Town of Davie prepares emergency measures for potentially dangerous hurricane

You may have noticed the Town of Davie is beginning the lengthy process of securing the Town's property. We take a conservative view toward hurricanes, such as Wilma, with a general philosophy that it is better to be "too prepared," rather than unprepared for a potentially dangerous hurricane.

Photo: "Vapor Loop" of Hurricane Wilma, October 20, 2005. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Short Town Council Meeting; audit report goes well

The Town Council meeting ended a little after 8 o'clock tonight. We heard the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report from Grau & Company, which confirms we are moving toward timely filings in all respects. When I first became mayor, the audits had been chronically late.

New proposal for Townhouse development on Griffin Road, just west of 76th Avenue

I attended the public first public participation meeting for the proposed development by Centerline Homes, near the intersection of Griffin Road and University Drive. The developer proposes building 109 townhouse units and 10,200 square feet of commercial use on 16.19 acres.

There will be a second public participation meeting. If you are interested in this development proposal, you should attend. You may call Town Hall to find out the time and place.

Habitat for Humanity Dedication last Saturday

I had the honor of attending the dedication for the latest phase of the Habitat for Humanity homes in Davie's Harmoney Village, just west of Davie Road Extension, South of Stirling Road. I expressed a welcome from the Town of Davie and said the invocation.

Habitat for Humanity is an excellent program, supported whole heartedly by the Town of Davie.

[*click* on the logo to go to the web site for Habitat for Humanity in Broward County]

Davie Town Council Meeting on Wednesday October 19, 2005

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2005. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Contract with Limousines of South Florida, Inc. for Bus Transit Services for the Green [East] Route. (4.13)
   
2. Site Plan, Davie Little Ranches, 5595 Orange Drive. (4.20)
   
3. Site Plan, Victoria-Say Plaza, 6651 Stirling Road (4.22)
   
4. Site Plan, B & R Development, 7780 Griffin Road (6.1)
   

Art Opening and Social this Friday at the Old Davie School

"Paintings by Elaine Mattmann" opens this Friday, October 14, 2005, at the Old Davie School . The Art Opening and Social is on Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Refreshments served by Friends of Old Davie School. No charge. The exhibit itself runs from October 14 to November 18, 2005.

The art openings at Old Davie School are always a treat. We enjoy attending them, and plan on attending the one this week. I hope to see you there!

Photo: Old Davie School, on Griffin Road, west of Davie Road [*click* photo to enlarge]

Bob Amchir is honored by Davie's EASE Foundation as Humanitarian of the Year

The 2005 EASE Foundation "Humanitarian of the Year" is Mr. Bob Amchir. He was honored today at noon, at the Signature Grand, in Davie. Bob fits the definition of "humanitarian" in every way. It is an honor to know him. We are extremely fortunate to have him in our community. He has been instrumental in raising money to help sick children and other children in need.

Bob is owner and president of Armor Auto Electric, where he works with both his wife and son. Bob is the president of Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club and every years organizes and hosts the Motorcycle Toy Run in the fall and the South Florida Tattoo Expo in the spring. Mr. Amchir has received awards from COPS, Children's Harbor, the American Association of Philanthropists, Children's Cancer Caring Clinic, and Memorial Hospital. All of these organizations recognized Bob for his fundraising efforts and contributions to their programs.

CONGRATULATIONS BOB!!!

[Photo: Humanitarian of the Year, Bob Amchir (left), pictured with former Humanitarian of the Year, Jimmy Kleinrichert.]

Davie is Awarded a Broward Beautiful grant for improvements at Robbins Lodge

The Town of Davie is the recipient of a $15,000 Broward Beautiful GreenSHADE grant award, providing funds for tree plantings at Robbins Lodge Open Space Preserve.

This grant, provided by the Broward County Commission will help ongoing beautification at one of our premier parks. Davie has been extraordinarily successful in bringing in outside grants in recent years--improving our quality of life, without spending Town taxpayers' money.

[*click* logo for information on Broward Beautiful grants]

... On the Shores of Wolf Lake

By the shore of Gitchie Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
At the doorway of his wigwam,
In the pleasant Summer morning,
Hiawatha stood and waited.
All the air was full of freshness,
All the earth was bright and joyous,
And before him through the sunshine,
Westward toward the neighboring forest
Passed in golden swarms the Ahmo,
Passed the bees, the honey-makers,
Burning, singing in the sunshine.
Bright above him shown the heavens,
Level spread the lake before him;
From its bosom leaped the sturgeon,
Sparkling, flashing in the sunshine;
On its margin the great forest
Stood reflected in the water,
Every tree-top had its shadow,
Motionless beneath the water.
From the brow of Hiawatha
Gone was every trace of sorrow,
As the fog from off the water,
And the mist from off the meadow.
With a smile of joy and triumph,
With a look of exultation,
As of one who in a vision
Sees what is to be, but is not,
Stood and waited Hiawatha.

-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Well, perhaps the shore of Wolf Lake is not quite the shore of Gitchie Gumee. Yet, Davie definitely has some of the prettiest parks and open space anywhere in the county. Preserving and enhancing our natural environment is never easy. It is costly, and time consuming. It creates controversy and debate. Preserving the beauty of our Town is worthwhile and important. We owe it to our Town pioneers. We owe it to future generations of Davie residents.

Photo: A canoe near the shore of Wolf Lake, spotted this past weekend [*click* photo to enlarge]

Davie Mayor works another full time job

I was out of town all day, today. I had the honor of co-teaching a continuing legal education seminar for attorneys in Miami. Working full time in addition to being mayor is sometimes a challenge. Serving as Mayor of Davie tends to be a full time job. But it's definitely a part pay job.

When I was on the Charter Review Board several years ago, the Town Council wanted a pay raise. One of the Council Members at the time said she thought the Council pay should be more in line with the hours spent. I opposed the idea then, and I'm opposed to the concept now. One of the good things about our Town Charter is that it does not encourage full time "employment" on the Town Council. Being retired or not otherwise employed shouldn't disqualify anyone from serving on our Town Council. But having at least some elected officials who work for a living at a real job (like most everyone else) is a very good thing. Davie has a full time Town Administrator and a full time professional staff. We need elected officials who are regular working people, like the residents who we represent.


[*click* on the Mayor's photo to go to his office web site]

Forest Ridge Women's Club

Janet and I were very honored to receive an invitation to attend the annual charity dinner dance by the Forest Ridge Women's Club. I do not know of a more gracious, good hearted group. We attended this event last weekend. It was a wonderful evening for all in attendance.

Short Town Council meeting tonight.

We finished our Town Council meeting in near record time tonight. Out by 9 p.m.! We approved the Site Plan, at Flamingo Ranch Estates, 11900 SW 14 Street (4.11), with some modifications. We also decided to move forward with an idea for a farmer's market for local growers of produce.

New Target Store Opens in Davie

I was honored to represent the Town of Davie at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Target Store on University Drive. As usual, the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce was on hand, in number, to lend support (Target is our newest Chamber of Commerce member).

As you approach the store from the outside, you immediately notice that this is no ordinary Target. Davie's Target store has an upscale look which is above what one expects from an ordinary department store. Target and the shopping center Developer, the Stiles Corporation created a business center of which they can be justifiably proud.

Target has also made a dedicated effort to open employment opportunities to Davie Residents. We welcome Target to Davie, and wish them well. Target's public grand opening takes place in a few days.

Photo: Ribbon cutting at the new Target store on University Drive. You can't see from the photo how many red-shirted employees were actually on hand. The employees were all well trained, helpful and courteous. [*click* photo to enlarge]

photo by Ellen Truex

Davie Town Council Meeting on Wednesday October 5, 2005

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. The Agenda is online.

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

1. BUS TRANSIT SERVICE (4.7)
   
   
2. Site Plan, Flamingo Ranch Estates, 11900 SW 14 Street (4.11)