DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER & V.M. BRUCE G. ROBERTS

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the Holiday Season. The Downtown Countdown 2010, which was held New Year's Eve, was a huge success and ushered in our Centennial. Thousands of residents and visitors packed downtown Fort Lauderdale on New Year�s Eve to ring in 2011 at the City of Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown Countdown. Presented by Ford Motor Company, this year�s event was bigger and better than ever! The free, 12-hour street festival kicked off with an array of family activities at Esplanade Park that included bounce houses, face painting, inflatables, and a DJ with music, games and contests.

DOWNTOWN COUNTDOWN CROWD

At 7:00 p.m., families gathered around the main stage to enjoy a special kids countdown and ball lighting. As midnight approached, the Mayor and City Commissioners took to the stage to begin the official countdown to 2011. When the clock struck midnight, thousands cheered as the �Downtown Countdown� ball, illuminated with more than 10,000 LED lights, dropped from the sky to officially kick off 2011. The ball drop was immediately followed by a five-minute fireworks display that brilliantly illuminated the sky above Downtown Fort Lauderdale with bursts of colorful pyrotechnics. In addition to the Ford Motor Company, the City would like to thank the Orange Bowl, Corona Light, Downtown Development Authority, Florida Power & Light, Sun-Sentinel and Tarpon Bend for their generous sponsorship of Downtown Countdown, and for helping the City provide a free, fun and family friendly event.

As we begin our Centennial in 2011, I believe it is a good time to pause and reflect on some of our achievements over the past year:

• 364 calls for service were logged into our office by concerned citizens of District 1 in 2010: 90 are still open and seeking action - 18 of which are awaiting input by City or County staff (road closures, traffic studies, code violations, etc.), and while completed, another 72 still remain open for additional action by City staff, or for future consideration by the City Commission. 274 calls have been completed.

• Once again, no increase in the current operating millage rate of 4.1193; we now have the 7^th lowest operating millage rate of 31 municipalities in Broward County. This also equates to the 3^rd lowest rate among Florida�s fourteen largest cities.

• Also, for the second straight year, no increase in the fire assessment fee.

• In 2010, serious crime declined citywide by approximately 4% when compared to 2009. (Final official figures are not yet available.)

• Initiated Police/Fire pension reform in finalizing contract negotiations.

• Our reserve fund stands at 19% of the General Fund Budget; this exceeds the nationally recommended range of 7% to 15%.

• In the past two years, 145 vacant funded personnel positions were eliminated.

• 13 parks have been outfitted with lightning warning systems, and 2 new parks are scheduled to open within the next few weeks.

• We hosted approximately 200 special events, which were produced by other organizations.

• Decisions on major projects, which have lingered for years, are now being moved forward, e. g. Sistrunk Corridor, Bahia Mar and South Andrews Avenue Business District.

• Strong economic development support through partnerships such as the Chamber of Commerce�s �Business First� initiative; the TMA�s (Sun Trolley) plan to expand routes which will cater to hundreds of thousands of cruise ship passengers and bring them to our business and entertainment venues. (In the future, I will provide more details.)

• We have had meetings and public workshops with many of our advisory boards and committees, e.g. Budget Advisory Board, Centennial Committee, Sustainability Committee (now a board), Visioning Committee and Beach Redevelopment Board. Follow-up meetings are scheduled.

These are just a sampling of what your Commission has been working with you to accomplish in these tough economic times. It also demonstrates my focused commitment towards my previous promise to:

• Bring back citizen participation in government decisions

• Bring back effective and efficient public safety

• Bring back collegial leadership to the City Commission

• Bring back balanced development that will protect our neighborhoods and green space

I want to thank City staff for their constant dedication in addressing all of the concerns, issues and ideas that come through the Commission Office � not only for District 1, but also for the City as a whole. We still have much more that we can do. I am looking forward to another year of working for you.

CITY MANAGER SEARCH UPDATE: Our consultant has met with the Mayor and all of the Commissioners as well as with the Commission-appointed City Manager Search Committee to obtain input related to the qualities, experience and leadership skills deemed necessary for this position. The City Manager Search Committee has also met to develop their guidelines to proceed with their task of narrowing down finalists for Commission deliberations. In the future, I will keep you informed of public meetings to discuss the selection of the City Manager.

HEALTH DEPT, FBI, DEA, BSO AND FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE LOAD IMPOUNDED DOCUMENTS DURING RAID

PAIN CLINICS: A few months ago, I mentioned that this problem continues to spread and disrupt the integrity of our community. Florida�s crackdown on unscrupulous pain clinics has stalled again in Tallahassee, pending a review by the newly elected governor. Strict new rules for these pain clinics and their doctors were to take effect November 28. The rules have been in the works for 14 months. The delay appears to undercut State Department of Health plans to start detailed inspections of the approximately 1,000 pain clinics in Florida � especially ones in Broward and Palm Beach counties that have become a major source of millions of narcotic pills for drug dealers and addicts throughout the Southeast. To date, we have closed two clinics by Holy Cross, one by the Executive Airport, one on Oakland Park Boulevard, and "raided" the clinic near Broward General Hospital. I know there are several others in the City, but please be assured that this Commission is aggressively pursuing the elimination of ALL illegal pain clinic operations within our City. Our Police Department and Code Enforcement are actively involved in this undertaking along with federal agencies and the Florida Department of Health. At the 1/4/11 Commission Meeting, we requested our City Attorney to extend our moratorium prohibiting the licensing of new pain clinics. I will also be in contact with our lobbyists to make sure that this issue continues to move forward at the state level. Please contact our State legislators and the new Governor to make our voices heard on this important issue.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION (FEBRUARY AND MARCH EVENTS):

• February 5 � �Too Hot to Hide� one-hour walking tour starting at 2 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Woman�s Club, featuring history of Annie Jumper, Katherine Rawls, Ivy Stranahan and Frankee Lewis

• February 7 - Centennial look at the Bonnet House in the 1930�s

• February 10 � �My Soul is a Witness� - Centennial Celebration of the 10^th anniversary of this book, which is a history of Black Fort Lauderdale - Old Dillard Museum at 6 p.m.

• February 19 � Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center

• February 25 - Pineapple Jazz Jam Centennial Celebration at the Stranahan House

• February 25 - Dixie Zone/18th Annual Masters Challenge featuring a Centennial tribute at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex

• February 26 - Sistrunk Centennial Parade and Street Festival hosted by Sistrunk Historical Festival cultural organization to celebrate the accomplishments of people of African descent, on the Sistrunk Corridor from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

• March 3 - Centennial Sue, a friend of Ivy (Stranahan) and Julia (Tuttle), shares memories 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. at the almost 100-year-old First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale

• March 4 - School Board of Broward County Centennial History Fair

• March 5 - Too Hot to Hide one-hour walking tour starting at 2 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Woman�s Club, featuring history of Annie Jumper, Katherine Rawls, Ivy Stranahan and Frankee Lewis

• March 10 - Riverwalk Trust Centennial Tribute to the Seminole Tribe of Florida at Timpano Chophouse and Martini Bar

• March 12 - Centennial Parade and Festival celebrating St. Patrick's Day

• March 14 - Centennial Life in Fort Lauderdale 1911-1920 lecture at the Bonnet House

• March 17 - The Centennial and 49th Annual Mayor�s Prayer Breakfast

• March 20 - Grand re-opening of the 1922 Southside School, located at 701 South Andrews Avenue, with a Centennial tribute to one of the first elementary schools in Broward County; it has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 2006

• March 22, 23, 24 - Business Fair demonstrating the economic development links between Fort Lauderdale and Medellin, Columbia, sponsored by Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International

• March 25 - Tropical Symphonic concert at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Fort Lauderdale and Medellin, Columbia, sponsored by Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International. -This musical sound fusion is a tribute to our cultural similarities

• March 26 - Centennial Bonnet House Tour by Dr. George

• March 27 - Centennial Birthday Party! 100th Anniversary of the incorporation of Fort Lauderdale on the Riverwalk

• March 27 - 9:00 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Paul George will host a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Fort Lauderdale

• March 28 � Keith Hendee says the Gateway Theatre once was a zoo! These and other historic facts discussed with the Broward House Alliance lunch at the Bimini Boatyard, call (954) 772-9647

ROBBI UPTEGROVE

DON�T FORGET: � if you have any photos of landmarks, people, events or otherwise from the past 100 years that you would like to share with the City (so that they can be used as part of the slideshow that will be shown throughout the City during our Centennial Celebration), let us know as soon as possible. We have only a few so far and we would really like to have District 1 represented! Thank you in advance.

Office Contact: Robbi Uptegrove � 954-828-5033; email: [email protected]. In addition to hosting two pre-agenda meetings twice a month, I am also available to attend your HOA meetings to update your neighborhood on what is going on in the City as well as answer any questions/concerns you may have. Please contact Robbi to schedule.

Bruce G. Roberts                

If you need to reach Commissioner Bruce Roberts, please contact his assistant Robbi Uptegrove at 954-828-5033 or by e-mail at [email protected]. To access the City Commission Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Click Here. To actually watch the meetings recorded and archived on the Commission Meetings Video Webcast and Archives web site, Click Here.

In April, 2007, the City of Fort Lauderdale sent violation notices to every beachfront Galt Mile association. The blank notice area was footnoted with �6-51 Artificial Lighting Violation.�. The footnote referred to a little known city ordinance governing turtle-safe lighting requirements for beachfront communities. 14 days were allotted to cure the mysterious infraction. In a nutshell, it required associations to turn off lights illuminating the east side of each building during the eight-month turtle nesting season.

Within 48 hours, confused and irate managers and association officials from fourteen Galt Mile Community Association (GMCA) members contacted the neighborhood association with questions about the surprise violation notice. The obscure 2003 ordinance was shelved when the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons made enforcement impossible. The notice was a ham-handed attempt to revive the dormant regulation. The ordinance opens with �It is the policy of the City of Fort Lauderdale that no artificial light shall illuminate any area of the incorporated beaches of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.� Any light source visible from the beach triggered a violation.

Darkening the rear of every building within two weeks would produce intolerable insurance and security repercussions. Legal liability for trip and fall incidents on darkened association property would be unquestionably dumped onto the City. The wholesale subrogation of medical claims for injuries, especially from elderly victims, would become a line item in the municipal budget. It also threatened beachfront homeowners with serious security consequences. When the neighborhood association informed the compliance officer that the member associations would see him in court, he requested a meeting.

TURTLE HATCHLING DEATH TRAP

A few days later, GMCA officials met with Al Lovingshimer, the City of Fort Lauderdale Code Inspector who signed the notices. Addressing the heavy-handed manner in which associations were notified, Lovingshimer said �I regret any confusion caused by the threatening tone of the notices, we simply wanted to improve the survival rates for turtle hatchlings and their nesting mothers. It is unfortunate that half the boilerplate notice was devoted to non-compliance penalties. That was not the message we wanted to get across.� He was charged with enforcing an ordinance that few residents were familiar with and fewer understood. Lovingshimer said that he simply wanted to explain the ordinance to Galt Mile residents. After admitting, �I don�t know where to start,� he asked for help.

TURTLE HATCHLINGS LEAVING NEST

For millions of years, nesting female sea turtles have been laying their eggs on our beaches. Their hatchling turtles were guided to the ocean by an instinct to travel away from the dark silhouettes of dune vegetation and toward the moonlight-illuminated open ocean. In many highly populated coastal areas, artificial lights near the beach are brighter than the moonlit ocean, reversing the turtles� biological compass. Nesting females seeking the darkened shore instead head out to sea where they cannot lay their eggs. If they find the shore and successfully deposit their eggs, the disoriented hatchlings travel inland, toward the artificial lights, where they often die from dehydration or predation by fire ants and ghost crabs. They also become �road kill� on local thoroughfares.

Sea turtles are either endangered or threatened (the loggerhead is the only species that has sufficient population to be classified as threatened in Florida). They are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and Florida�s Marine Turtle Protection Act (379.2431, Florida Statutes). Florida Law (F.A.C. Rule 68E-1) also restricts molestation or harassment of marine turtles, nests or eggs as well as the marine turtle habitat. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) together review permits for coastal construction under Chapter 62B, F.A.C. (Florida Administrative Code) that affects Marine Turtles. The state of Florida developed a model lighting ordinance (62B-55, F.A.C.) to guide local governments in creating turtle-safe lighting ordinances.

Broward County adopted Chapter 39, Article IX, Sec 39-107 in 1989. Ten years later, Pompano Beach followed their lead (Ords 99-18, 2000-64), Deerfield Beach in 2000 (Chapter 34, Article V, Sec 34-96), Hallandale Beach in 2001 (Ch. 6, Art. I), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in 2002 and Fort Lauderdale in 2003 (Chapter 6, Article III, Div. 2, Sec. 6-51). Every jurisdiction that passed a local variation of the State template assigned a liaison to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Fort Lauderdale�s official contact in 2007 was Al Lovingshimer.

Lovingshimer complained that the City was being pressured by Tallahassee to achieve results at the expense of public safety. As the City�s liaison officer with Florida Fish & Wildlife�s (FWC) Sea Turtle program, he was summoned to Tallahassee for workshops organized to prepare local �representatives� for their duties. While most of the FWC personnel openly advocated diplomacy, restraint, education and good sense when enforcing a turtle-safe lighting ordinance, several oversight program officials attempted to enlist code officers to an agenda that deliberately fueled controversy with coastal residents. Postulating that the State�s coastal environment could only be salvaged by purging beachfront residents, these bureaucrats were considerably more interested in fomenting a protracted environmental litigation than saving hatchlings.

WINDOWS SHUTTERED FOR 8-MONTH NESTING SEASON???

FWC BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR DR. ROBBIN TRINDELL

When Lovingshimer asked why he should follow their advice and risk a reprimand or suspension, they told him that this was a war, requiring �whatever it takes� to win. Lovingshimer described an incident wherein he was approached by two FWC officials who asked if he would be willing to order the shuttering of all windows overlooking the beach for the turtle nesting season (a mitigation strategy described in the ordinance). Another asked if he could disable (vandalize) lamps on private property (not part of the ordinance). He characterized them as a small but vocal clique of �dangerous CIA wannabes� who promote a radical agenda from within the State�s environmental bureaucracy. Emphasizing that they do not reflect official FWC policy, Lovingshimer commented, �It�s too bad, Dr. Trindell (FWC Marine Turtle Program Biological Administrator Dr. Robbin Trindell) has done so much to rescue these species from extinction while these loose cannons are undermining her efforts.� He assured GMCA officials that their efforts to recruit local compliance personnel failed, stating, �Professional code compliance officers are dedicated to resident safety, not declaring war on the residents they are supposed to protect.�

CITY DARKENS A!A

GMCA officials were initially concerned that Lovingshimer�s anecdote was laced with paranoid overtones. However, when the City later turned off street lights along A1A before installing turtle-safe replacement lighting � virtually blackening the entire downtown beach area for months � it became evident that Lovingshimer was not only lucid, but dead on target.

SEAS A LADY - NO IDENTIFICATION OR ENGINES

The City got another dose of the State�s environmental schizophrenia when huge sections of the abandoned 50-foot fishing vessel �Seas a Lady� washed up on the Galt Mile beach on September 28, 2008. Despite complaints by hundreds of residents, former City Commissioner Christine Teel and Broward officials, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection refused to authorize cleanup of the admittedly hazardous wreck site, citing the proximity of a turtle nests � some hundreds of feet away. When the City Manager contacted FDEP weeks later, the agency still hadn�t scheduled an inspection of a nest they knew to be non-viable. When a health alert was released by municipal and county health authorities, Commissioner Teel and former City Manager George Gretsas finagled a jurisdictional loophole and managed the cleanup. Fearing a threatened class action lawsuit by residents, the State backed off.

HUGE HAZARDOUS HULL SECTION

Ironically, the coastal Armageddon planned by Lovingshimer�s �CIA wannabes� has seen a modicum of local traction. Repeatedly chaffed by the State�s callous treatment of Galt Mile residents, some of our irate neighbors began crusading against environmental issues they historically supported. Local blogs became filled with anti- and pro-Sea Turtle rantings. Emails sent to newspapers and the GMCA by otherwise environmentally conscientious people suddenly expressed a level of hate for turtles that is usually reserved for mass murderers. At the height of last year�s nesting season, when scores of residents sent admiring pictures of nest sites and hatchlings to the neighborhood association, less affable correspondences suggested opening seasonal �turtle bars� specializing in fried hatchlings or fresh soup.

Responding to GMCA safety concerns for suddenly darkening the beach side of every association, Lovingshimer stressed the importance of finding a viable balance between residents� safety and survival prospects for the endangered species. He said that using motion detectors, screens, shields, downlights and fixtures incorporating light-management techniques could expedite compliance while minimizing many of the adverse safety impacts. Lovingshimer remarked �Since the ordinance was first passed, research has provided inexpensive new lighting options to address the problems for both people and turtles.� Lovingshimer confided that he would consider his efforts successful if he could deliver a 50% improvement within two to three years.

Months earlier, academicians from Nova Southeast University patrolled the entire Fort Lauderdale coast to evaluate light sources illuminating the beach. As they passed each building, a camera operator videotaped the structure�s ocean-facing east side while a colleague scripted relevant observations. They documented the placement and intensity of every light visible from the beach. Their report formed the basis for the violation notices later received by Galt Mile associations.

HOW COLOR (WAVELENGTH) OF LIGHT IMPACTS TURTLE BEHAVIOR

Using data recorded by the Nova team, Lovingshimer and GMCA officials opened a good faith negotiation. Lighting violations were first graded by their degree of impact on Sea Turtle behavior. The factors included color, brightness, proximity to the beach, and broadcast characteristics. The brightest lights that were closest to the beach were assigned an �A� rating while ambient or indirect light sources (much dimmer reflected light) were assigned �D� ratings. With the help of a lighting contractor, infractions were cross-classified by mitigation cost.

There are minor variations in how the 5 local species (Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback, Kemp�s Ridley, Hawksbill) of Sea Turtles react to color, although they are all sensitive to colors with short wavelengths. Ranging into the ultraviolet, their color perception is strongest for short wavelength spectral violets, purples, blues and greens. The relatively high sensitivity of turtles to short wavelengths is not surprising considering that they live in a medium � the ocean � which selectively filters out long wavelength colors (to see brightly colored red, yellow or orange marine life, you�d better sign up for a shallow dive).

As such, replacing standard white light sources (which include the entire visible spectrum) with monochromatic yellow, orange or red lights is one acceptable compliance option. The average commercially available �yellow bulb� is actually a full spectrum white light source encased in a glass bulb with a yellow coating. This is functionally identical to an ordinary white light source. To achieve compliance, the light source within the bulb must emit monochromatic (single wavelength) yellow light. While the two bulbs appear the same to us, not so for turtles!

After reviewing the crunched data, GMCA officials determined that a vast majority of the violations could be easily resolved by in-house maintenance staffers inserting aluminum/composite shields or screens into or next to existing fixtures. When properly applied, these devices blocked light that would otherwise illuminate the beach without darkening deck surfaces. In fact, installing shields fitted with reflective coatings actually increased deck illumination. Unfortunately, roughly 10% of the violations could only be addressed by completely replacing heavy duty deck lamps costing $thousands. This was a problem.

Associations were still reeling from the huge fiscal battering suffered from storm damage repairs, skyrocketing windstorm insurance rates and installation costs of impact rated hurricane windows and/or shutters. The recession was already taking a toll on property values and assessment obligations were inflated by non-contributing units frozen in foreclosure. Elderly residents on fixed incomes were often forced to decide between filling a prescription and eating dinner. Any lighting adaptation plan would have to be accomplished on a shoestring. Given that most deck lamps last about ten years, when an offending lamp reached the end of its serviceable life, the association could install a turtle-safe replacement without placing an early burden on the budget.

In a proposal to Lovingshimer, we offered to guarantee voluntary mitigation for 90% of the violations within two to three months if the City would allow associations with deck lamp violations to postpone any action until the need for replacement was imminent. Moreover, since these high intensity deck lamps were installed on association parking decks - a substantial distance from the beach - none of them fell into the �A� (most threatening) category. After consulting with former Inspections Manager Cate McCaffrey, Lovingshimer agreed. Going forward, instead of automatically citing associations for violations, code inspectors would work with associations to insure that compliance didn�t sacrifice resident safety or blast holes in the association budget.

STEPHEN HIGGINS AND LOU FISHER

Following approval of the arrangement by the Galt Mile Advisory Board a few weeks later, former Code Compliance chief McCaffrey offered to address association concerns by participating in a joint presentation by City and County environmental officials. At the May 7, 2007 Presidents Council meeting in Playa del Mar, after Lovingshimer summarized the general agreement, Natural Resource Specialist Lou Fisher from the Beach and Marine Section of Broward County�s Natural Resources Planning and Management Division described how various types of lighting affect Sea Turtle nesting habits and hatchling behavior � the scientific rationale for the ordinance. Fisher works with retiring Broward Beach Administrator Stephen Higgins, a primary engineer of the Broward County Beach Renourishment Project.

BROWARD NAT RES SPEC LOU FISHER

After Fisher congratulated Galt Mile Associations for voluntarily creating a vehicle that balanced resident safety with Sea Turtle survival, Lovingshimer introduced a series of discourses by McCaffrey, Building Department Director Valerie Bohlander, Public Works Facilities Manager Tom Terrell and Environmental Services� Kris McFadden.

VAL BOHLANDER

Within the next three months, every association kept its commitment, addressing more than 90% of the lighting violations along the Galt Mile beach. Shortly after Lovingshimer declared the project a great success, the Galt Mile suddenly lost a good friend in Code Compliance � Al Lovingshimer passed away. On November 20, 2007, Lovingshimer was posthumously named �2007 Code Enforcement Officer of the Year� by Building Department chief Valerie Bohlander. Since then, several associations with deck lamp violations corrected those as well.

Following Al Lovingshimer�s untimely demise, Mike Maloney replaced Cate McCaffrey as Manager of the Code Compliance Division when Cate was named Director of Business Enterprises. GMCA officials met with Mr. Maloney at the Regency Tower to confirm our understanding with the City. By 2010, Lovingshimer�s �turtle-safe lighting� hat was passed to Code Compliance officer Mario Sotolongo. Not only is Sotolongo familiar with the neighborhood and experienced with helping member associations explore frugal compliance options - like Lovingshimer - he assigns a higher priority to resident safety than racking up numbers for depopulation spooks in Tallahassee.

Since beachfront buildings first adapted seaward fixtures with shields and screens to quickly and inexpensively comply with City Law, the oceanfront evening environment of many associations has been noticeably darker for the past three years. Some association residents miss the brighter pool deck and patio walkway during evening constitutionals. As lamps that were hastily jury-rigged with blocking devices a few years ago give up the ghost, they can be replaced with high intensity bollards and other directional fixtures � preferably as part of a professional lighting plan � that will brighten the deck without illuminating the adjacent beach.

A few months ago, several associations reported receiving telephone threats from someone claiming membership in an organization with enforcement authority for the City lighting ordinance. The caller threatened the associations with punitive consequences unless certain lighting elements were immediately altered. After investigating the incidents and contacting Fort Lauderdale�s Code Compliance Division, the claim was found to be fraudulent.

The caller actually belonged to a group with a permit to rescue endangered hatchlings and document disorientation events. They have no authority to issue violation notices or exact penalties. Evidently, the calls were made by an overzealous volunteer who seemingly overstepped the bounds of her organization�s mandate. Since the incident isn�t reflective of how the organization ordinarily operates, the parties shall remain nameless.

FORT LAUDERDALE BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Inasmuch, the only authority empowered to enforce the City�s lighting ordinance is the Code Compliance Division of the Fort Lauderdale Building Department. To avoid headaches and save money, associations planning to alter or upgrade their lighting should contact Mario Sotolongo at 954-828-6326. While keeping the neighborhood association up to speed, Mario spent the past few years working directly with member associations to remedy legitimate violations or reject baseless or unreasonable complaints. In November, 2010, while assisting four Galt Mile associations upgrade or modify beachfront lighting, Sotolongo said �In this neighborhood, most people and their associations want to do the right thing. However, they want lighting solutions that are right for both people and turtles.� Words of wisdom!

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2003 FLORIDA CABINET - AG CHARLIE CRIST SEC. OF AGRICULTURE CHARLES BRONSON GOV JEB BUSH, CFO TOM GALLAGHER

THE HOLLYWOOD BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER

March 6, 2011 - On April 30, 2002, two busloads of Galt Mile residents attended a public hearing at the Hollywood Beach Community Center in support of the Army Corps of Engineers plan to renourish our shrinking beaches. On May 13, 2003, a contingent of eight Galt Mile residents flew to Tallahassee to refute allegations by vested interests in the Real Estate and Scuba lobbies that coastal residents �don�t want their beaches renourished.� Upon hearing our neighbors� testimony, the Florida Cabinet decided to include beaches from Fort Lauderdale to Pompano in the Broward County Shore Protection Project. To enhance environmental protections for the upcoming Segment II (Fort Lauderdale) stage of the County�s coastal rescue plan, the Florida Cabinet mandated an 18-month monitoring period following the renourishment of South Broward�s Segment III beaches.

HOPPER DREDGE LIBERTY ISLAND AT JOHN U. LLOYD BEACH STATE PARK

When the hopper dredge �Liberty Island� pumped a last load of sand onto the beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park on February 8, 2006, it marked an end to the South County portion (Segment III) of the project and triggered the 18-month monitoring countdown. In late August of 2007, a report compiled by academicians from the Nova Oceanographic Center, a joint venture of coastal engineering consulting firms (Coastal Planning and Engineering, Inc., Olsen Asssociates, Inc., etc.) and Broward staff scientists arrived at the Tallahassee headquarters of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

THREATENED ELKHORN AND STAGHORN CORALS

Noticing that the report documented two species of coral Federally designated as �threatened� in 2006, FDEP advised their Broward counterpart to add these new corals to the list of protected marine organisms prior to the upcoming Segment II project. Since Broward Beach Administrator Stephen Higgins built an impeccable reputation compiling scientifically bulletproof responses to similar modification requests, FDEP officials were understandably perplexed when Higgins seemingly fell off the map.

STEPHEN HIGGINS BEACH WIZZARD

For decades, Higgins spearheaded the County�s world class beach maintenance policy. He won staunch support for the renourishment program by addressing scientific concerns expressed by a formidable gauntlet of Federal, State and NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) environmental watchdogs. His authoritative environmental treatises satisfied the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in the Federal government. On the State level, his comprehensive reports made the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) into allies. Higgins� landmark environmental impact statements earned the respect of the Florida Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Florida Communities Trust and prominent environmentalists like Roy Rogers.

FORMER FDEP SECRETARY MICHAEL W. SOLE

Suddenly, when asked by GMCA officials about the Segment II project, County beach officials responded with a series of irrelevant diversions throughout 2008 and 2009, focusing instead on additional erosion control devices and a nondescript search for sand. Concerned about the lack of progress, the Galt Mile Community Association contacted Michael Sole, who served as FDEP Secretary under former Governor Charlie Crist. Sole informed GMCA President Pio Ieraci that Broward Beach officials hadn�t responded to Departmental inquiries for more than a year. While the two agencies were locked in this dilatory two-step, the Federal and State permits authorizing the project expired.

Prior to proceeding with Segment II, Broward beach officials would first have to repeat the environmental testing required for a new federal permit. Since Michael Sole, a Marine Biologist, worked with Higgins in Broward County before his appointment to FDEP, he was familiar with the project�s scientific and engineering parameters. While a painful repetition of the federal permit process was unavoidable, Sole granted Higgins a 5-year State permit extension through June 4, 2014, saving the Broward Beach Administrator months of bureaucratic tedium. The extension proved to be a parting gift. A year later, Sole stepped down as FDEP Secretary while overseeing the State�s response to the Deepwater Horizon fiasco and accepted an offer from Florida Power & Light to serve as Vice President of their Governmental Affairs Department.

BROWARD Administrator BERTHA HENRY

When public officials in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Deerfield Beach, Pompano and other project stakeholders learned about the County�s monumental misstep, they went ballistic. Hoping to quell the exploding enmity, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry sent a beach renourishment update to former Fort Lauderdale City Manager George Gretsas on May 27, 2010. She concluded her summary of beach project issues with the comment �Broward County-conducted beach construction in Segment II is targeted for November of 2011, pending completion of the engineering/design and permitting processes in a timely fashion.� Shortly afterwards, Beach Administrator Higgins announced that he would retire in 2011. Although he would continue as a consultant, his primary duties would be assumed by Deputy Director Eric Myers of Broward�s Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department. Myers was Higgins� boss.

CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST AND STATE SENATOR ELLYN BOGDANOFF

On February 3, 2011, Myers attended the Town Hall meeting convened to introduce newly elected Congressman Allen West and Florida State Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff. Since the beach renourishment project is a joint federal, state and county effort, he was soliciting Allen West�s assistance in securing promised federal reimbursement for funds advanced by the County. After offering an unqualified apology for Broward�s gaffe, Myers asked attending GMCA officials what he could do to help �make things right.� Myers would have to accept responsibility for his agency�s breakdown prior to resurrecting its ruptured reputation. He was invited to attend the February 7^th Presidents Council meeting at Coral Ridge Towers, where he would have an opportunity to confront flustered constituents.

ERIC MYERS AND STEVE HIGGINS

At the meeting, Myers shared the floor with City Commissioner Bruce Roberts and County Commissioner Chip LaMarca. Admitting to the County�s exasperating lapse, he told association officials that he would hereon in provide regular updates about the renourishment project. He also promised to avoid sugar coating reports with political spin. Exclaiming that he wants to build a relationship based on mutual trust, Myers said that he will need community support to achieve our common objectives.

When irate attendees roasted Myers for his predecessor�s dereliction, he conceded their right to be angry. Myers then lowered the boom, stating �I understand that you have repeatedly been told that the project is scheduled for late 2011. I don�t believe that�s possible. Since we must first complete the Federal permit process and collect the State and Federal funds allocated to the project, a far more realistic target date is late 2013.� Roughly 80 attending association officials groaned in unison.

For the past decade, increasingly frustrated Galt Mile residents have been anxiously awaiting promised repairs to what the Florida Department of Environmental Protection characterized as �Broward�s severely eroded beaches.� Given the County�s cosmic blunder, beach officials must now also address its residents� severely eroded nerves. After offering an olive branch to the Galt Mile community, Myers said that he assigned himself that task.

ERIC MYERS

True to his word, Myers returned to address the May 2^nd Presidents Council meeting at Ocean Manor. He reported some success with collecting funds reimbursed to Broward for the completed south county segment of the renourishment project. He estimated that the federal permitting hurdles for Segment II (Fort Lauderdale � Galt Mile) would consume the next 18 to 20 months, after which the county can begin accepting contractor bids. He further refined the projected start date to October 2013.

Myers explained that the Army Corps of Engineers, an agency whose Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), General Reevaluation Report (GRR) and Record of Decision (ROD) are prerequisites to the Federal permit, will be performing tests along the entire Segment II oceanfront, including the Galt Mile beach. Since beach ownership is shared by the associations lining the shore, the agency�s engineers must request access before they can proceed with fulfilling the terms of the permit. Reminding attendees that he promised to expedite the project whenever possible, Myers said, �If each beachfront association would sign an easement providing beach access to the Corps of Engineers, it would speed things up. I will send a copy of the easement to Pio (Ieraci) and Eric (Berkowitz), who can then distribute the document.�

Following Myers� update, the two GMCA officials asked member associations to have their respective attorneys review and approve the easement prior to signing off. The legal review will insure that the easement is strictly limited to construction-related renourishment efforts, precluding any unintended concession of general access rights. Yes, boys and girls, we do own our beaches (subject to public riparian rights � of course).

March 14, 2011 - On August 13, 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a media release proposing a regulation to ban the use of deed-based or covenant-based transfer fees. The FHFA�s stated intention was to prevent Real Estate speculators from incrementally bloodletting homeowners whenever a property is sold. Private transfer fees - commonly referred to as a �flip tax� - often go to unidentified third parties for questionable services or simply enable developers to squeeze an unearned premium from homebuyers. When the FHFA released its strategy for excising these parasitic elements from the purchase process, the poorly drafted proposal also threatened to devalue properties owned by millions of association members across the country. Thanks to the efforts of the Community Association Institute (CAI) and tens of thousands of concerned unit owners (including many Galt Mile residents); we may have dodged a catastrophic mortgage lockout.

The real target of the FHFA�s new rule was an investment vehicle devised by Freehold Capital Partners of New York. Restricted or banned in 18 states, participating developers or property owners record long-term covenants requiring payments to trustees or other private parties whenever the property is resold. Under the Freehold program, a 1% fee is paid by the seller at every closing over a 99-year period. A trustee distributes the funds to investors, which usually include the original developer.

Harvesting these private transfer fees is an extraordinarily lucrative endeavor, since a century of inflating property values can easily quadruple the developer�s income from any participating property. While raising the cost of every enrolled property, the Freehold flip tax primarily burdens home buyers in professions requiring frequent relocations, like military families, corporate professionals, seasonal workers and government employees. Since the fees are structured as liens on the underlying real estate, sellers are often oblivious to their �silent partner� until they close on the property.

When Freehold�s property portfolio grew from $488 billion in 2009 to $600 billion in 2010, their contention that �Reconveyance Fees� barely burdened the cost of Real Estate became an inside joke on Wall Street. After watching this scam assume cosmic proportions, a caucus of 11 organizations promoting widely divergent agendas joined to form the �Coalition to Stop Wall Street Home Resale Fees�. Comprised of veterans groups, consumer advocates, labor unions representing transport workers and government employees, the National Council of La Raza, libertarians and property rights groups, these strange bedfellows were spearheaded by two Washington juggernauts, the title insurance industry and the realtors� lobby.

FHFA DEPUTY DIRECTOR STEPHEN CROSS

Since the Freehold-style transfer fees openly violate Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regulations, the organization lobbied Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner to pressure Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks into delisting such properties from mortgage eligibility. Deputy Director Stephen Cross of the FHFA�s Division of Federal Home Loan Bank Regulation agreed, stating �FHFA is concerned that the fees fund purely private streams of income for select market participants and do not benefit homeowners.�

The FHFA objects to the private transfer fees because they artificially raise the cost of homeownership. When those fees are washed through a Cayman Islands numbered account en route to invested developers, the Agency�s concerns are well founded. However, the FHFA rule would also apply to transfer fees used by many community associations to verify information alleged by prospective applicants for association membership. To insure that these dedicated transfer fees were equitably applied, most associations hard wired them into their governing documents as deed restrictions.

Since the FHFA rule didn�t distinguish between legitimate association transfer fees and those that serve as ethically dubious income streams for developers or undisclosed third parties, enacting the regulation as originally constructed would butcher the association market. If the proposed regulation were approved, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks � Government Sponsored Enterprises under FHFA control � would be prohibited from buying mortgages in community associations with deed-based transfer fees. As a consequence, lenders would refuse mortgage financing for those properties. Overnight, the association�s units would be rendered unmarketable to any buyer without cash-stuffed Hefty Bags.

When the FHFA failed to discriminate between association transfer fees and those that fuel the Freehold cash machine, the anti-fee Coalition issued a strongly worded supplication to the agency, �Don�t let Freehold muddy the water on this one - make sure that every homeowner knows the difference between their sneaky for-profit covenants and the communal amenities structure that HOAs and Condo associations use to benefit the property and the community.� They insisted that Freehold violated the longstanding real estate principle that �Any covenant that burdens the land should also benefit the land,� since their �for-profit transfer fees provide no service or benefit to homeowners, raise the costs of home ownership and direct money straight back to Freehold and other third parties.� In an unambiguous declaration of support for association transfer fees, they conclude �Resale fees levied by homeowners� and condo associations, in contrast, direct money back towards homeowners in the form of infrastructure and amenity improvements. This is what differentiates them from the private, for-profit transfer fee that the Coalition opposes.�

FHFA ACTING DIRECTOR EDWARD J. DEMARCO

Fortunately, FHFA Acting Director Edward J. DeMarco agreed to weigh public input before dropping the hammer and implementing a mortgage prohibition. Drawing on its credibility as the nation�s foremost educational resource for Common Interest Communities, the Community Association Institute (CAI) raced to document the need for an association exemption before DeMarco�s response deadline. By combining results of a massive association survey with their existing database, CAI was able to statistically demonstrate that association transfer fees fully complied with Agency regulations.

By structuring reimbursement as a transfer fee, associations insure that screening and document handling costs are paid by the applicant, not the membership. Unlike private homebuyer �flip taxes� that invariably disappear into hopelessly blended offshore accounts, deed based fees collected by condos and HOAs fund improvements that directly benefit the association in which the homebuyer is a stakeholder. The dedicated funds are segregated, identifiable in the association budget and provably expensed, thereby meeting each of the Agency�s eligibility standards.

In late January, CAI hit a home run. Their statistical foundation paved the way for unit owners to bury the Agency in supportive correspondences. As a result, the FHFA adapted the rule to exempt community associations from a deed-based mortgage lockout. Two mildly threatening pitfalls remain. When the amended rule was entered in the Federal Register on February 1, 2011, it triggered a 60-day comment period. Until April 2^nd, disgruntled investors can pummel the agency with self-serving recommendations aimed at delaying a final resolution. Secondly, if an association�s deed-based transfer fees fail to provably benefit the membership, the exemption rightfully reverts to primordial ooze. That aside, kudos to CAI!

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COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

March 27, 2011 - In Commissioner Bruce Roberts� mid-March 2011 Newsletter, he updates the enigmatic Visioning Committee�s progress, the status of the City Manager search, beachside construction, bids for curbside recycling collection services and a Finance Department estimate supporting a currently healthy reserve.

Roberts is rightfully pleased with the City�s fiscal safety net. Unlike the last time Fort Lauderdale faced a fiscal crisis, the City has a few gallons in its reserve tank. If the Finance Department�s estimated undesignated fund balance weathers the auditor�s red pen, in addition to packing the maximum required 15% of operating expenditures, the Commission will enter the next budget maelstrom with an extra $24 million stuffed in the municipal mattress. If that fails to plug a potential shortfall, they can whittle off another $13 million and still manage a minimally acceptable 10% cushion. Was it last year that Charlotte Rodstrom characterized the hefty safety net as unfair to taxpayers? Read on... � [editor]

From The Desk of
Commissioner Bruce G. Roberts

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DOMENIC FARO

Two days earlier, Fort Lauderdale Real Estate proprietor and longtime Galt Mile resident Domenic Faro hosted a luncheon in his office (next to Dunkin Donuts) that doubled as an opportunity to distribute deposit boxes, flyers, posters and schedules for the food drive. The enthusiastic diners set an unprecedented collection goal - they hoped to exceed last year�s 20,000 points (the equivalent of 20,000 lbs. of food). This year, an agreement with Winn Dixie would add to the collection totals when grocery shoppers bought certain 2 for 1 specials.

SCOTT WOODBURN

On Thursday, March 17^th, Cooperative Feeding Program Executive Director Scott Woodburn released the 1^st half totals to sharpen the participating associations� competitive spirit. The collection totals were lagging behind those of last year. Hoping to personalize the statistics, Woodburn named those captains whose associations were outpacing their previous year�s donations. They included Annemarie Adams (Edgewater Arms), Bonnie Levitt (Coral Ridge Towers Original), Charles Baldwin (Plaza South), Janet Bolt (Ocean Club), Marcy Kravit (The Galleon), Marcela Santiago (Playa del Sol), Lee Lowenthal (Ocean Summit), Ayasha Agarrat (Plaza East), Chuck Swinghammer (Carib�) and Rosie Bowers (Playa del Mar). As it was their first Food Drive, Woodburn honorably mentioned captain Lisa Edwards of Coral Ridge Tower North.

MARY SHORT

Despite the slowed collection momentum, Woodburn remained optimistic about the final statistics. He said �I would also note that last year the food drive effort was supported by a few very generous philanthropists who we hope will come back with others to support this very important effort.� He was referring to several Galt Mile civic sparkplugs like GMCA Advisory Board member Mary Short, whose cash donations in 2010 played a significant role in virtually doubling the 2009 totals. Factoring in those dream dollars buoyed Woodburn�s outlook.

SCOTT WOODBURN & DOMENIC FARO TOAST LAST YEAR'S TROPHY WINNER EDGEWATER ARMS

On March 25^th, while announcing the Food Drive�s final week, Woodburn released details for the Victory Celebration, an annual event organized to recognize the association that racked up the most points. To level the playing field for smaller associations, a second award recognizes the most points per unit. An association earns one point for each pound of food and/or each dollar collected. This year, proprietors Kevin Songer and Randy Liebig of the St Lawrence Gallery agreed to host the celebration at the popular storefront shop and gallery at 3556 N Ocean Boulevard. In a special request, Woodburn asked association captains to prompt their boards to appoint designates who would attend the April 12^th event and receive their respective certificates of appreciation.

He notified participants that the final pickup would take place on March 31^st beginning at 9 AM. Collections would start at Hermitage II, proceed north to Carib� and then jump to the Coral Ridge Towers Complex. During the 10 minutes planned at each stop, donors could ask for their final collection totals, although the official stats would be reserved for the April 12^th Victory Celebration.

The final totals knocked the participating associations for a loop. The 8089 lbs. of food collected by Galt Mile associations was abetted by cash donations amounting to $17,634, yielding an unprecedented 25,723 points. The new record was accompanied by a new grand champion. After a three year lock as runaway winner of both �total points� and �points per unit�, Edgewater Arms ceded recognition for total Points to Galt Ocean Club with 6,096 total points, although Edgewater Arms� 69 points per unit was good enough to retain their championship in that category. Following the Victory Celebration festivities, Scott Woodburn reviewed the 2011 Galt Food Drive results in two documents he sent by email, a letter entitled, �2011 Final News� and an Excel spreadsheet compilation of the final statistical summary - �2011 Final Results�. See below for the content of these final correspondences:

The Cooperative Feeding Program is headquartered at NW 33^rd Terrace in Fort Lauderdale (on the N. W. corner of Broward Blvd. and NW 33^rd Terrace). Call them at (954) 792-2328, fax them at (954) 792-9982 or click here to send an email. Office and Emergency Pantry hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM. The Community Kitchen serves from 9 AM through 11 AM, Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 11 AM through 12:30 PM.

COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

April 28, 2011 - In Commissioner Bruce Roberts� May 2011 Newsletter, he updates the rapidly narrowing field of City Manager candidates, summarizes a new Sun Trolley �Hop On Hop Off� excursion service, announces the City�s new website, invites District 1 residents to trot along with Mayor Seiler and seeks to fill vacancies in four undermanned Advisory Boards/Committees.

The Sun Trolley's new City Excursion was shaped for tourists. They can stow their luggage or send it ahead to the airport or the cruise line. For $29, they can ride in busses all day long. Big Whoop! The City�s new website replaced pages configured as site maps with a series of drop down menus. Although it�s still disorganized, the pages seem to load faster. If you want to jog with Jack (and Bruce), Mayor Seiler and our Commissioner plan to trot through the Imperial Point and Knoll Ridge neighborhoods on Monday, June 13, 2011. Civic minded residents currently have four options available for channeling their need to be part of our City's evolution. Pick a Board, any Board! Read on... � [editor]

From The Desk of
Commissioner Bruce G. Roberts

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GALT OCEAN MILE READING CENTER

May 6, 2011 - On April 28^th, residents from every Galt Mile association ignored the mid-afternoon soup-like humidity and streamed to the Galt Mile Reading Center at 3403 Galt Ocean Drive. They were responding to notices posted in their mail rooms, building offices and security stations announcing a celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Galt Ocean Mile Library. The event was ostensibly a reception to acknowledge having swelled their ranks from 120 to 200 members. In fact, it was a strategy meeting called to prevent the county from closing the Galt Mile Library.

TERRY CLAIRE

About 100 supporters squeezed into a meeting room also known to many Galt Mile residents as their official Election Day polling site. Another 30 monitored the proceedings from an adjacent room where a light luncheon buffet was available to patrons. Terry Claire, a Plaza South activist integrally involved with the Library�s survival for the past three years, opened the meeting with a criticism of the County�s annual attempt to sacrifice the popular local venue to highly dubious budget considerations. Leann Barber, a Commodore resident who joined Claire in last year's successful effort to keep the Reading Room afloat, reviewed tentative strategies for privately financing a variety of supplemental Library programs.

LEANN BARBER

While managed by Claire and Barber, the event was conceived by Galleon resident Herman Gardner, President of the Friends of the Galt Ocean Mile Library. Persevering and amicable, Gardner has worked tirelessly to improve the Library�s inventory and secure its survival. In preparation for the annual budget struggle with the Broward County Commission, Gardner launched a recruitment drive that nearly doubled the strength of his Library support group. For the third straight year, Gardner also convinced the Galt Mile Community Association Advisory Board to leverage the neighborhood association�s member outreach and political access in support of the Reading Room.

GMCA LIBRARY SUPPORTERS ENTER BUDGET MEETING

Terry Claire introduced District 4 County Commissioner Chip LaMarca to an apprehensive audience. For the past two years, they successfully kept the Library�s doors open by following a strategy prescribed by former County Commissioner Ken Keechl. Each year, they filled support petitions with thousands of signatures, collected dozens of association and civic resolutions and topped it off with hundreds of residents flooding the Commission Chamber during the final County budget meeting. Attending library patrons who never met their new Commissioner anxiously awaited LaMarca�s take on their concerns.

LAMARCA TO LIBRARY PATRONS

BROWARD Administrator BERTHA HENRY

At the outset, Commissioner LaMarca assured constituents that he has a personal stake in keeping the Library open. He also informed attendees that it wouldn't be necessary to follow his predecessor�s dramatic blueprint for saving the library. Instead, he intends to implement a political solution. When stunned library supporters questioned his commitment, LaMarca said �I�ve seen for myself how important this library is to the people living here. I�ve been here when the place was packed and spoke with the patrons and the staff. I used to live in Coral Ridge Towers. There�s no way I could stand by and watch it close.� LaMarca explained that he had already discussed the issue with County Administrator Bertha Henry and was confident that he could protect the reading center without the convulsive histrionics previously orchestrated by the community. LaMarca continued �If I hadn�t been asked to help with this effort, I would have offered.� His audience collectively took a deep breath.

UTILITY GRAFFITI

Having participated in each of the prior years� rescue efforts, an attending GMCA official declared �When Chip LaMarca was elected last November; he was an unknown quantity to many of us. Since then, I�ve watched him lead the charge to secure our beach renourishment funding, team with City Commissioner Bruce Roberts to remove the Utility Graffiti that mars our streets and throw a safety net over the Reading Center. He�s for real."

ALLEN WEST ENERGY POLICY

Following his statement, LaMarca welcomed questions from the audience. Seemingly satisfied that their library�s future was provided for, audience members took advantage of LaMarca�s invitation and quizzed the Commissioner about other recent sources of controversy. When asked how he felt about offshore drilling, LaMarca said that although he opposes oil wells off Broward�s beaches, he supports energy independence and new exploration. When someone added �Don�t you mean any Florida beaches,� he pointed in the opposite direction and answered �Inland, way over there, where you can�t see it.� A Playa del Sol resident asked if he supported Congressman Allen West�s energy agenda. After describing such issues as outside the Broward Commission�s jurisdiction, LaMarca confirmed that he was working with West to draw down Federal funds owed to the County for beach renourishment. He also said he was extremely disappointed with Tallahassee�s failure to fund beach renourishment in the current State budget.

After the meeting, the audience members filed out to the adjacent room. While consuming the buffet spread, the post-meeting conversations were dominated by the low-key rescue plan outlined by LaMarca. If our new County Commissioner could save the Reading Center without a community-wide major mobilization, Herman Gardner�s 200-strong Friends of the Galt Ocean Mile Library could revisit their primary mandate, enhancing the mini-library�s programs.

RESIDENTS ENJOY READING CENTER

While the beach is the heart of our neighborhood, the Galt Mile Library is certainly its soul. Arguably the most popular local resource on Galt Ocean Drive, it provides hundreds of mostly elderly residents with a convenient location to research almost anything, meet with friends or simply book some quiet time. Most of the locals are on a first name basis with every staffer, including temporaries and substitutes.

Longtime Librarian Marlene Barnes and her staff help the nearly 2,400 residents that visit the Center each week locate �New York Times� best-sellers, DVDs of foreign films, health-related audio books, Wall Street Journal stock reports or search Google for exotic recipes. Visiting authors review their works, local poets recite their creations and culture groups celebrate their unique ethnicities. Despite its modest designation as a �Reading Room�, since the library is networked into the nation�s largest library system, it is a doorway to the planet.

GALT READING CENTER COMPUTERS

Thousands of previously technophobic local residents who were first introduced to the internet in Reading Room classes keep the six free online computers busy through closing time. While used to update resumes, do homework, check retirement portfolios, hunt for jobs and pay bills, the Reading Room desktops provide hundreds of local seniors with daily or weekly email and �instant Messenger� access to friends and family around the world - without draining precious dollars from Social Security checks that are already stretched to the breaking point.

Despite its critical importance to thousands of local residents, Broward County�s 4^th consecutive whopping budget deficit has once again placed our tiny storefront branch of the huge Broward County Library System on the chopping block. When reducing expenses, The County Commission is theoretically obligated to balancing the sacrifices required of each District�s residents. It is preferable to implement milder, less traumatic service cuts across the entire county than to confine the fiscal burden to certain neighborhoods while selectively exempting others. For instance, budget reductions that cut the service hours for every park or library are far more equitable than completely stripping these amenities from certain neighborhoods while leaving others unmolested.

Unfortunately, commissioners occasionally try to shield their District from sharing painful service concessions by manipulating the criteria used to frame a prospective budget cut. Some proposals sponsored by certain Commissioners only target resources and programs located in neighboring districts, freeing their own constituents from related fiscal impacts.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER LOIS WEXLER

One such proposal urges the County to close library branches situated in rented facilities. Since the library in Commissioner Lois Wexler�s district is housed in a County-owned property, closing the County�s 7 tenanted libraries would only burden the constituents of other commissioners. Ms. Wexler has repeatedly tried to torpedo the Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center in Fort Lauderdale, the Beach Branch in Pompano Beach, the Hollywood Beach Library, the Riverland Library in Fort Lauderdale, the Pembroke Pines Library, the Century Plaza Library in Deerfield Beach and the Lauderhill Mall Library. Fortunately, the County Commission has repeatedly refused to benefit certain neighborhoods on the backs of others.

Earlier this year, Broward officials hired a library consultant to review the County's library system and make downsizing recommendations. Instead of visiting the various locations and evaluating their importance to their respective neighborhoods, MGT of America utilized a software program more appropriate to measuring manufacturing efficiencies. After crunching data collected by each branch and pumping out a formulaic report, they sifted the results through a series of skewed assumptions. For instance, they assumed that the average library patron has no problem traveling 6.7 miles to the branch, ignoring the age demographics of the surrounding neighborhood. By considering rental expense for leased branches and ignoring amortization costs for owned facilities, they scored leased libraries at a 12.5% deficit to owned units. Incomprehensibly, they assigned four times the weight to the number of customers attending programs per staff member than they did for the weekly door count. On reading the final report, the County Commission tossed it out.

Given its intensive concentration of non-homesteaded snowbirds, the Galt Mile community makes enormous annual contributions to the County�s tax coffers, in return for which it receives almost nothing. Although half the County budget funds the Broward Sheriff�s Office, virtually no BSO resources protect the Galt Mile neighborhood. Since we pay the City of Fort Lauderdale for providing our Police and Fire Protection, our county tax assessments actually subsidize neighboring jurisdictions that do use BSO services. We enjoy no local county parks or recreational resources and even fund our own beach maintenance and security. Other than our inexpensive mini-library, the County spends nothing for our slice of the Barrier Island.

What's more, in thirty of the thirty-seven neighborhoods deemed worthy of branch libraries, the County invested in purchasing the structure housing the facility. No such outlay was ever planned for the Galt Mile neighborhood. Instead, the County leased space in 1992 to save money. When the community's population demographics warranted a modest expansion in 2005, the County leased the adjacent space. Had they inspected the site in compliance with county law, they might have discovered the asbestos later found in the floor tiles and textured ceiling materials. Since the toxic material poses no danger if left undisturbed, library patrons were forced to scrap long awaited expansion plans and limit use of the new space to storage.

The County's gaffe shattered any prospect for receiving the modernization or expansion improvements that regularly benefit branches in every other community. Our neighborhood hasn't demanded parity and pressured the cash-strapped Broward Commission to provide us with a new county-owned facility. However, since closing the library would save less than a half year�s salary for one entry level management staffer, Galt Mile residents won't tolerate losing a resource that means so much to so many for a budget-based political ploy. At last year�s strategy meeting, almost 100 local attendees shouted their approval when an animated 92 year-old Southpoint resident promised, �If anyone tries to close my library, I will spend my few remaining years making their lives hell.� WOOF!

PI JAMES RIGNEY

May 13, 2011 - Last year, veteran Building Manager Jim Beard of the Ocean Riviera called Private Investigator (PI) Jim Rigney, a retired New York City Detective who lives in The Regency Tower. Rigney�s agency, Pelican Group International, does background checks of prospective buyers or tenants for several Galt Mile associations. When Beard told Rigney that he had a job for him, he headed south to Beard�s building at 3550 Galt Ocean Drive. On his arrival, Beard handed him a file containing a screening application for the Ocean Riviera Condominium Association. Rigney got to work.

Throughout their careers, law enforcement professionals meet counterparts in municipal and State police departments, intelligence agencies, prison systems, the Justice Department and a broad spectrum of Federal and International police, intelligence and penal services. In time, these casual relationships morph into an informal yet impressive informational network. If the former crime fighters become private investigators when they retire, the quality of these contacts is one of the most important professional assets that will serve to distinguish them from competitors. Needless to say, Rigney�s post-career outreach is substantial. His Pelican Group International performs investigations worldwide.

OCEAN RIVIERA

For the case he was just assigned by Beard, he would have to collect chips from all over the country. The Ocean Riviera applicant spent time in Grand Rapids & Byron Center (Michigan), Lawrenceville & Grayson (Georgia), Chattanooga (Tennessee) and the North Beach area in Fort Lauderdale. Although it isn�t unusual for Rigney to find negative reports about a subject, the bad news about this guy was off the charts. The PI�s public and private sources ultimately turned up 30 reports tagging the target a bad risk. Because Ocean Riviera�s savvy manager hired an overachieving former gumshoe, the association rejected the tenant - and a boatload of trouble.

BRIAN EDWARD KREBS

In June of 2010, a persistent Brian Edward Krebs found an alternative location in his preferred Galt Ocean Mile neighborhood. Originally designed as an apartment house, converted into a condo-hotel and finally a condominium, the Galt Ocean Club at 3800 Galt Ocean Drive has a higher proportion of snowbirds than many neighboring associations. It�s very popular with South Americans and Europeans seeking a second home in South Florida. They often rent their apartments for most of the year. Other owners live here in Florida.

Coral Springs resident Luis Desousa generates rental income from unit 908, a Galt Ocean Club apartment he�s owned for decades. Given the economic squeeze, he was lucky to fill his unit with a tenant. On his Linked in page, Krebs lists his occupation as CEO and owner of Oncology & Biotech Recruiting, a biotech sales placement service listed at 4326 Bougainvilla Drive in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. It also indicates that Krebs was formerly a sales representative for Eli Lilly and Co. in Chicago.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL

Krebs graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1991. He maintains having earned all-conference and all-state honors while performing as the captain of the football, hockey and baseball teams. He also claims that he graduated from Western Michigan University and was working toward a master�s degree from the University of Michigan. Ironically, on his Facebook page, he purports having a Master�s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Although unaware that Krebs� yellow sheet stretched around the block, Desousa knew that Krebs took �heavy medication� to stabilize his moods. Nevertheless, Desousa felt comfortable with Krebs� credentials and considered him a viable tenant. Had Desousa checked online Broward County court records, he would have known that Krebs was convicted of attempted burglary and assault and battery in 2003 and ordered to probation. Presumably, he was oblivious to what his tenant was capable of.

GMCA PRESIDENT PIO IERACI

On April 17, 2011, Galt Mile Community Association President Pio Ieraci copied an email to every member association. Ieraci also serves as President of Galt Ocean Club Condominium. Entitled �One Killed - 5 injured � Stabbing� and addressed to �All�, a seemingly exasperated Ieraci wrote:

�Please excuse this intrusion into your Sunday evening and the tone of this note. It seems that we as association leaders are constantly lambasted as �bad people�, �intolerant�, �condo commandoes� etc.

GALT OCEAN CLUB

Last week Brian Krebs a tenant/renter at GOC (Galt Ocean Club) threw a lamp through his 9^th floor apartment window, sending shards of glass down to the pool and pool deck below. He went on a rampage inside the apartment smashing the toilet bowl, all glass tables, imbedded a butcher knife in the wall etc. The GOC security staff has photographs of all the damage. The Fort Lauderdale Police stayed at the building waiting for Krebs to return. The GOC security staff was instructed by the Administration not to allow this lunatic back into the building fearing imminent danger to residents of the building.

The next day Krebs arrived at the building with the owner of the apartment and letter from his attorney, threatening the Association with legal action if he was barred from reentering the building.�

After investigating the April 9^th incident at Galt Ocean Club, police issued a BOLO (be on the look-out) advisory for Krebs, warning officers that he was on the loose and possibly dangerous. Police didn�t issue a warrant or charge Krebs with any crime.

Apologizing again for his �rant�, Ieraci came to the point. As tight-knit vertical communities, we rely on Statutory Law, condominium documents and the Associations� rules and regulations to insure members a safe and secure home environment. They also protect us from inadvertently or intentionally abusing or endangering one another. Unfortunately, as associations cycle through periods of political upheaval, it becomes popular to attack the board members, managers and security staffers only because it�s their job and/or responsibility to enforce those rules.

Having conferred with association attorney Becker & Poliakoff �to insure that the Association had taken all possible steps and precautions to protect the residents of the building,� Ieraci summarized his motive for sending the email to neighboring associations.

�I hope this serves as a �wake up call� that Association administrator/boards are placed in difficult positions daily, I fervently believe that the vast majority of Boards really strive to act in the best interests of all owners.

In closing I am saddened by the terrible circumstances that have occurred, however am grateful that we Administrators/Board members/Security Staff continue to stand and insure that Statutory Law, Condominium Rules and Regulations are upheld to the best of our abilities.�

BRIAN KREBS PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE

Following his rampage, Krebs explained to Desousa that his tantrum was triggered when a friend stole his pills. In an act of contrition apparently orchestrated by Desousa, Krebs equipped himself with a peace offering when he returned the next day � a new toilet that he and Desousa picked up at Home Depot. On Thursday, April 14^th, Desousa accompanied Krebs to a meeting with the Galt Ocean Club security staff. He again defended his tenant, requesting that Krebs be allowed to return to the unit he trashed.

While appreciating Desousa�s wish to exercise tolerance, Ieraci expected the longtime association member to weigh that against placing his neighbors in harm�s way. Ieraci told reporters �I understand being compassionate, but under these circumstances, he should have said, �I need you to be out of the apartment immediately.� This guy was dangerous.�

On April 16^th - late Saturday night � the evicted Krebs was listening to a local musical group called the Untamed Band while knocking back shots at Fishtales, a popular restaurant and bar at 3555 Northeast 33^rd St in the North Beach (Galt Ocean Shoppes) neighborhood. When the time came to pay the tab, Krebs balked and verbally lashed out at the bartender before departing. He returned to the bar at 3:30 am Sunday morning and resumed his argument over the bar tab.

JIMMY PAGANO AND THE UNTAMED BAND

The Untamed Band�s drummer, a well-liked 54 year-old South Florida musician and music promoter named Jimmy Pagano, was drawn into the conflict after finishing his set at the bar. Krebs pulled a knife and stabbed Pagano in the throat. Prostrate and bleeding profusely, Pagano begged for help. Two employees and two customers jumped on Krebs, who continued slashing away. While successfully restraining Krebs until police arrived, all four were injured during the melee. Pagano bled out from his neck wound. He was pronounced dead at Broward General Medical Center at 4 a.m.

FLPD SPOKESMAN SGT FRANK SOUSA

Fort Lauderdale Police spokesman Sergeant Frank Sousa stated the obvious, �There is no reason that anybody can justify going to the next level over a bar bill. Nobody�s life is worth a dispute over a bar bill.� Recognizing the bravery demonstrated by the four surviving victims, Sousa remarked �Everyone who was trying to help our victim put their lives at risk, and they suffered a stab wound as a result of it.� Stabbing victims Guy DiBona, Evan Abel, John Eierhart and John Rossi were sent to Broward General Medical Center to dress their wounds. Also injured during the outburst, Krebs was sent to the hospital in police custody. He was charged with one count of premeditated murder and four counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. On April 25^th, he was ordered held without bond.

BLOODSOAKED FLOOR AT FISHTALES

After the bloodbath, it remained unclear whether Desousa ever realized that his compassion was misplaced. Commenting on Krebs� brutal behavior, the landlord said �I told him that he could not mix his medication with alcohol. He�s actually a nice guy. I never thought he would be aggressive.�

KREBS AFTER STABBING INCIDENT

In addition to the PI�s report that described Krebs� repeated proclivity for antisocial and criminal behavior, Ocean Riviera Manager Jim Beard had personal knowledge of Krebs� violent temperament. While Krebs was visiting a relative in Ocean Riviera about four months ago, the police arrived and informed security that they were looking for Krebs. They headed to the unit Krebs was visiting, announced themselves and requested entry. While the police awaited a response, Krebs jumped from the second story balcony and ran, temporarily eluding his pursuers.

POLICE AT FISHTALES AFTER MELEE

Ieraci�s frenzied �wake-up call� is a plea to recognize the unfair abuse heaped on security personnel, building managers and board members whose daily efforts keep us safe. Every unit owner has witnessed a neighbor verbally attack security for insisting that their guest sign in or blast the manager for daring to issue a written warning letter. Fortunately, most condo owners understand and respect their association�s rules and will pursue civil and legally acceptable methods to express their concerns. However, some residents consider themselves exempt from any rule with which they disagree. They believe their association membership entitles them to abuse the employees and association volunteers that protect them from danger. There are several in every association and they�re not hard to identify. Whenever you hear an association member scream at an employee �You work for me,� You�ve found one.

The incident at Galt Ocean Club brings focus to another security issue. Associations often have schizophrenic screening policies. Many will contract for comprehensive background checks when screening a prospective unit owner. Others limit their investigation to the shrinking number of statutory reasons for rejecting a candidate. For tenants, some associations will do little more than �Google� the applicant, if that! Associations generally require the leasing unit owner to assume full responsibility for their tenant�s behavior. What if the tenant is Brian Krebs?

The week-long swath of destruction cut by Krebs couldn�t have posed a greater danger to his Galt Ocean Club neighbors. The murder he allegedly committed in the bar across the street might have just as easily occurred during his rampage in unit 908. How did this wolf get into the henhouse? The first problem is State Law. Florida Statutes limit the amount of money collected for a background check to $100 per person. More often than not, how a PI manages the meager available resources will determine whether or not an investigation is productive. If the Galt Ocean Club had the same screening information as Ocean Riviera, they might have also rejected Krebs. Since an accurate screening report represents the front line in the struggle to keep people like Krebs out of our homes, an association should put as much research into selecting a PI as they do for their legal representation or management. Failure is not an option, the stakes are too high.

BRIAN KREBS AND "STEVE STIFLER"

ADAM HERZ

A strange post script to this tragedy surfaced a few days later. The screenwriter and producer of the �American Pie� movies, Adam Herz, was a classmate of Krebs in East Grand Rapids High School. The �Steve Stifler� character that he wrote into �American Pie� in 1999, �American Pie 2� in 2001, and �American Wedding� in 2003 � an obnoxious hard-drinking jock � was inspired by Krebs. Herz� mega-hit was originally entitled �East Great Falls High� which he based on his high school years in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.

FORT LAUDERDALE CITY MANAGER LEE FELDMAN

May 30, 2011 - And then there was one. On May 17, 2011, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission identified Lee Feldman as the winner of Fort Lauderdale�s City Manager lotto. The 48-year-old former Palm Bay City Manager was the last man standing in a field of 90 prospective applicants. In their wisdom, the City�s Charter founders decided to place Fort Lauderdale�s operational governance in the hands of a Strong City Manager. Although the road less travelled, the advantages of running the city like a business were self-evident. They likened the City Commission to a corporate Board of Directors that sets policy and the City manager to a chief executive responsible for implementing their vision. Instead of entrusting a major metropolitan municipality�s daunting management challenges to periodically popular politicians, a City Manager can be screened for strong professional administrative credentials, a specialized education and training in government operations and a measurable history of past successes.

MAYORS BOB COX AND JIM NAUGLE

Since a strong mayor must survive a popularity contest every three years, a productive city manager provides significantly more stability. Conversely, an incompetent city manager can be fired while a comparably inept mayoral cheese head must be helplessly tolerated for up to three years of painful decline. A city manager is expected to bring fiscal efficiency to the office while voters can only hope that their baby kissing mayor is also a modestly competent fiduciary guardian. As exclaimed by former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Bob Cox, �Day-to-day operations should be run by trained administrators, not politicians.�

FORMER SUNRISE MAYOR JOHN LOMELO

During the past few decades, many Broward cities revised their charters, swapping out strong Mayors for strong City Managers. After watching abrasive strong mayors like John Lomelo and Larry Hoffman bend or ignore ethical rules, reward cronies, arrogantly abuse their power and meddle at will with the City�s administration, a thoroughly disgusted City of Sunrise converted to city manager-based governance. Except for Plantation and Lighthouse Point, Broward municipalities are all run by elected councils or commissions which appoint professional city managers.

MAYOR JACK SEILER AND FORMER CITY MANAGER GEORGE GRETSAS

After former Fort Lauderdale City Manager George Gretsas was ousted by Mayor Jack Seiler, Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom and Commissioner Bruce Roberts despite vehement protests by more than 400 City residents attending a public meeting last summer, the post was temporarily filled by acting City Manager Allyson Love - formerly a Gretsas team member. Stunned by their remarkable luck, the City of Homestead snatched up Gretsas and Love decided to sidestep further fallout from the City Commission�s political agenda by politely declining to compete for the permanent placement.

PASQUALE DIGIOVANNI

The City Commission debated search protocols, empanelled a City Manager Search Committee, hired executive recruitment firm Bob Murray and Associates to support the search effort and chipped away at the imposing pool of prospects. On April 20^th, the City Commission interviewed surviving candidates Feldman, former Coral Springs City Manager Michael Levinson and San Antonio deputy city manager Pasquale DiGiovanni, exclaiming that the final decision would be revealed at the May 17^th Commission meeting. During the final month of a process that closely mimicked a Star Search competition, the inside money was initially on Michael Levinson.

MICHAEL LEVINSON

The 59 year-old Levinson was the Steven Spielberg of the applicant list. In 1997 and 2003, Coral Springs received the Governor�s Sterling Award under his oversight, Florida�s highest honor for organizational performance and management excellence. In 2007, Levinson earned Coral Springs the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for Excellence in business performance and leadership. The fact that this award is only given to corporations and that Coral Springs was the first city ever recognized for this honor speaks to the unique nature of Levinson�s achievement. Unfortunately, Levinson carried some political baggage.

COMMISSIONER TOM POWERS

COMM VINCENT BOCCARD

Levinson was rumored to have left Coral Springs to avoid being targeted by two mudslinging Commissioners who blamed him when they were charged with holding an illegal meeting. While feuding with Coral Springs Police Chief Duncan Foster, City Commissioners Tom Powers and Vincent Boccard violated the Government in the Sunshine Law when they met privately with police union officials Michael Hughes and Christopher Swinson on March 11^th at Bru�s Sports Bar & Grill in Coconut Creek. When Foster dropped a dime on Powers and Boccard, prosecutors filed a misdemeanor charge on March 29^th, alleging the four were illegally discussing city business in the closet. The charges were dropped. Despite Foster�s public statement that he was unilaterally responsible for informing the authorities, Powers insisted that Foster acted on Levinson�s behalf and demanded that Levinson be investigated. Rather than report to a panel whose members wanted his head on a platter, Levinson wisely opted for a change of scenery.

Ironically, the anecdote served to affirm Levinson�s integrity to his potential employers on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. When asked about the rumored incident, Commissioner Bruce Roberts said �If anything, I think it worked in Levinson�s favor.� Notwithstanding, Levinson�s relocation to Fort Lauderdale wasn�t in the cards. Feldman grabbed the brass ring while Levinson and Pasquale DiGiovanni were given bus tickets.

CHARLOTTE RODSTROM - NO ||| ROMNEY ROGERS - YES

At the May 17^th meeting, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler lined up behind Levinson with Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom in tow. They were shut out by Commissioners Bobby DuBose, Romney Rogers and District 1�s Bruce Roberts, who preferred Feldman. Not surprisingly, Rodstrom knocked Feldman based on gossip she traded with a Palm Bay acquaintance. Convinced that Feldman was an �empowering manager�, his three commission backers offered a consensus opinion that Feldman researched the City�s issues more deeply than his competitors for the job. Although characterizing any difference among the three candidates� qualifications and capabilities as �marginal�, Commissioner Dubose gave Feldman points for the importance he ascribed to diversity - City Hall spin for equal attention to minority concerns. Commissioner Rogers said that he became a supporter when Feldman told him that he hadn�t applied for any other job. At the May 19^th GMCA Advisory Board meeting, Bruce Roberts told association officials that Feldman was �a problem solver� and confirmed that �Any of the three finalists would have been an excellent choice. We couldn�t lose.�

FORT LAUDERDALE CITY MANAGER LEE FELDMAN

Lee Feldman had served as City Manager for the Space Coast City of Palm Bay, Florida since October 2002. No stranger to South Florida issues, he came to Palm Bay via the City of North Miami, where he was City Manager from May 1996 to October 2002 and Deputy City Manager from 1989 through 1996. Before that, he served as Assistant to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager in North Miami Beach. Feldman is academically equipped with a B.A. in Public Policies from Washington and Lee University, a Master�s Degree in Governmental Administration from the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania and he completed the Senior Executive in State and Local Government Program at Harvard�s Kennedy School of Government. Like Levinson, Feldman came to the competition bearing some impressive kudos. In 2006, the Florida League of Cities named Feldman �City Manager of the Year�. In 2008, Feldman was added to FEMA�s National Advisory Council, a nationwide panel established under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to provide advice, analysis and assistance in all aspects of preparedness and post-event management. He is also a past President of the Florida City and County Management Association.

In 1959, Palm Bay was platted by the General Development Corp. (GDC), which left the City with hundreds of miles of unpaved roads, few water lines and even fewer sewer lines. After buying the water treatment plant from a bankrupt GDC in 1992, the city began expanding the water and sewer services. Within a few years of his arrival, Feldman planned a build-out of the city�s infrastructure, spearheaded the county�s first municipal charter school, reduced city taxes to their lowest rate in eight years and managed annexations that expanded the city�s jurisdiction by 10% - from 66 to about 72 square miles

The main difference between Feldman�s past and future challenges is magnitude. In Palm Bay, he managed 800 employees and a $115 million budget. In the �Venice of America� he will oversee 2,500 employees and a $611 million operating budget. Feldman�s annual salary in Palm Bay was about $168,000. His predecessor in Fort Lauderdale pulled down $230,000 a year. Whether his income will reflect the proportionately greater demands of the new job remains to be seen.

COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

Feldman comes equipped with the skills, knowledge, experience and temperament to do a laudable job. To his credit, he began making preparations to pilot the City well before he was selected. He is also unusually focused on making this his City. As soon as Feldman was offered the job, Roberts commented �He�s already started doing this job in my opinion, and I gave him the edge for effort.�

FORMER FT LAUD CITY MNGR FLOYD JOHNSON

Every new City Manager must make peace with the ghost of his or her predecessor. After pinning the 2004 budget disaster on former City Manager Floyd Johnson, nervous city commissioners awoke to the realization that they were next in line for ambient culpability. Thanks to his predecessor�s fairy tale budgets and a City Commission whose abrogated oversight responsibilities admittedly inflamed the City�s fiscal nightmare, George Gretsas entered a municipal environment wherein expectations were so low that failure would be taken in stride. On his arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Gretsas was given operational autonomy by a City Commission that would be equally satisfied with a savior or a scapegoat.

GEORGE GRETSAS

In contrast, Feldman is following in the shoes of a City manager with a legendary record of success. The commission members responsible for dumping Gretsas repeatedly assured city residents that Fort Lauderdale would thrive in his absence. For the past two years, the city budget was balanced using the reserve funds that Gretsas amassed prior to getting the boot. Having exhausted any remaining moderately painful cuts while patching together the FY 2011 budget, it is likely that 2012 will take a heavy toll on the still healthy reserves. Once those funds are depleted, the commissioners will start taking public heat.

COMMISSIONER NO!

During their April 20^th candidate interviews, commissioners were encouraged when Feldman announced that he dislikes using reserves to balance the budget. If he can streamline City Hall by comprehensively restructuring the existing table of organization, Feldman may stave off the impending pain. He already told Commissioners that he would cut the number of City departments and work directly with the Police and Fire Chiefs. To accomplish this - they will have to trust Feldman with the operational control previously wielded by Gretsas. Since he was already pre-hammered by Charlotte Rodstrom for no discernible reason, Feldman won�t be surprised when his administrative efforts are implemented by a series of 4 to 1 votes.

COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

June 15, 2011 - In his early Summer Newsletter, City Commissioner Bruce Roberts blends informational tidbits with event reminders. He shines some light on the new City Manager, outlines preparations for the single stream recycling collection process, heralds in the Hurricane Season and enumerates City events over the summer, including the City Commission's seasonal recess.

Roberts otherwise fills out the newsletter with his annual outline of Hurricane Season preparations, a list of upcoming municipal events, and wraps up by disclosing when the City Commission's summer hiatus begins and ends. Read on... � [editor]

DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

A NEW CITY MANAGER: Our new City Manager is Lee Feldman from Palm Bay, FL where he served as City Manager for the past 8 years. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. He earned a Master�s Degree in Governmental Administration from the Fels Center of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.

FORT LAUDERDALE CITY MANAGER LEE FELDMAN

He has also completed the Senior Executive in State and Local Government Program at Harvard�s Kennedy School of Government. Prior to his appointment as the Palm Bay City Manager, Mr. Feldman was employed by the City of North Miami, Florida, where he served as the City Manager from May 1996 to October 2002 and as the Deputy City Manager beginning in 1989. Mr. Feldman also served as an Assistant to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager to the City of North Miami Beach. He currently serves as a Vice President (Southeast Region) of the International City and County Management Association and has served as the President of the Florida City and County Management Association and was named the Florida League of Cities� �City Manager of the Year� in 2006. Mr. Feldman is a member of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency National Advisory Council; serves as Chair of the National League of Cities� City Futures Panel on Public Finance; serves as a member of the National League of Cities Steering Committee on Public Safety and Crime Prevention and Advocacy; chaired the International City and County Management Association�s Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee and serves on the Association�s Sustainability Advisory Group and has served on the Association�s Task Force on Community Tools for Ending Racism. Additionally, he teaches newly elected municipal officials the principles of finance and taxation in Florida and is frequently called upon to speak to professional groups on a variety of municipal issues.

RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTION SERVICES: The City of Fort Lauderdale�s recycling contractor will change from Choice Environmental Services to All Service Refuse. Also, the City will transition its recycling collection process to single stream with the contractor co-mingling recycled materials at the curb. For our City�s residents, this means they will no longer be required to separate their recycled materials into separate bins. The City�s website and printed materials will be changed to provide accurate information regarding the new recycling collection process. Later in the year, when recycling collection services switches from bin service to cart service, a more robust outreach and educational program will be implemented for the City�s residential recycling customers.

HURRICANE SEASON has started - now is a good time to remind everyone to make sure you are ready. I know this article is a repeat, however, it is very important for residents to prepare. Though only a few may lose power, we cannot forget the damage that even a tropical storm can do. Part of this preparation should include creating a disaster plan and assembling a disaster supply kit. The kit should include at least three days worth of water (one gallon, per person, per day) and non-perishable food for each person in your family. Other essential supplies you should have readily available include: a can opener, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, batteries, cash, pet supplies, medications, extra eyeglasses, contact lenses and supplies for people with special needs. For a complete list of emergency supplies and other preparedness tips, visit the City hurricane website at http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/hurricane/index.htm. If you are interested in helping your fellow residents after a hurricane, I encourage you to join the Community Emergency Response Team (or �CERT�). CERT is a highly trained, volunteer group that assists the City after local emergencies. Through Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue, you can receive free training that covers disaster terminology, standard triage, basic first aid, fire suppression, light search and rescue techniques and disaster awareness. After graduation you will be prepared to care for your family and your community, and you will be part of a team that may be called upon to assist the City during an emergency. Free beginner and continuing education classes are available. For more information please call 954-828-6832.

SOME IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR INCLUDE::

• Joint Commission and Budget Advisory Board Workshops - Quarterly Meeting Dates � August 22 AND November 7 (the quarterly budget meetings are tentatively set for the dates listed and have been set for the 8th Floor Conference Room and NOT the Chambers due to audio issues for the audience).

• Starlight Musicals (June 17-August 5): 7-10p.m. � Football Field/Holiday Park � please go to http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/events/starlight/starlight.htm for the 2011 Entertainment Schedule.

• July 4^th Wade-In: Join the City of Ft. Lauderdale and the Ft. Lauderdale/Broward NAACP in celebrating the opening of the restored Eula Johnson House at 1100 Sistrunk Blvd., and commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the historic Wade-Ins that led to the integration of Ft. Lauderdale Beaches. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony starts at 9:00a.m. followed by the Beach Wade-In Ceremony and unveiling of the state historic marker at A1A and Las Olas.

• July 6 Commission Meeting: City Manager�s Proposed Budget and 5-year Financial Plan will be presented.

• August 15: First Pre-Agenda Meeting AFTER Summer Recess

• August 16: First Commission Meeting AFTER Summer Recess

• September 7^th and 20^th Commission Meetings: Public Hearings on the budget

COMMISSION RECESS: Please note that the Commission will be on recess break from Thursday, 7/7/11 through Monday, 8/15/11. During that time, staff will still be here to assist you, however, Commission will not be in session and meetings will not be scheduled.

ROBBI UPTEGROVE

OFFICE CONTACT: Robbi Uptegrove � 954-828-5033; email: [email protected]. In addition to hosting two pre-agenda meetings twice a month, I am also available to attend your HOA meetings to update your neighborhood on what is going on in the City as well as answer any questions/concerns you may have. Please contact Robbi to schedule.

Bruce G. Roberts                

If you need to reach Commissioner Bruce Roberts, please contact his assistant Robbi Uptegrove at 954-828-5033 or by e-mail at [email protected]. To access the City Commission Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Click Here. To actually watch the meetings recorded and archived on the Commission Meetings Video Webcast and Archives web site, Click Here.

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AIR & SEA SHOW AT FT LAUD BEACH

July 18, 2011 - �Look� up in the sky. It�s a bird. It�s a plane. No it�s... Bryan Lilley and Ramola Motwani!� The Fort Lauderdale City Commission intends to breathe life into a 2012 variation of the devolved Air & Sea Show. Until a few years ago, the annual mega-event drew record breaking crowds to the Fort Lauderdale beach, delighted a nationwide television audience and tickled millions of viewers in 144 countries around the planet. Last year, a replacement show marketed as Air Lauderdale stirred hopes for a revival of the City�s weekend-long signature event. After coming within a hair of actualization, the event stalled as promoters made pathetic supplications to the immediate world for a financial rescue that never came.

BLI PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER BRYAN S. LILLEY

Five years after the last Air & Sea Show combined with Fleet Week to frame an impressive tribute to America�s military, event production and management firm B. Lilley, Inc. (BLI) teamed with local real estate impresario Ramola Motwani to bring a scaled down version of the event back to Fort Lauderdale. Following two decades of producing auto shows for Liberty Productions (currently known as Motor Trend Auto Shows), BLI President and Founder Bryan S. Lilley displayed an aptitude for producing space and aviation extravaganzas.

RAMOLA MOTWANI

After incorporating BLI in 2002, Lilley began rolling out successful air and space shows in 2006. To earmark NASA�a 50^th Anniversary, Lilley patched together the World Space Expo at the Kennedy Space Center in November 2007. Since then, he banged out the Cocoa Beach Air Show in Cocoa Beach, Florida each November for the past three years and the OC Air Show in Ocean City, Maryland this June. In the Air Show business, three home runs carry a considerable supply of street cred. In this case, enough to convince a tight-fisted Fort Lauderdale hotelier and real estate magnate to pony up the cash required for a similar performance on the Fort Lauderdale Beach. Since Ramola Motwani had long ago tied her star to Fort Lauderdale�s beachfront, an investment yielding a boatload of free publicity was a good fit.

OCEAN WAVE RESORT HOTEL

When husband Bob passed away in 1994, instead of liquidating their impressive portfolio of beachfront dives that drew squads of Funicello and Avalon wannabes into the Spring Break behavioral sink, Ramola decided to parlay the underlying land into a seat at the table reserved for Masters of the Hospitality Universe. In exchange for allowing �The Donald�s� handlers to develop his Trump International Hotel on her property, she snagged an enterprise partnership in the near bankrupt project. An attorney with an uncanny spongelike ability to learn on the fly, Ramola decided to go it alone on a similar venture next to the Trump International Hotel. She would replace her seedy Tropic Cay Motel and Avalon Waterfront Inn with a 22-story 328-room superluxury hotel called the Ocean Wave (wedged neatly between her 24-story Trump International Hotel and the 25-story Q Club/Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort).

DEV, RAMOLA AND NITIN MOTWANI

Ramola Motwani has two sons. In 2004, Nitin left Goldman Sachs to run Merrimac Ventures - the family business. After sowing his wild oats with Credit Suisse, Dev also agreed to work for mom in 2006. CEO Ramola named him Co-President with sibling Nitin, who was also assigned to scouting worldwide expansion opportunities. She also tapped Dev to temporarily manage the family�s fleabag beachfront placeholders.

On June 21, 2010, BLI and the Motwanis tempted the City Commission with viable plans for an event called the �Lauderdale Air Show�. Their scaled-back version would take place on the beach just north of Sunrise Boulevard from noon to 4 p.m. over the April 28-29, 2012 weekend. After regaling Commissioners with the new team�s credentials, they warned that their participation was contingent on the absence of competition for the site license. They weren�t about to engage in a shoot-out with some of the �less credible� previous recipients of the City Commission�s largesse.

As if scripted for a tier 4 reality show to thicken a weak subplot, public relations consultant Stan Smith appeared out of nowhere to muddy the waters. In 2010, Smith flooded local media markets with press releases for an Air Show replacement called Air Lauderdale. Although a pale imitation of the traditional Air-Sea Show, the event was so sorely missed that Fort Lauderdale residents were more than willing to compromise their expectations. When the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels � two headlining attractions of years past � declined participation, potential sponsors ran for cover. To protect itself, the City required that promoters secure a $1 million bond to ensure payment for municipal cops, firefighters and cleanup crews enlisted for the event. Following a futile search for an angel with deep pockets, Smith threw in the towel and cancelled Air Lauderdale.

The other prospective Air Show competitor was promoter Mickey Markoff�s MDM Group, the parent company of Pro Series, Inc. (PSI), which developed the original Air & Sea show into the City�s premier event. The Air & Sea show was actually a descendent of the Budweiser Air & Water Show of Chicago, which PSI inherited in 1987. By exploiting corporate sponsorship, they developed the Chicago lakefront show into the largest two day event in the nation, garnering 2.7 million visitors. When the Chicago Mayor�s �Office of Special Events� staged a political �takeover� in 1994, a year later PSI honcho Mickey Markoff convinced Shell Oil to try the formula in Fort Lauderdale, surmising that the city would be desperate to fill the vacuum created when Fort Lauderdale decided to trade its mantle as the �Spring Break capitol� for the broader appeal of reinventing its image as the �Venice of America.� After the audience tripled in 1996 from 800,000 to 2.5 million, Markoff swapped Shell Oil for McDonald�s and attracted all five branches of the military by developing the Air & Sea Show Display Village into a remarkably effective recruiting device. Incorporating Fleet Week enhanced the event�s popularity, ultimately expanding its annual beachfront and local media audience to 4 million.

GEORGE GRETSAS CLAMPS DOWN

Markoff continued to build corporate support through 2007, assembling a $5 million sponsorship network. Starting with the 2003 municipal budget blowout, Markoff and the City feuded continuously though 2007 about the provision of support services. The Air & Sea Show was originally organized as a self-sustaining event. In 1999, the city offered to provide certain services on the cuff. When City finances hit the skids in 2003, contract renewal negotiations toughened. Backed by new City Manager George Gretsas, Commissioners told promoters that the City�s gesture of support made when Fort Lauderdale was fiscally healthy needed rethinking.

AIR & SEA SHOW DISPLAY VILLAGE RECRUITERS

The show was a cash cow for promoter MDM Group Ltd. (MDM) and subsidiary Pro Series Inc. (PSI), bringing in millions every year. According to show spokesperson Elaine Fitzgerald, the show cost about $4 million to produce. The U.S. military contributed the planes and fighter jets, boats and military personnel while Pro Series Inc. paid for aircraft and sea-craft fuel, room and board for participating military crews and �gym space� for hosted military VIPs. In addition to standby police and fire rescue personnel, the city provided sanitation services and the Parks staff required for the post-event beach rehab.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICKEY MARKOFF

Senior sponsor McDonald�s shelled out $3 million each year for the Title sponsorship. TV revenues, promotional sales and enormous corporate financial support (40 + corporate sponsors) all fed the promoters� bottom line. When the City proposed returning to a self-supporting show, Executive Producer Markoff of MDM Group and Johnny Williams, Esq. (Executive Director, Air & Sea Show) of Pro Series Inc. slammed the door. The promoters not only refused to open their books to the City, they threatened to sue if the City didn�t continue the service subsidies. At a time when Fort Lauderdale�s hemorrhaging budget forced service cuts and layoffs circled above employees� heads like vultures, the promoters arrogantly insisted that taxpaying residents foot the bill for their �free� show.

FORMER COMMISSIONER CHRISTINE TEEL

At a June 17, 2004 GMCA Advisory Board meeting, former Commissioner Christine Teel explained that the City provided $458,571 in Fire-Rescue, Public Services, Parks & Recreation and Police Services to the Air & Sea Show for which the promoters reimbursed the city $171,039. Parking revenues of $43,634 helped cushion the bloodletting. The rest, $243,898, was picked up by the City�s taxpayers. Not exactly a free show. Every subsequent year through its demise in 2007, Markoff threatened to move his traveling circus to Miami, Daytona or elsewhere on the coast.

GFLCVB PRESIDENT NICKI GROSSMAN

Markoff claimed that the show represented a windfall for local vendors. Although President Nicki Grossman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) agreed that the few hundred thousand people attracted to the beach over the weekend generated about $4 million, it was unclear how much of that benefited the local economy. �It is worth a lot in terms of image, and it�s a great patriotic boost,� conceded Grossman. �But it�s not a reliable source of room nights.� The reaction of local merchants to the show�s departure was mixed. The annual feedback from local retailers and restaurateurs along the beach and in surrounding communities convinced Grossman that the show�s impact on area businesses as a whole was marginal. She stated, �All restaurants tell us is that it doesn�t generate a whole lot of business.�

PUFF �N� STUFF SELECTED VENDOR

Since the Air & Sea Show licensed its own vendors, profits for most food, retail and souvenir sales weren�t reaped by area business owners. Grossman revealed how promoters hamstrung local merchants, �The vendors licensed by the air show get most of the food and souvenir sales.� The city had no say over which vendors were chosen by the promoter to harvest profits. According to show spokesperson Fitzgerald, they utilized a single out-of-town vendor called San Francisco Puff �N� Stuff to outsource all of the show�s vendor needs. �We stick with who we know,� said Fitzgerald. �A critical piece of running the show is getting vendors that can do a good job.� Given the operational pitfalls of selling promotional buttons and �dirty water� hot dogs, her explanation hovered somewhere between ludicrous and insulting. However, it clearly explained why the show was of minor economic consequence to area businesses.

FORMER MAYOR JIM NAUGLE NO $$$ BENEFIT FOR CITY

Although former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle expressed his appreciation for the Air & Sea Show�s success as an armed forces recruiter, he was never impressed with the event�s fiscal contribution to the city. He said that merchants in the Galleria Mall, located just over the causeway from the Fort Lauderdale Beach event site, claimed that the show�s traffic dramatically hampered Mother�s Day shoppers in weeks preceding the holiday. Mall officials agreed that the show was detrimental to the bottom lines of most Galleria retailers. Naugle added that shop owners and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard, the high-end shopping district perpendicular to the beach, also described the show as disruptive to business. Ironically, the average City resident mistakenly believed that the signature Air & Sea Show beneficently filled local coffers every spring. Due to the one-way business model tailored by an intransigent Markoff, it didn�t!

Although the event�s fiscal value to the City was always questionable, it was a stunning success as a recruiting tool for the military. When the show opened in Fort Lauderdale in 1995, Florida was 26^th in the nation for military recruiting. After a decade of Air & Sea Shows, Florida had achieved recognition as the nation�s most prolific recruiting machine. Commenting on the underlying rationale for the event�s recruiting success, PSI promoter Johnny Williams said, �For a long time the military was trying to connect to the American public. This shows the American people how their military dollars are being spent.�

Some insiders believed that the show�s official withdrawal from Fort Lauderdale was a precursor to relocating to another venue. Suspected of potentially benefitting from Fort Lauderdale�s loss were Miami, Daytona and Miami Beach. With the benefit of hindsight, a more credible scenario envisioned a split between McDonald�s and Markoff stemming from some embarrassing legal entanglements. McDonald�s fashioned a business niche built on its reputation as a family institution. In 2003, the flashy promoter was thrice accused of being a peeping tom.

STATE ATTY MICHAEL SATZ

Fort Lauderdale police records show claims that Markoff breached a local women�s bedroom late at night uninvited. Another woman claimed to have confronted Markoff through her window causing him to drive off in his white Porsche tagged �Airshow� (as described in the police report). Another report filed on November 15, 2003 confirmed that Markoff was accused of watching a 25-year-old woman shower from a walkway marked �no trespassing� in a chic East Las Olas development. The woman �came out of her shower to see a man looking into her bedroom window� (as per the police report). �The man backed away and left on a motorcycle. However, he returned later, this time driving a car and wearing a different shirt, to resume looking into the window.�

JUDGE LEONARD FEINER

Following a year-long investigation that led State Attorney Michael Satz into court, Markoff pleaded �no contest� to charges filed on October 8, 2004 stemming from his nocturnal peeping proclivities. Found guilty of two trespassing charges, one loitering and prowling charge and one disorderly conduct charge, Circuit Judge Leonard Feiner sentenced Markoff to three years� probation conditional on his continued compliance with a remarkably friendly plea agreement. Markoff had to submit a DNA sample, undergo annual polygraph testing about voyeuristic behavior and, understandably, stay out of his neighbors� yards. Markoff was also mandated to make $5000 contributions to assorted Women�s support organizations including �Women in Distress�. Additionally, he was precluded from entering the high-end Sunrise Key development � one scene of the crime � without the specific invitation and approval of every community resident.

The City and Markoff�s corporate sponsors (such as McDonald�s) were primarily concerned about the degree to which the resulting public relations nightmare would tarnish the event and its supporters. For a few years, they dodged a bullet by masterfully managing damage control. To their chagrin, Sun-Sentinel correspondent Brittany Wallman inflamed local outrage with follow-up reports about similar incidents in 1998 and 2001. A convicted sex crimes recidivist, Markoff's sponsorship opportunities hit a brick wall. Unless Hustler�s Larry Flynt was suddenly beset by uncontrollable waves of patriotic fervor, the BLI - Motwani group had little to fear from Markoff.

SMITH ADDRESSES REPORTERS

They were, however, concerned about Smith. Hoping to exploit any renewed interest stirred by the BLI - Motwani group�s offer, Smith claimed that his 2010 contract with the City - which he didn�t fulfill - allows him to host another Air Show in 2012. When asked about his suspiciously disruptive last minute intervention, Smith exclaimed that he�d been quietly working on covert plans for an Air Show for the same April 28-29, 2012 weekend described by his rival. His dubious plans were so quiet that neither the neighborhood association nor the local beach redevelopment board was aware of their existence.

City officials also hadn�t heard from Smith since his project withered last year. The City Attorney openly refuted any obligation to Smith, whose failure to deliver breached his compact with the City. Aware of the hallmark event�s importance to the city�s image, Mayor Jack Seiler stoically managed a straight face while announcing, �The city is going to have to pick one or the other. We have competing proposals, and the question is how do we handle this fairly.�

The City Commission quickly scheduled a special meeting on July 12, 2011. The meeting agenda promised a forthcoming decision between the rival promoters. Hoping to trade on the success of the original Air & Sea show, the Air Lauderdale group was headed by Ted Plana, who managed operations for 13 years under Markoff. Since the $1 million bond that tripped up Smith last year would again burden the winning bidder, both groups promised to address the expense through sponsorships and ticket sales. Unfortunately for Plana, the panel recalled similar assurances Air Lauderdale made last year before coming up short. A July 11^th memo from new City Manager Lee Feldman estimated municipal operational costs in excess of $700,000 for either plan. Fumbling their 2010 opportunity seemingly stigmatized Air Lauderdale�s proposal and fatally clouded their credibility.

STEVE SAVOR & STAN SMITH

DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

The Air Lauderdale group was also hampered by Smith�s personal financial problems. When Smith pulled the plug on the 2010 event, Fort Lauderdale businessman Steve Savor sued Air Lauderdale and Smith for $116,967 he loaned to the failed Air Show and was awarded a $58,000 judgment that Smith never paid. A former spokesperson for billionaire businessman H. Wayne Huizenga, Smith owes another $58,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for back taxes. After swimming through Smith�s sticky finances, Commissioner Bruce Roberts commented �It�s enlightening, and it makes you wonder if he can get it together. The most important thing is we get the air show, so it comes down their financial ability.�

OCEAN CITY MAYOR RICK MEEHAN NOTE TO JACK SEILER

FORT LAUDERDALE MAYOR JACK SEILER

It came as no surprise when the Commission opted for the BLI - Motwani group�s �Lauderdale Air Show�. Dev Motwani said �We remember the good old days of the air show and how important it was to the city.� Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan sent Mayor Seiler an endorsement of Bryan Lilley that glowed in the dark. The Mayor and the three attending Commissioners offered two reasons for their decision. Lilley�s extensive experience with mega-events and his recently successful Air Shows served to boost Commission confidence in the BLI plan. The BLI � Motwani team emphasized that their production will require no tax dollars. Punctuating the Commission�s commitment to realizing this opportunity, Mayor Seiler added �We need to make sure this event happens. We are going to have a tremendous event. It needs to return to the city of Fort Lauderdale.�

Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom�s take on the decision is less clear. Since she was visiting in North Carolina during the meeting, she participated via a telephone hookup. As the panel was vetting the issue, Rodstrom was overheard asking some unidentified companion �Now, what do I say?� Mayor Seiler cautioned the seemingly confused District 2 Commissioner that the meeting hall audience and television viewers watching the proceedings could hear her remarks. Perhaps she misplaced her script.

CANADIAN SNOWBIRDS FLYING TEAM

The Lauderdale Air Show�s new format cures most of the problems that plagued its predecessor. Local vendors will openly share in the event�s economic spinoff. Taxpayers won�t be scotched by service subsidies extorted from the City. The show�s abbreviated duration will relieve traffic to and from shopping venues (A1A will only be closed during show hours instead of the entire weekend). Like other Barrier Island natives, Galt Mile residents will gather friends and family to watch the signature event from balconies, windows and their beach. After a five year hiatus, the City of Fort Lauderdale will resume celebrating an annual spectacle that applauds our heroic men and women in harm�s way. Despite the brain-frying sonic booms, the Mayor got it right when he remarked �We need to make sure this event happens!�

GMCA PRESIDENTS COUNCIL CHAIR PIO IERACI APPLAUDS PROJECT KICKOFF - Broward Comms SUE GUNZBERGER & KRISTIN JACOBS & former Hollywood Mayor MARA GIULIANTI

FORMER HOLLYWOOD MAYOR MARA GIULIANTI BROWARD COMMISSIONER KRISTIN JACOBS BROWARD COMMISSIONER SUE GUNZBERGER HALLANDALE BEACH MAYOR JOY COOPER AND DANIA BEACH VICE MAYOR PAT FLURY

August 9, 2011 - Six years after the Army Corps of Engineers finalized its environmental impact statement for Broward�s beach renourishment, the Mayors of Hollywood, Hallandale and Dania Beach threw a celebratory event marking commencement of the long delayed South Broward part of the Broward Shore Preservation project (Segment III) on May 6, 2005.

Following completion of the Segment III renourishment in March of 2006, monitors from Nova Southeast University Oceanographic Center and a coalition of outside engineers joined county scientists to begin examining the environmental effects of repairing the County�s shoreline from the Dade County line to John U. Lloyd State Park Beach. After an 18-month monitoring period, their report documented two species of coral Federally designated as �threatened� in 2006.

PORT EVERGLADES SAND BYPASS PLAN

A May 2007 project summary that reviewed the environmental and fiscal fallout of Segment III (south Broward beaches) and the outlook for Segment II (north Broward beaches) also touched on the Port Everglades Inlet Sand Bypassing Project � a separate but related adjunct to the County�s overall shore preservation strategy.

STEPHEN HIGGINS BEACH WIZZARD

Broward�s former Beach Administrator Stephen Higgins reported, �The County is investigating the feasibility of moving between 50,000 and 90,000 cubic yards of excess sand from the upland beach north of Port Everglades to a hot-spot location along south Hollywood and north Hallandale Beach.� Performing smaller, more frequent sand placements at erosion hot-spots would only require what he called �sands of opportunity,� relieving pressure on thinning dredge sites. Higgins also anticipated using erosion control structures to slow erosion along other coastal hot-spots. He said, �The County is currently monitoring the equilibration of the beach fill to ascertain any impacts that might occur to the nearshore hardbottoms from migrating sand.�

T-GROINS EXPOSED SOUTH OF PORT INLET

The sand bypass had a larger purpose. In contrast with past beach projects that were largely neglected once completed, the County planned a maintenance component to ensure the extended health of the rehabilitated beaches, thereby postponing the need for (and expense of) future renourishments. Although sand naturally migrates south along the coast, intermittent special attention to certain �erosion hot spots� that evacuate at an accelerated rate could slow the need for future full scale renourishments.

PORT EVERGLADES INLET SAND COVERS GROINS

By interrupting the alongshore movement of sand, stabilized inlets such as the Hillsboro Inlet and the Port Everglades entrance channel are responsible for 85% of beach erosion in Florida. Sand bypassing is a process by which sand is artificially captured on the updrift side of the inlet and transferred to downdrift beaches. The Port Everglades Sand Bypass Project will modify the Port Everglades inlet by constructing a 7.1-acre sand trap on the north side of the Port entrance channel to a depth of � 49 feet (below mean sea level), a depth comparable to that of the existing Port channel.

The purpose of the project is to reduce sand accumulation in the federal navigational channel and provide an opportunity to transport the sand to the beach south of the Port Everglades inlet by dredging the sand trap at 2 to 4 year intervals. After being transferred to the John U. Lloyd State Park beach, the sand would continue migrating down the coast.

FORMER COMMISSIONER CHRISTINE TEEL

In November of 2008, former District 1 Commissioner Christine Teel forwarded an email to GMCA officials about an agenda item from the November 13, 2008 Broward County Commission meeting. Entitled �Beach Erosion,� it divulged 1) how a sand shortage could delay the Fort Lauderdale (Segment II) renourishment, 2) the need to �reevaluate the Segment II project in the context of current economic and environmental conditions� and 3) a study update about �erosion control structures to be employed along the County�s shoreline to reduce the rates of erosion and help sustain our beach nourishment projects.�

One month earlier, Higgins attended an unpublicized meeting in Hollywood. Complaining that their recently renourished beaches had lost a few feet of sand, powerful South Broward business leaders and politicians pressed Higgins to leapfrog the project schedule and give their marginal erosion deficit priority over the Segment II renourishment. When Galt Mile residents learned that their sand was covertly coveted by Hollywood officials, they went ballistic.

MARA GIULIANTI, ELEANOR SOBEL AND SUE GUNZBURGER

In 2002, the south county Segment III part of the project was facing fierce opposition from pseudo-environmental groups hastily recruited by the Scuba Industry (which stood to lose $millions during the project�s planned temporary reef closures). Former Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti, District 6 Broward Commissioner Sue Gunzburger and Hollywood legislator Eleanor Sobel (former Statehouse Representative now in the Florida Senate) pleaded with Barrier Island beach communities to help them convince Tallahassee of the project�s necessity.

HOLLYWOOD BEACH COMMUNITY CENTER

The only substantial response came from the Galt Mile Community Association. On April 30, 2002, more than 150 residents of the Galt Ocean Mile (2 busloads) descended on a public hearing at the Hollywood Beach Community Center in support of the Army Corps of Engineers plan to renourish the County�s shrinking beaches. On May 13, 2003 (one year later), a contingent of eight Galt Mile residents flew to Tallahassee and testified at a Florida Cabinet hearing convened to ascertain whether the project should include Fort Lauderdale�s eroded beaches and if beach community homeowners supported the County plan. Their overwhelmingly favorable testimony elicited the Cabinet�s unanimous approval.

Indebted to their Galt Mile neighbors for the impending rescue of their eroded beaches, grateful South County officials promised to return the favor by pledging their support for Segment II (in Fort Lauderdale). In a bald-faced act of betrayal, these same politicians later launched a stealth campaign to hijack the sand earmarked for Fort Lauderdale�s beaches.

Anger over the attempt to usurp Segment II renourishment resources was exacerbated by its perpetration by the community�s supposed �allies�. Empathetic with Galt Mile civic leaders, on January 6, 2009, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission passed Resolution 9-11, Section 2 of which �requests that construction of the Segment II beach renourishment project be completed prior to any permit being issued for the construction of the Port Everglades Entrance Sand Bypass Project.�

FORMER FDEP SECRETARY MICHAEL W. SOLE

Things soon got worse. When Higgins failed to respond to inquiries about Segment II delays in 2008 and 2009, GMCA officials contacted then Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Michael Sole, who confirmed that Higgins� Broward Biological Resources Division hadn�t responded to State Departmental inquiries for more than a year. While the two agencies were locked in this eerie limbo, the Federal and State permits authorizing the project expired.

Prior to proceeding with Segment II, Broward beach officials would first have to repeat the environmental testing required for a new federal permit. Since Michael Sole � by training an accredited Marine Biologist � worked with Higgins in Broward County prior to his FDEP appointment, he was familiar with the project�s scientific and engineering parameters. While a painful repetition of the federal permit process was unavoidable, Secretary Sole granted Higgins a 5-year State permit extension through June 4, 2014, saving County beach officials months of bureaucratic tedium. The extension proved to be a parting gift. A year later, Sole stepped down as FDEP chief while overseeing the State�s response to the Deepwater Horizon fiasco and accepted an offer from Florida Power & Light to serve as Vice President of their Governmental Affairs Department. Welcome to Florida!

BROWARD Administrator BERTHA HENRY

When public officials in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach and other Segment II project stakeholders learned that the County fell asleep at the wheel, they went looking for scalps. Hoping to quell the exploding rancor, Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry sent a beach renourishment update to former Fort Lauderdale City Manager George Gretsas on May 27, 2010. She concluded her summary of beach project issues with the comment �Broward County-conducted beach construction in Segment II is targeted for November of 2011, pending completion of the engineering/design and permitting processes in a timely fashion.� Shortly afterwards, Beach Administrator Higgins announced that he would retire in 2011. Although he would continue as a consultant, his primary duties would be assumed by his boss, Deputy Director Eric Myers of Broward�s Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department.

ERIC MYERS

Apologizing for his predecessor�s enigmatic behavior, Myers twice told GMCA officials attending the February and May Presidents Council meetings �I understand that you have repeatedly been told that the project is scheduled for late 2011. I don�t believe that�s possible. Since we must first complete the Federal permit process and collect the State and Federal funds allocated to the project, a far more realistic target date is late 2013.�

Myers has also worked to diffuse local animosities and refocus the feuding parties� objectives to rehabilitating the County�s beaches. Since 2008, City officials have repeatedly stonewalled County requests to implement the bypass project. With time, the angry reaction by Galt Mile officials to south county duplicity took a back seat to our shared objective - restoring the beach.

Rather than repeatedly relocate mountains of sand whenever tidal erosion shrinks the beach, planners engineered the project around sustainability. Designed to mesh with the natural southerly migration of sand along the shore, each of the interdependent plan segments lends stability to the overall shoreline. The soundness of each segment depends on the integrity of adjacent segments with special attention to �erosion hot spots�. In short, since Hollywood sand migrates from Fort Lauderdale, delaying Segment II also threatens Hollywood�s beaches.

CITY COMMISSIONER BRUCE ROBERTS

When Myers pitched the bypass at the May 17, 2011 Fort Lauderdale City Commission meeting, Commissioners salted some additional factors into the County formula. Commissioner Bruce Roberts told Myers that Galt Mile residents � whose staunch project advocacy was grounded in the belief that a healthy beach was critical to the area�s economy � have been waiting since 1998 for the County to make good on promises to renourish the Segment II beaches. Roberts insisted that its economic impact on both tourism and area businesses be incorporated into project protocols for cost effectiveness. Recalling that the last load of sand was deposited on the Diplomat Hotel beach, Commissioner Romney Rogers concluded that Fort Lauderdale should receive the next available infusion of sand.

FSBPA PRESIDENT DEBBIE FLACK

According to President Debbie Flack of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, Commissioner Bruce Roberts is on the money. Flack confirms that every dollar spent on beach restoration yields an $8 return in tourism income. Roberts� recommendation recognizes that beach-driven tourism is one of the healthiest sectors of the State�s unstable economy.

And then came Charlotte. Instead of locating a sand catchment devise north of the inlet, Commissioner Rodstrom suggested using the Port�s entrance channel as a sand trap - which could be dredged when shipping began piling up in the increasingly impacted channel. Senior Engineer and Vice President Christopher Creed of Olsen Associates, Inc., a specialty engineering firm retained by Broward County, diplomatically exclaimed �I am not aware of any federal navigation channels that are used in that way.�

HOLLYWOOD MAYOR PETER BOBER

After almost four years of infighting, it appears that north and south county beach municipalities finally realize that the alternatives to working together are unacceptable. Since the initial rift in 2008, Hollywood Mayor Peter J.M. Bober offered two reasons why Hollywood won�t benefit from placing their interests above those of Fort Lauderdale. While admitting that there are places in Hollywood where the ocean abuts the seawall, sand conserved from the bypass wouldn�t reach them for years. Stressing the importance of maintaining municipal collegiality, he added �Hollywood is not interested in doing anything that would give us any unfair advantage or cause any detriment to Fort Lauderdale residents or the City�s reputation.� The politically correct rhetoric aside, Bober knows that if the project is frozen by another conflict, everyone loses.

If the parties fail to reunite behind assurances from Eric Myers, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano beaches will remain skeletal and beaches in Hollywood and Hallandale will quickly surrender their newly infused sand to tidal erosion. Accessing ever-tightening Federal funds and circumventing a Tallahassee Administration that wiped renourishment funds from the State budget will require the combined political muscle of every stakeholder. In addition to rehabilitating Broward�s muddied credibility and coalescing coastal municipalities behind the project, Myers is actively lobbying support from every beachfront neighborhood.

SAINT SEBASTIAN CHURCH

His next informational meeting about the sand bypass is scheduled for 7 PM on August 17^th in the St. Sebastian Parish Hall at 2000 SE 25^th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. While Myers details the project�s overview, construction methods and environmental protections, attendees will likely be focused on the oversized storyboards behind the speaker. They dramatically contrast the healthy beach north of the inlet with the limp ribbon of sand to the south. The stated purpose of the meeting is �to review the current status of the project and ongoing efforts of determining the best way to construct the sand trap and jetty improvements.�

When Mayor Seiler opened the May 17^th Commission meeting to public comment, Point of Americas resident Ina Lee (associate publisher of the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood edition of Travelhost magazine) rattled off a spate of disparate reasons for the Commission to refute Myers� advocacy of the sand bypass, culminating with an exhortation against �interfering with mother nature,� a strange admonition from someone who openly supports Broward�s beach renourishment. Not surprisingly, the Point of Americas Condominium sits directly on the �healthy beach north of the inlet.� Welcome to the world of NIMBY (not in my back yard).

FORT LAUDERDALE CITY MANAGER LEE FELDMAN

COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

August 20, 2011 - In municipalities guided by a strong City Manager, when a new chief cook and bottle washer takes the reins, the first few months approximate life in a Cuisinart. When the City Commission narrowed the field of City Manager candidates to 3 finalists, Commissioner Bruce Roberts applauded future City Manager Lee Feldman for his Olympian work ethic, stating �He�s already started doing this job in my opinion, and I gave him the edge for effort. I think he would be running with the ball right away.� Roberts nailed it.

In the past year alone, the process manned by Roberts, Uptegrove and Richards was used to successfully correct issues with street maintenance, trespassing, landscaping neglect, noise complaints, utility graffiti, fading traffic lines, paver damage, dangerously dilapidated neighborhood storefronts and race night on A1A. Unfortunately, the infamous homeless Galt Mile bench dweller whose entrenchment (and celebrity) increases with every handout remains an enigma. Read on... � [editor]

DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER BRUCE G. ROBERTS

City Manager Update: Lee Feldman has been hard at work since June reorganizing City staff and preparing the next budget. Part of his reorganization has involved the elimination of an Assistant City Manager while bringing on board two new Assistant City Managers: Stanley Hawthorne and Susanne Torriente. Their brief bios are provided below:

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER STANLEY HAWTHORNE

Stanley Hawthorne: Prior to accepting his new position with the City, Mr. Hawthorne served six years as the Assistant City Manager of Lakeland, FL where he oversaw the departments of Human Resources, Information Technology, Risk Management/Purchasing, Internal Audit and the Lakeland Center. He also led the city�s Performance Excellence Division where he focused on enhancing operations through performance efficiencies and process improvements. In addition, he directed Lakeland�s strategic operating plan, $600 million operating budget, and capital improvement program. Mr. Hawthorne has more than 25 years experience in government. He previously served as City Manager of Lauderdale Lakes, Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance for Tamarac, and Director of Management and Budget for the City of Hollywood, FL. He began his career in municipal government in 1985 in the City of Saginaw, Michigan where he worked for seven years advancing to the position of Assistant to the City Manager. Mr. Hawthorne holds an undergraduate degree from Troy State University in Alabama and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Virginia.

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER SUSANNE TORRIENTE

Susanne Torriente: Ms. Torriente comes to the City of Fort Lauderdale from Miami-Dade County where she most recently served as Director of the Office of Sustainability. In this position, she was responsible for overseeing major departments critical to achieving the County�s sustainability goals including Solid Waste Management, Environmental Resources Management, Water and Sewer, and Community Image. Ms. Torriente directed Miami-Dade County�s policy formulation, grants, energy management and reduction strategies, alternative energy options, sustainable capital developed processes, water conservation, and other sustainability-related programs and initiatives. Under her leadership, the County developed and implemented its first sustainability plan, which also includes the County�s first climate action plan. Prior to being appointed as Director of the Office of Sustainability, Ms. Torriente served as Chief of Staff and Chief Assistant County Manager. Her 20-year career with Miami-Dade County also includes overseeing Police, Fire-Rescue, Corrections and Emergency Management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master�s degree in Public Administration from the University of Miami.

Budget News: As indicated above, we are in the process of preparing the budget for FY 2011/2012. At our July 6^th Commission Meeting, the City Manager introduced a very preliminary budget proposal. At this meeting, your Commission again held the line by adopting the current millage rate cap for the next year. This will make it three consecutive years that we have not increased the millage rate. Of Florida�s twenty largest cities, we have the second lowest millage rate. In the past two years, we have reduced the General Fund Operating Budget by $12.5 million. We further directed staff to maintain our healthy General Fund Balance, which is currently at 19%. Lastly, we intend to keep delivering vital City services at the levels expected by our neighborhoods. If you would like to read it in its entirety, go to http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/2012Budget_Book/11-12budget.htm.

Mark You Calendar: These budget issues and other important matters will be discussed in several public forums on the following dates:

• August 23 at 7:00p.m.: Quarterly Joint Workshop with our Budget Advisory Board; 8^th floor conference room

• August 23: next regularly scheduled Commission Meeting

• August 25 at 5:30p.m.: Re-districting Special Commission Meeting for public input; City Hall Chambers

• September 7: regularly scheduled Commission Meeting including a Public Hearing on the budget

• September 13 at 6:00p.m.: Special Meeting for public input regarding proposed Fire Assessment Rate Increase of $15 per year

• September 20: regularly scheduled Commission Meeting, which includes a final Public Hearing on the budget and the Commission adoption of the new budget

At the beginning of the year, I thought it worthwhile to reflect on our accomplishments, which have been brought about through a dynamic partnership with our neighborhoods. With so much negative news out there nowadays, I again want to take the opportunity to focus on some good news and encourage everyone to stay focused on the positive.

• We celebrated our Centennial.

• 364 calls for service were logged into our office by concerned citizens of District 1 in 2010. We are on pace to at least repeat that volume.

• Once again, no increase in the current operating millage rate of 4.1193; this equates to the 2^nd lowest rate among Florida�s twenty largest cities.

• For two consecutive years, there was no increase in the fire assessment fee.

• In 2010, serious crime declined citywide by approximately 4% when compared to 2009.

• Initiated Police/Fire pension reform in finalizing contract negotiations. This is already saving us hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• Our reserve fund stands at 19% of the General Fund Budget, which exceeds the nationally recommended range of 7% to 15%.

• In the past two years, 145 vacant funded personnel positions were eliminated.

• 13 parks have been outfitted with lightning warning systems, and 2 new parks are scheduled to open within the next few weeks.

• We hosted approximately 200 special events, which were produced by other organizations.

• Decisions on major projects, which have lingered for years, are now being moved forward, e. g. Sistrunk Corridor, Bahia Mar, Executive Airport stadium issues, and South Andrews Avenue Business District.

• Strong economic development support through partnerships such as the Chamber of Commerce�s �Business First� initiative, and the TMA�s (Sun Trolley) plan to expand routes which will cater to hundreds of thousands of cruise ship passengers and bring them to our business and entertainment venues.

• We have had meetings and public workshops with many of our advisory boards and committees, e.g. Budget Advisory Board, Centennial Committee, Sustainability Committee (now a board), Visioning Committee and Beach Redevelopment Board. Follow-up meetings are scheduled.

These are just samplings of what your Commission has been working with you to accomplish in these tough economic times. It also demonstrates my focused commitment towards my previous promise to:

• Bring back citizen participation in government decisions

• Bring back effective and efficient public safety

• Bring back collegial leadership to the City Commission

• Bring back balanced development that will protect our neighborhoods and green space

I want to thank City staff for their constant dedication in addressing all of the concerns, issues and ideas that come through the Commission Office � not only for District 1, but also for the City as a whole. We still have much more that we can do. I am looking forward to continue working for you.

Pain Clinics: It has been some time since reporting to you about this issue. I am sure you are aware of the Governor�s decision to support and sign into law a state statute which finally established a drug registration system and restrictions for dispensing certain drugs.

GOV. SCOTT SIGNS PILL MILL BILL

Your Commission also enacted an ordinance which further regulates the operation of pain clinics. Some of the highlights include parking space requirements, office and examining room square footage space requirements, no queuing of customers outside, no employees with felony or drug related conviction backgrounds for five years, inspection of premises, annual license renewal and located at least 500 feet from schools, churches, parks, libraries or daycare facilities.

Recent Technology Innovations: The City Manger and staff have recently introduced some new technology enhancements to improve communication with our neighbors:

• WWW.RAIDSONLINE.COM provides citywide crime data, maps and analysis.

• WWW.FORTLAUDERDALE.GOV/LAUDERSERV is a free application for Android-based mobile devices which provides 24 hour access to the City�s Customer Service Center. The application also has several customer service-friendly features:

  • Makes the City of Fort Lauderdale more accessible to citizens.

  • Interfaces with Google Maps and GPS technology to automatically detect report location information.

  • Provides the option of attaching photos to reports.

  • Offers categories to streamline reports to help ensure information gets to the appropriate department.

  • Provides users with the flexibility to customize each report.

  • Connects citizens to the City!

• Quick Response (QR) Codes: We are also starting to use QR codes, which are the small black and white squares that, when scanned with a smart phone, will take you directly to a website. Adding QR codes to our marketing efforts will provide our neighbors with more detailed information about special events, new programs and services, green initiatives, grant opportunities, public workshops and town hall meetings. Similarly, placing QR codes on informational materials, signage and vehicles, will enable us to communicate details about employment opportunities, economic development initiatives, construction projects, parking, sports leagues, dockage rates, beach conditions, crime prevention, road closures, recycling, sanitation, bulk trash and more. The codes can be read with a QR code reader application (app). Some of these apps are preloaded on mobile phones, while others may be downloaded for free. The app scans the QR code and converts it to the appropriate content (i.e., a website, video link, contact information, data, etc.). For example, by scanning the QR code below, you will be directed to the City�s Starlight Musicals webpage. There, you can quickly find information about the event schedule, upcoming performers, weather updates, participation of non-profit groups, recycling and Holiday Park. QR codes can be created and read at no cost. They represent an economical way to supplement our marketing efforts, reach our neighbors with salient information, and generate increased awareness, visibility and exposure for the City. Making information easily accessible through QR codes will foster greater transparency in government and create a stronger connection between our neighbors and our City. The City of Fort Lauderdale is committed to continually developing innovative ways to engage and assist citizens, especially through new and expanding technologies.

Florida Neighborhoods Conference: Thanks to all who attended the just concluded Florida Neighborhoods Conference here in Fort Lauderdale. We especially want to congratulate Vice President and longtime Council stalwart Betty Shelley (Imperial Point HOA President) on her induction to the All-State Neighborhood Team. This is an award given annually by the FNC State Planning Committee to "recognize the dedication and commitment of neighborhood leaders...for their unwavering efforts to improve the neighborhoods and communities where they live." This certainly fits Betty to a "T.� We are proud of her and happy that she got the recognition she so richly deserves but would never seek for herself. Congratulations Betty!!!

ROBBI UPTEGROVE

Office Contact: Robbi Uptegrove � 954-828-5033; email: [email protected]. In addition to hosting two pre-agenda meetings twice a month, I am also available to attend your HOA meetings to update your neighborhood on what is going on in the City as well as answer any questions/concerns you may have. Please contact Robbi to schedule.

Bruce G. Roberts                

If you need to reach Commissioner Bruce Roberts, please contact his assistant Robbi Uptegrove at 954-828-5033 or by e-mail at [email protected]. To access the City Commission Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Click Here. To actually watch the meetings recorded and archived on the Commission Meetings Video Webcast and Archives web site, Click Here.

Galt Ocean Mile Ups its Game!

Gets �Gatekeeper� and Green Clean

GALT OCEAN MILE WINN-DIXIE HELPS FOOD DRIVE

September 11, 2011 - Although not among the high priority issues that ordinarily preoccupy members of the Galt Mile Community Association (GMCA) Advisory Board, nagging questions about the neighborhood Winn-Dixie surface on a regular basis. Notwithstanding divergent opinions about the store�s service and product lines, raw convenience prompts almost every Galt Mile resident to cruise the aisles on a regular basis.

Commissioner Bruce Roberts

Projects || Property Code || Pilot Laws

From The Desk of
Commissioner Bruce G. Roberts

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