
A tireless civic leader, Alex served as a member of the Galt Mile Community Association Advisory Board, where he contributed to countless neighborhood improvements. Since Alex both lived and worked in the community, his unique perspective proved an invaluable asset to the neighborhood association. Not surprisingly, his fellow business owners elected Alex President of the Galt Merchants Association.
In this capacity, Alex participated in the 32nd Street Alley Partnership. In 1996, stagnant water collecting in the 32nd Street Alley between 32nd Street and Oakland Park Boulevard caused a portion of the alley infrastructure to collapse. If the polluted ponding water were discharged into nearby stormwater drains, it could have infused local rivers, lakes, and canals with a broad range of noxious and toxic contaminants. The Galt Merchants Association, the Galt Mile Community Association, local merchants, businesses, and the City of Fort Lauderdale formed the Alley Partnership to finally address this persistent problem. After more than a decade of working with the City and an evolving merchant population, Dr. Leeds and Commissioner Christine Teel were able to induce the City to rehabilitate the alley's drainage functionality, primarily because Alex elicited the cooperation of contentious area merchants who promised to maintain a clean drainage environment.
During the Holiday season, the Galt Ocean Village Shoppes neighborhood was annually devoid of seasonal lighting. At a meeting attended by group of participating merchants, Community Association representatives Ralph Hamaker from Coral Ridge Towers South and former GMCA President Bob Rozema, City of Fort Lauderdale staffers Hal Barnes, Mike Fayyez and Tom Terrell, and Alfred Russillo of FP&L (Florida Power & Light), Alex and City Commissioner Christine Teel addressed the technical and financial obstacles responsible for the neighborhood�s lack of seasonal illumination. Due to the area�s inadequate electrical underpinnings, Dr. Leeds had to elicit City cooperation to install special outlets and convertors to power the festive atmospheric lighting and FP&L to discount the juice expense. If not for his yearly efforts, the entire largely commercial district and the Coral Ridge Towers complex would have remained a seasonal �no mans land�.
In 2003, Alex transformed a $15,000 capital improvement program grant received from the City of Fort Lauderdale into a viable and exciting Master Plan designed to morph the Galt Ocean Village Shoppes into a vibrant tourist magnet and an exemplary commercial success. The Master Plan serves to heighten the aesthetics, functionality, and economic viability of the area bounded by the Intracoastal Waterway on the west, A1A on the east, Oakland Park Boulevard on the south, and NE 34th Street on the north. Created by the Architectural Alliance under the guidance of City Project Engineer Hal Barnes, the potpourri of storefront, streetscape, and waterfront improvements was carefully designed to enhance the catchment area.
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FORMER GMCA PRESIDENT
ROBERT ROZEMA |
After overseeing the plan's creation, Alex negotiated with participating merchants to commence implementation. Given the transitory merchant population, he was forced to alter his strategy. Alex worked with the late GMCA President Robert Rozema to attract three major project components deemed necessary to enervate the Master Plan. They successfully lobbied City Hall to build the Beach Community Center in the Galt Ocean Village Shoppes neighborhood. Rozema and Leeds convinced the neighborhood association Board of Directors and Advisory Board that two additional major developments would be needed to help fund some of the Master Plan's critical offerings. Several years later, Il Lugano's developer upgraded aspects of 34th Street. When developer Opus South bought the former La Reserve property on the Intracoastal Waterway just north of the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge, Alex negotiated their enhancing the 32nd Street side of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, a corporate policy change precipitated their withdrawal from the project last year, prompting Alex to immediately commence hunting for a viable replacement.
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| GALT OCEAN VILLAGE SHOPPES NEIGHBORHOOD |
This year, the irrepressible Dr. Leeds consummated a deal with the city to permanently improve some of the area�s lighting deficiencies and install an entry portal to the Galt Ocean Village Shoppes neighborhood. The Galt Merchants Association and the Galt Mile Community Association cooperatively applied to access matching grant funds to help stimulate commercial interest in the area. While stricken and unable to attend Advisory Board meetings, Alex pursued the improvements via telephone and Marilyn made monthly progress reports. Tragically, Alex ultimately encountered the only obstacle capable of stopping this force of nature that brightened our lives for so many years.
As the beloved & adored husband of Marilyn, devoted son of Gertrude, loving brother of Rebecca, loving and worshiped father of Karen, Francene, Mark & Stacy, Robert & Mary, Daniel, Tifini and cherished Papa of Zachary, Victoria, Rachel, Emily, Harmony and Jessica, Alex filled the hearts of fortunate friends and 4 generations of a close-knit nurturing family.
Upon learning of his passing on Thursday morning at 8:45 PM, L'Hermitage II Manager Paul Moore notified friends, neighbors, association and civic leaders that a Chapel Service would be held on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. at Star of David Funeral Chapel (7701 Bailey Road) in North Lauderdale, FL 33068 (Tel: 954-722-9000). Services would be followed by a gathering in the L�Hermitage II Ocean Room at 3200 North Ocean Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Contributions may be made to Sylvester Cancer Center.
Please Note - Many of the links included in these articles from the past are no longer active.
The article below was written by longtime Commodore resident and Advisory Board member George Mayer, and first published in Edition #001 of the 
Originally from the streets of Manhattan in the Big Apple, Jim graduated from 
Charles Rossi carried a unique responsibility with regard to his position as a Director on the Galt Mile Community Association Board. Hailing from Coral Ridge Towers North, Charles was the sole representative to the Board of Directors of a Cooperative during his tenure. He fought to insure that the four cooperatives comprising the Coral Ridge Towers Complex were never neglected while designing community objectives. Rossi also saw to it that the Association included cooperatives while struggling to promote sensible Association rights and regulations. 
Dick Tymeson Passes 
Bob helped organize the 
of Life 
While Helen professed her life�s �secret� as keeping a healthy sense of humor, her REAL secret was that she didn�t reflect light... she created it. Helen passed away on July 26th. May she rest in peace.
