Firewall Ministries fundraising banquet

We attended the "first annual" Firewall Ministries fundraising banquet tonight. The event was well attended and made a good presentation for this ministry, which is so important in the lives of youth living in the Palma Nova Mobile Home Park.

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NOON Today: Special Town Council Meeting

The Davie Town Council at our special Town Council Meeting at Noon, today decided to notify South East Risk Management Association (SERMA) that we will place the Town's property and casualty insurance coverage out for bid.

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Citizen Participation Meeting for Westridge Oaks proposal

Last evening I attended the Citizen Participation Meeting at Robbins Lodge for the Westridge Oaks proposal. This proposed development is located at the northeast corner of Orange Drive and Flamingo Road. The applicant proposes building retail shopping, offices and townhouses on portions of the parcel. A lake, and open space/scenic corridor requirements consume a fair portion of the land.

This meeting was well attended. Citizen participation meetings are an excellent opportunity for residents to learn more about proposed development and to be able to have meaningful input in the planning process.

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Special Town Council Meeting this Friday

The Davie Town Council has a special Town Council Meeting at Noon, this Friday, September 30, 2005, in the Town Council Chambers, to consider the continuation of our relationship with South East Risk Management Association (SERMA) for the Town's Property and Casualty insurance coverage.

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Broward Times expanding presence in Davie

I've had a couple pleasant conversations with Kieth Clayborne, of the Broward Times, which is looking to expand its circulation in Davie. While, obviously, I don't endorse the editorial or political slant of any particular publication, I do welcome all points of view.

[*click* logo to link to Broward Times]

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Labor negotiations ongoing

The Davie Town Council met in executive session tonight to discuss ongoing union negotiations. Union contract discussions are one of only a few exceptions to the generally open meeting laws, required by State law.

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Teen Challenge Dinner

Janet and I attended the annual fundraising banquet for Teen Challenge in Davie. I presented the Town Council Proclamation establishing September 22, 2005 as "Teen Challenge Day" in Davie.

As set out on their web site,

"The Adult Programs are successful in assisting individuals find freedom from addiction, assist in restoring broken relationships and rebuild the individuals self esteem. The research that has been done through the years on the graduates of Teen Challenge suggest as much as 86% of those graduates are living a life free from addiction, are attending church, and are employed..."

"Upon entry into the program, each student is assigned a counselor to provide individual one-on-one guidance and mentoring determined by that students’ particular needs. The proven cure for life-controlling problems is based on the embracing of Biblical principles to spiritually improve the quality of his character."

[*click* logo for more information on Teen Challenge]

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Davie Town Council approves budget/tax issues on final reading

The Davie Town Council approved a few budget/tax items at the second and final reading on Wednesday, September 21, 2005:

1. VOTER APPROVED DEBT SERVICE MILLAGE RATE - A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR VOTER APPROVED DEBT SERVICE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005. This tax rate was decreased slightly. {Approved unanimously}
   
2. MILLAGE RATE - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005. This tax rate was decreased by an only "symbolic" small amount. {Approved unanimously}
   
3. BUDGET - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF DAVIE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006. {Approved by a 4-1 vote} Councilmember Paul voted against the budget and stated we should have cut the budget to allow putting more money into reserves. Frankly I wanted to roll back the tax rate further and had suggested doing so. My suggestion was not met with any support earlier in the budget process. I asked Mrs. Paul to get on board earlier in the budget process next year if she is really interested in cutting the tax rate and/or increasing reserves. The Town Council will have to show more courage in controlling spending and strengthening our tax base too.
   

Overall, I am pleased that for the first time, we are making some small progress toward fiscal responsibility. As mentioned in the Herald article (Sep. 22, 2005)...

Mayor Tom Truex called the tax rate cut ''symbolic,'' but encouraging. He has unsuccessfully proposed tax cuts in previous years, but this year, other council members were willing to listen.

''You have to start somewhere,'' he said. "It is hard when you look at the amount of new revenue we have, it is a little discouraging not to be able to roll back the rate at all.''

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Town Council Meeting Tonight

We finished the regular Town Council Meeting before midnight tonight. Among other things, the Town Council:

• Approved the proposing a new Drive-Thru Teller Building for the Washington Mutual Bank
  in the Shenandoah Square Shopping Center.
  
• Adopted the draft Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for the Town of Davie Comprehensive Plan. This was the culmination of a long, very open, public process.
  

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Davie readys for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Rita

Davie's emergency managment team it at work again, getting the Town and our residents ready for a day of rough weather on Tuesday. Normal government offices will be closed on Tuesday. See the Town's website for more information.

Pending a change in circumstances, the regular Town Council Meeting will take place this Wednesday, as planned.

Photo: Hurricane Rita on Monday night [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Town Council Meeting on September 21, 2005

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, September 21, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. Millage Rates (3.1) and (3.2); and
2. Budget (3.3)
   

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader

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High Tech "Burn Building" Opens at the Broward Fire Academy in Davie

Today, I attended the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Broward Fire Academy and McFatter Technical Center "Burn Building."

This high tech building lets fire academy students practice fire fighting techniques in a safe, controlled environment. The building includes mock kitchens, living rooms and sleeping quarters. Also opportunities to battle fires on rooftops and electrical boxes.

I'm told the School Board spent about 4 million dollars on the building.

[Photo: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 16, 2005 for the dedication of the Broward Fire Academy "Burn Building." Broward School Member, Carole Andrews, holding the sissors. Mayor Tom Truex at far right.]

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Davie continues our fight to get federal assistance for Hurricane victims in Davie

The Town of Davie is continuing our efforts to win our appeal from FEMA and the federal government to provide direct federal assistance to Davie residents who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. I have personally spoken to a number of state and federal lawmakers in an attempt to win relief.

Here are some facts (reported by Town Clerk's office on 9/2/2005):

• Davie properties with significant damage: 100
  
• Davie properties with substantial damage which resulted in displacement of Davie residents from their homes: 54
  

[*click* graphic to link to the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA]

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SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ON THURSDAY, 9-15-2005

A Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Davie will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 6591 Orange Drive, Davie, Florida.

The agenda is:

1. Establish garbage billing for residential customers on property tax bill INSTEAD of being billed monthly or quarterly for some residential customers.
   
2. Setting the new rate for Garbage services (slightly lower for most residential service).
   
3. Finalizing the amount of the next year's Fire Rescue Assessments.
   

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Firewall Ministries' "First Annual" Fund Raising Banquet is on September 30, 2005 at the Signature Grand, in Davie.

Mission Statement:

Firewall Ministries is a community-based, multi-service organization that seeks to enhance the lives of people through programs designed to develop spirit, mind, and body.

Firewall Vision:

To transform our community through a variety of activities and services. These will include sports, community improvement, food and clothing distribution, educational programming, counseling, and substance abuse prevention and intervention.

Firewall Values:

Through a unique approach of-personal involvement and continuous follow-up we build relationships with the people of the targeted community. This enables us to better serve their needs since we treat them as friends and family not a client with a number.

The vision for Firewall Ministry was birthed in March of 2001 when a thirteen year old girl was found dead of a drug overdose in Miramar. At that time, she lived in and was supplied the drugs at what was then the Silver Oaks Mobile Home Park in Davie, now called Palma Nova.

This terrible, but preventable, tragedy demonstrated the glaring need for a community-based program that would assist the residents, and particularly the youth of the area, to focus their time and talents toward more positive activities. These facts led Firewall to the establishment of our current program in March of 2003.

[*click* MORE for information on sponsoring/attending the banquet] =>> More...

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New Bulk Trash Rules (& other Trash talk!)

The new bulk trash rules are out. In general, you can put out all of your bulk trash once a month. Read the rules for the exact details. Here are some questions I've heard from a number of the people (and the answers) regarding your garbage service from Waste Management:

[QUESTION] Why did the Town switch from weekly to monthly bulk trash pickup?
[ANSWER] Unfortunately, when we switched to the new "cart" system, the language in the contract was changed as to what constitutes "bulk trash." Ordinary tree limbs were excluded. Since ordinary tree limbs are the bulk trash most people need picked up most often, we had to fix the contract. Subject to some very generous rules as to size limitations, you can put out tree limbs now. They do not have to be tied or bundled. The process was complicated by advice from the Town Attorney regarding legal considerations arising from the recent franchise bid.

[QUESTION] Why is the total allowed volume of bulk trash less now (15 cubic yards, once a month, rather than 6 cubic yards, four times a month)?
[ANSWER] Most people will not use 15 cubic yards per month for bulk trash. It is a massive amount for most Davie homeowners. Even most people with large properties agreed they could manage with this amount of bulk trash, by managing/scheduling their tree maintenance. Also, commercial tree trimmers are supposed to take away their own waste. The bulk trash in our Town contract is only for homeowners who maintain their own properties. This tradeoff (which will not affect the vast majority of residents) was necessary to get the expanded definition of "bulk trash."

[QUESTION] Is the contract price going up, since Waste Management is picking up more things now?
[ANSWER] No. The price will decrease by a small amount.

[QUESTION] My property tax bill has a line on it for garbage pickup. Is this related to bulk trash? Is this a new tax?
[ANSWER] No, to both questions. Some of the reasons for billing the trash service on the property tax bill for residential customers was discussed on this blOg on August 31, 2005 If you are billed with your property tax, then you will not be billed with a monthly or quarterly statement as you were in the past. (If you DO get double billed, call the Town so we can resolve the problem.)


[*click* photo to open the new rules for monthly bulk trash pickup (PDF file) ]

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441 Plan Approved

The Davie Town Council finally approved the proposal set out by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for the U.S. 441/State Road 7 corridor. Comments from the Town Council clarified the report summary drafted by Town Staff in a couple of important respects:

• We wanted more than the "small percentage of affordable housing" referred to in the Staff summary
  
• We clarified that the numbers for residential density (about 3,000 more residential units) in the staff summary do not appear in the actual report, and are not binding for any future action
  

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"Symbolic" Reduction in Davie Tax Rate

Davie taxpayers won a very small, largely symbolic tax break this year. The Town Council voted to reduce the debt service to from .5211 to .4502 mills (a 13.6% decrease); and to shave a minuscule amount (from 5.1086 to 5.1000 mills) from the ad valorem tax rate. As everyone knows your actual tax bill is increasing, because of skyrocketing property values.

Nonetheless, I have been trying to persuade the Town Council to cut the tax rate ever since I was elected to the Council. Although I had urged a larger cut this year, I voted for the nominal cut, since it is at least a step in the right direction. Rome was not built in a day either.

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SPECIAL MEETING, DAVIE TOWN COUNCIL

A Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Davie will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 6591 Orange Drive, Davie, Florida.

The agenda is:

PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET

Resolution
1. A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR VOTER APPROVED DEBT SERVICE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2006.

Ordinances - First Reading (Second and Final Reading to be held September 21, 2005)
2. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2005, ANI) ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2006.

3. AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF DAVIE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF DAVIE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006.

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New Web Site to Coordinate Davie Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort

This past weekend, Councilmember Susan Starkey met with a group of Davie residents to discuss ways in which Davie can help those in need--locally and nationally--as a result of Hurricane Katrina. They have a new web site to help coordinate our local efforts: DavieHurricaneRelief.org

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Davie's Annual "Labor Day Splash"

Rain didn't stop the annual Labor Day Splash party at Pine Island Pool. A large crowd was on hand for the event--having fun and dodging the occasional rain.

Photo #1: Davie fire truck on display at Davie's annual "Labor Day Splash" at Pine Island Park.

Photo #2: Kids playing on the inflatable slide at the "Labor Day Splash."

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Town Council Agenda is Online

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, September 7, 2005. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. State Road 7 Master Plan: (4.5)
   
2. Naming Davie's new parks: Falcon's Lea Park (4.15); East Davie Nature Park (4.16); Sunny Lake Bird Sanctuary (4.17); Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park (4.18) and Wes Griffin Park (4.19).
   
3. Waste Management Contract Amendment (6.1).
   
4. Mitigation [of Code Violation] Guidelines (8.1).
   
5. Relocation of Town Council Meeting and Planning and Zoning Meeting on a particular matter (9.1) [no backup documentation provided].

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader

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Resident Meeting Held Yesterday With Walmart

Last evening I attended a meeting hosted by Walmart for residents regarding the proposed Super Walmart in Davie. Walmart proposes building the "Super Walmart" at the Northwest corner of University Drive and Orange Drive.

Davie's "Citizen Participation Ordinance" now requires developers to have a series of well documented and well advertised meetings with residents before any proposal can come before official Town boards and the Town Council. The idea is to give residents and other affected parties a greater opportunity to participate in the process, early on.

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