Memorial Day Party at the Pisula home

We enjoyed a Memorial Day party with John and Gina Pisula--and quite a few of their friends--on 136th Avenue in Davie.

Photo: John Pisula, Great American and great cook! [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Town Council, this Wednesday, June 1, 2005

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, June 1, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items:

6.3 CAPITAL PROJECTS. Adoption of a new five year Capital Project Program for the Town of Davie, for Fiscal Years 2006-2010.

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Archive Photo of the Week: "Desert Rose" in the Mayor's Back Yard

The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum ) is a spectacular little plant which does not require a lot of work. Our potted plant did very well for years with next to no maintenance. I moved it recently since a big oak tree was casting a little too much shade on it. The desert rose requires lots of sun and good drainage. My mother-in-law says dumping sour milk on the plant occasionally will help. (I've never personally tested the theory, as our kids always drink the milk long before it has a chance to go sour!)

Photo: Desert Rose in the Mayor's back yard. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Memorial Day Ceremony Scheduled for Monday, May 30, 2005

The Davie Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 30, 2005 at 11:00 AM, at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4271 Davie Road.

The Scoutmasters Camporee Committee and the Town of Davie invite the public to attend the 25th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. This ceremony is a very moving tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in military service for the United States.

One hundred and forty two years ago, President Abraham Lincoln gave a short speech at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg. It was at the site of the great battle of the Civil War. President Lincoln said that day the world could never forget what those soldiers sacrificed for that time. If you go to Gettysburg today, you'll see reminders of those soldiers carved in massive stone monuments. Just like you'll see monuments to other soldiers and other wars if you have the time and inclination to travel around the country looking for them

Our Memorial Day tribute is not carved in stone, nor cast in bronze, nor fashioned from steel and concrete. Our tribute is crafted in flesh and blood-–spoken in memory of the heros who gave their lives in defense of America.

America is the greatest nation in the world. What makes America great are the freedoms we enjoy: Freedom of speech and religion; Freedom of individual citizens to bear arms; freedom from unreasonable searches; due process of law. These are natural rights given by God Almighty, and recorded in the Constitutions of the United States of America and the Sovereign State of Florida

Freedom never comes cheap. Every generation of Americans has seen its freedoms threatened. Every generation has responded, when necessary on the battlefield. We will have veterans at our Memorial Day ceremony who fought alongside the soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom in far flung places in the Pacific, Europe, Korea, Vietnam, Middle East, Afghanistan, and Iraq. We will remember also the soldiers who died before those of us alive today were born--in places like Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Cuba and France.

Some of our country's soldiers lie in new graves–our memories of them are fresh-–painful and raw. Our memories of the lives and faces of other soldiers who died long ago in far away places grow faint. Some are forgotten altogether except where their names are carved in marble or granite. Sometimes those names are carved in grand memorials; sometimes they're scratched in lonely tombstones in thousands of cemeteries in this country and abroad.

Those of us who gather on Memorial Day will be few in number; but will be firm in resolve. We will never forget the legacy of freedom which we enjoy only because of those who paid for it with their lives. We will neither forget nor take for granted a single human life, laid down for our freedom

We will never surrender the freedom which was defended by so many at such a cost-–not in our generation. Not ever!

Photo: Memorial Day card from the early 1900's [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Haitian-American activist, Lucy Orlando and Mayor Tom Truex

I spoke to a friend and respected Haitian-American activist, Lucy Orlando, last weekend. We saw each other at an event which honored the memory of one of our greatest US Presidents--who emancipated the slaves and kept the Union intact--Abraham Lincoln.

Photo: Lucy Orlando and Mayor Tom Truex [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Town of Davie meets with Pine Island Ridge Annexation Committee

The Town of Davie and the Pine Island Ridge Annexation Committee held a very friendly and productive meeting on May 23, 2005. Pine Island Ridge (now in unincorporated Broward County) will vote in March 2006 on whether or not they will annex into Davie. However, given the overwhelming support for the concept on the recent non-binding "straw ballot," a positive vote seems assured. The annexation will become effective in the fall of 2006.

At the meeting we discussed details of the Annexation Agreement. It covers issues such as future road maintenance, and the level of services. In general the Town Council commits to providing the same general level of services for areas being annexed, as we provide to existing residents.

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Representative Marco Rubio

I had an opportunity to hear the next Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Marco Rubio, speak. We exchanged a few words afterward. Representative Rubio cares deeply about all residents of Florida. He's committed to continuing the fiscally sound policies which have brought Florida economic growth and jobs.

Photo, from left: Janet Truex, Representative Marco Rubio, and Mayor Tom Truex [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Soref Jewish Community Center Benefit

We attended a fund raising dinner last evening to benefit the Soref Jewish Community Center. The event raises funds for the Soref JCC W.E.C.A.R.E. programs, and scholarships for their camp and after school programs. The Soreff JCC describes "W.E.C.A.R.E." as a "community outreach program which operates a food pantry that provides over 2500 bags of groceries each year to our neighbors in need regardless of race, religion, age, gender or nationality. This includes holiday food packages for Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Thanksgiving, and Passover. "

Soref JCC Mission Statement: A non-profit organization which contributes to the welfare of the entire community by providing a Center for cultural, educational, recreational and social services, while continuing to preserve Jewish tradition and values. [*click* logo to go to the Soref JCC web site]

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Archive Photo of the Week: "Cecile Brunner" Rose in the Mayor's Back Yard.

I used to spend a lot of time taking care of my roses. Some varieties simply demand a lot of time and effort if you want them to grow in South Florida. Now I don't have the free time to tend them, nor the inclination to use the amount of fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides I used to employ. Result: the less hardy varieties died. Some of the hardier varieties (still very pretty) thrive without a lot of fuss. And, skipping the toxic yard chemicals is better for the environment. We have a huge assortment of butterflies in the yard, which thrive in this habitat.

Photo: Cecile Brunner Rose. This is an antique rose variety with a small flower. I took this photo within the past week. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Crawfish Fest

My family attended the 13th annual crawfish fest, hosted by Mike and Patty Holderfield. The "fest" itself was great fun, although I wouldn't actually eat a crawfish on a dare.

Photo: Davie resident, Mike Holderfield, and Mayor Tom Truex pose with live crawfish. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Coffee Plantation News Conference

Wagon Wheel Coffee Roaster and the Town of Davie are hosting a news conference today relating to the establishment of the first commercial coffee plantation in North America--right here in Davie, Florida! J.C. Nadeau, Wagon Wheel founder, and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Charles H. Bronson , will join Town officials at the news conference, to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Town Hall.

Photo: *click* for link to Wagon Wheel Web Site

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Meeting Regarding Commons Project

I attended a recent meeting hosted by the "Commons"--a proposed business development in far western Davie--with neighboring residents. Those in attendance pretty much filled the Western High School Auditorium. The matter will come before the Local Planning Agency (composed of the Planning and Zoning Board Members), and later, the Town Council in late Summer or Fall of this year.

Photo: Meeting at Western High School. Officers for Highland Ranches Homeowners Associations are on the stage, above the drawings and charts. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Town Council Considers Plan for US 441 Corridor

The Davie Town Council heard a presentation last evening (05-16-2005) from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council on a proposed Master Plan for the State Road 7 (U.S. 441) corridor. In Davie, State Road 7 runs generally along the easter edge of the Town of Davie, from I-595 to just North of the Seminole casino, North of Stirling Road. The draft of the plan summary is about a hundred pages long. The proposals are far reaching and long term. If implemented, they will transform an under utilized industrial area into mixed use Industrial/Commercial/Transportation/Residential. Frankly, the obstacles are considerable--including coordinating, and motivating hundreds of private property owners to buy into the plan. I enthusiastically support moving forward with the study, although feasibility and not eroding our tax base are two of my primary concerns.

Photo: Cover page from the State Road 7 (U.S. 441) Master Plan Corridor Proposal [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Town Council Meeting this Wednesday

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items:

Item 3.7 - Boy Scout Memorial Day Ceremony. This item relates to waiver of arena fees for the annual Boy Scout Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30, 2005. Memorial Day is always an important day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. It is especially important this year, during a time of war.

Item 5.1 - An Ordinance prohibiting sex offenders convicted under certain Florida Statutes from living within 2500 feet of specified locations (schools, playgrounds, school bus stops, etc.) within the Town of Davie

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Photo Archive of the Week: a Night Blooming Cactus

You have to pay attention, or you will miss this flower altogether. This cactus bloom opens for a single night. It folds back up, soon after dawn. It's well worth the wait, so long as you don't sleep late (I never do!)

Photo: The flower on a large night blooming cactus in the Mayor's back yard [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Ad Valorem Tax and the Town of Davie Budget

Most people know that a good portion of the Town of Davie's budget (LARGE PDF file) comes from your property taxes. But actually, as the chart shows, only about a third of the General Fund revenue comes from ad valorem property tax.

I've started reviewing the Finance Department's Six Month Review of Estimated Revenues and Appropriations for fiscal year 2005. Staff describes it as "fiscally snug."

Photo: Graph showing source of General Town Revenues for fiscal year 2005. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Spanish Honor Society ceremony at Hollywood Hills High School

I had the great honor of speaking at the Induction Ceremony for new members of the Spanish Honor Society at Hollywood Hills High School. A number of Davie residents attend HHHS.

Speaking Spanish is increasingly important to all residents of South Florida. The new members of the Spanish Honor Society are making a commitment toward excellence in mastering the Spanish language.

Photo: Mayor Truex with officers from the Hollywood Hills High School Spanish Honor Society. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Miller Legg 40th Year Celebration

Several other Town Council Members joined me in attending the Miller Legg 40th Year Celebration.

Miller Legg is a consulting firm that does engineering, planning, surveying, and other professional services. They also contribute a lot to the community through the many civic and charitable causes they support. Congratulations, Miller Legg!

Photo: New Miller Legg Logo

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Scenic country road in Davie

If you think this is a picture of a scenic country road in western Davie, you would be half right. It IS a scenic country road -- but it is 61st Avenue, in eastern Davie. As Mayor, I have spent a lot of time trying to learn as much as I can about every section of Davie. It's a huge task. It seems as though every corner of Town has it's own character. Davie's diversity is one thing which makes our community great.

Sometimes I hear people try to generalize about east Davie or west Davie. Those stereotypes are actually the next best thing to useless. Getting to know individual neighborhoods takes time and commitment.

If you would like to show me more about your neighborhood (believe me, I would like to learn) please call me or write:

Phone 954-797-1030 (Town Hall) or email

Photo: We were biking and taking pictures again this weekend. This photo is on 61st Avenue, south of Griffin Road, looking South. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Chad Bishop is Davie's "Officer of the Year"

Officer Chad Bishop received the highest officer recognition to an individual police officer at the recent Davie Police Department Annual Awards Ceremony.

In October, Officer Chad Bishop responded to a report of a traffic crash involving a vehicle going into a canal. Upon his arrival he observed a car upside down in the canal in approximately four to five feet of water. With the possibility of a person trapped in the car, Officer Bishop jumped into the water to conduct a rescue of any occupants. He managed to locate the single occupant of the vehicle and pulled him out of the submerged vehicle. With the assistance of Davie Fire Rescue personnel he assisted in getting the victim onto a back board so that resuscitation efforts could be performed. Officer Bishops's courageous performance to duty in the pursuit of saving lives at the risk of his own personal safety should be commended.

Photo: Officer Chad Bishop (blue shirt in the middle of photo) of the Davie Police Department, receives the Officer of the Year Award from Davie Police Chief John George. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Archive photo of the week: a rural landscape

There is a lot to be said for open space. People who have it sometimes take it for granted. People who don't have it will spend millions of dollars to get a little bit of it.

Some parts of Davie are semi-rural. All parts of Davie are at least semi-urban. We have a huge challenge in preserving the semi-rural character of Davie.

Photo: This abandoned farmhouse and barn are on the farm where my aunt and uncle live in Northern Indiana. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Prayer Breakfast

Thursday was the National Day of Prayer. Councilwoman Susan Starkey and I represented the Town of Davie at the Southwest Broward Christian Fellowship, 7th Annual Prayer Breakfast.

Photo: Speaking Hands has "worked tirelessly to shed light on the plight of thousands of hearing impaired individuals by bringing Gospel music accompanied by a very animated usage of American Sign Language to hearing audiences throughout the United States of America." [*click* photo to enlarge]

More...

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Davie Town Council Meeting runs late (early)

The Davie Town Council worked at an uncharacteristically late meeting on Wednesday night / Thursday morning. We finished after 1 a.m.

For the most part, the time was well spent. We passed on first reading an Ordinance to prohibit certain sexual offenders from residing within 2,500 of schools, parks, public school bus stops, trails and other places where children congregate. In addition, we directed that the Child Safety Board, and School Advisory Board serve as a panel to recommend other action to protect Davie's children from sexual offenders.

Regrettably I was unable to garner sufficient votes to defeat an application to build numerous homes zoned for one unit per acre on lots which are less than one-half acre in size! The plan was tabled for more research into the particulars of an alternate proposal which permits many (but not as many) sub-code sized parcels. I always keep an open mind on development applications until after the public hearing, but it is difficult to reverse the harm done when we fail to enforce the standards set by our own Land Development Code. The first deviation from code seems extreme. Succeeding variations from standards always are looked at as more of a matter of fairness. How do you grant exceptions for one developer and not another?

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Guns and Hoses Golf Tournament on May 31, 2005

The "Guns and Hoses Golf Tournament" will be held on May 31, 2005 at the Grand Oaks Country Club. Proceeds will benefit the Davie Police and Firefighter Memorial , which will be built outside the Multipurpose Center at Pine Island Park in Davie.

The Town of Davie Police and Fire Rescue Departments are building a bronze statue that captures all the pride and confidence, decency and determination that we see daily in our police and fire personnel. The statue will be called “Davie Protectors” and will honor not only those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to those who have served honorably, who do so now, and who will do so in the future for our community.

For more information about the Memorial or the tournament, contact Davie Town Councilwoman, Susan Starkey (954-797-1030).

Photo: Artist's drawing of Davie's proposed Police and Firefighter Memorial, "Davie Protectors."

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Recommendations to Protect Davie Children from Sexual Predators

UPDATE: I am proposing a package of measures to address the threat of sexual predators in Davie.

Summary: Last week a Davie child was the target of an attempted abduction. Fortunately that attempt was unsuccessful. We know that dangerous sexual predators live in our Town. Davie needs to immediately take all reasonable and lawful action to protect our children from these dangerous offenders.

I have requested that the Town Council address this issue at our May 4, 2005 meeting.

My proposal (PDF file) has three main components:

1. Enact legislation for prohibition of sex offenders convicted under certain crimes under Florida Statutes from living within 2,500 feet of specified locations (schools, designated public school bus stops, day care centers, parks, playgrounds, etc.) in Davie.
   
2. Information: dissemination of information from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), including posting of flyers in parks and other public places.
   
3. Creation of a Blue Ribbon Panel to make further recommendations to the Town Council within 120 days.
   

Additional Resource: NISMART-2 (PDF file), October 2002. Nonfamily Abducted Children: National Estimates and Characteristics (U.S. Department of Justice)

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Davie Town Council Meeting this Wednesday

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items:

4.5. Grant: Davie is seeking a $685,000 federal appropriation from the EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grant Program for planning and design of a new water plant.

4.23. Site Plan: Admiral’s Boys & Girls Club, 6500 Nova Drive

6.2. Bond Referendum - an ordinance of the Town of Davie, Florida authorizing the Davie Town Council to submit to the vote of the residents of Davie by referendum, a measure authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds not to exceed $25,000,000.00 for the purpose of preserving open space, protecting natural acres from over-development, preserving and improving wildlife habitat, preserving the water quality of water bodies within the Town of Davie, the construction and maintenance of parks and the completion of the Town of Davie's recreational trail system.

6.7. VARIANCE: Home Dynamics Corporation, 4621 SW 58 Avenue wants a variance(s) to reduce the minimum lot area from 35,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. The developer is proposing that 85% of the lots would be 20,000 to 25,000 in size. This property is Residential One Dwelling Unit Per Acre on the Future Land Use Plan Map.

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Davie Town Council meets to discuss sports program

A few months ago, we heard a suggestion that the Davie Town Council consider an alternative to our existing sports programs. Many municipalities have a volunteer run and managed sports program. The idea was promoted as a way to better serve our residents, while saving money on the cost of several Town staff positions which are now necessary to run the system. I didn't know much about the alternatives, but I thought it was reasonable to find our more information.

The Davie Town Council met recently with parents of children who play in Davie's sports and recreations programs--and other interested parties. There was a very large turnout at the meeting. About 700 people signed a petition asking that the existing program remain intact. The people who spoke made two things very clear:

1. They do NOT want to go to a volunteer managed program like the Optimists

2. They are extremely pleased with the caliber of our facilities, our programs, and the staff who run them.

Personally, I'm convinced, it would be a bad idea to drastically change the program we have in place. And, as a result of this meeting, I am quite certain there will be no attempts to fiddle with the status quo in the foreseeable future. That is, based on the comments by Town Council members, I predict no change in the overall structure of Davie's sports program.

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