Mayor Tom Truex Meeting Residents in United Ranches Door-to-Door

This past weekend I had an opportunity to visit dozens of residents in United Ranches to discuss questions and issues relating to the annexation vote in June. Meeting people while traveling through the neighborhood is a great way to get at the individual issues and concerns people have. The Town of Davie believes United Ranches and Davie have so much in common with our semi-rural lifestyle. I am encouraged by the high level of support for annexing into Davie, but we will continue to get the word out (and dispel the unfortunate/untrue rumors). Davie is prepared to provide the necessary municipal service when needed--but we have a history of keeping government out of people's lives when not needed or requested. I strongly urge all United Ranches residents to vote to join Davie. Residents who wish to discuss the matter with me should email me or call me at Town Hall (954-797-1030).

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex, traveling in United Ranches [*click* photo to enlarge]

Boy Scouts Hold Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Davie

The Boy Scouts of America conducted the annual parade and arena ceremony today. Honoring the soldiers who gave their lives for freedom is an important and necessary part of living in a free nation.

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex speaking at Davie's Memorial Day observance at the rodeo arena [*click* photo to enlarge]

Video Clip: A portion of the remarks by Mayor Tom Truex [*click* camcorder icon at left for a 66 second video clip ( 2.1 MB in WMV format). Broadband connection is hightly recommended. A media player such as the Windows Media Player or WINAMP is also required.]

University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Opens Windstorm Damage Mitigation Training and Demonstration Center in Davie

Today I attended the opening ceremony of the University of Florida / Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Windstorm Damage Mitigation Training and Demonstration Center in Davie. Among those speaking were Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek, Sr. Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida and Dr. Van H. Waddill, Serner Center Director, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida.

The Windstorm Damage Mitigation Training & Demonstration Center at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie is part of a series of such centers across Florida. This was begun in 1997 with funding provided by the Department of Financial Services (then called the Department of Insurance).

The Fort Lauderdale [Davie] Research and Education Center has been at the forefront of solving urban problems for over 50 years With this latest addition, users of the training and demonstration center will gain knowledge of the products, materials and techniques available to mitigate damage from high winds and termites m new construction or by retrofitting existing structures.

An exhibit area for showing products and materials, a reference/conference room for research and meetings, and print materials are located in the training and demonstration center The information available applies to single family residential, duplex and small commercial buildings

A training room with a 40-person capacity is also part of the center An exterior wall of the training room was built using three different methods: "typical" wood frame construction; "typical" concrete block construction; and an alternative insulated concrete-form building system

The anticipated audiences to be served by the displays and the educational programs at the center include: designers, architects, home designers, builders, building tradesmen, inspectors, building material suppliers, real estate agents, property appraisers, insurers, mortgage lenders, home improvement contractors, and the general public

The Windstorm Damage Mitigation Training & Demonstration Center will serve communities in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties


Photo: UF/IFAS Hurricane House, Above Satellite Image.

Mystery Photo of the Week--"Davie Bells."

Do you know where these bells are located? Hint: they are on property owed by the Town of Davie.

Click "MORE" for the answer.

Photo: Mystery Photo of the Week. [*click* photo to enlarge] More...

Forensic Auditors Deliver Preliminary Report to Town of Davie

Last week, Davie's forensic auditor's presented their preliminary report to the Davie Town Council. The report from the firm of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. identified a number of "specific areas with a high level of vulnerability to fraud, waste and abuse," and corresponding recommendations. The Town Council agreed to retain this firm for the second, more in depth phase, of the forensic audit.

Unfortunately, leaders in government and private industry often try to cover up past mistakes. That is NOT the case in Davie. We are taking extraordinary steps to identify and correct problems in Town Hall. No stone is being left unturned. Therefore, I am not surprised by the preliminary findings of our forensic auditors. I knew we had problems with controls (lack of) in some key areas. That's why the Town Council insisted on moving forward with the forensic audit. Finding the problems from the past is the first step in fixing those problems.

Although it is too soon to say the extent to which bad procedures lead to actual wrongdoing, I believe most of our Town employees are honest and hardworking. My goal is to insure our Town's financial controls and procedures are a model of good government when we are finished with the process.

Mayor meets with citizen group in Forest Ridge.

Yesterday, Janet and I attended a party with a group of about 50 residents in Forest Ridge in Davie. The goal of this group is to support our troops overseas, and to bring better government to us here in Davie and Broward County.

Photo: From left, Event hostess, Melissa Nolen; Mayor Tom Truex and Janet Truex. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Mayor Tom Truex Meets with Students on Field Trip from Gloria Dei Lutheran Academy.

Last Friday I met with a group of bright Middle School students from Gloria Dei Lutheran Academy. After touring Town Hall, the students came to the Town Council Chambers for a discussion of our system of government--including local municipal government.

Photo: Students from Gloria Dei Academy meet with Mayor Tom Truex in the Davie Town Council Chambers. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Bright Beginnings Preschool Graduation.

Today I greeted parents at the Bright Beginnings Preschool Graduation at Davie United Methodist Church. This preschool is a great preschool environment for local children. The school has won Broward County's prestigious "Gold Seal Award" for a decade.

D.A.R.E. Graduation at Flamingo Elementary School.

Recently i attended the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) graduation at Flamingo Elementary.

Photo: Flamingo Elementary

County EMS Competition in Davie.

This week I had the honor of extending greetings from the the Town of Davie to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams from across Broward County. They were here to compete in the annual EMS Competition. The competition site changes every year, with this year's competition being held in Davie's rodeo arena.

The competition consists of each team reacting to a scenario, and being graded by experts in the field (including emergency room physicians). The scenarios are challenging, with this year's event featuring more simultaneous victims than EMS personnel; and a fight in the bleachers.

Photo: Davie's EMS Team in action at the County EMS Competition. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Video Clip: Davie EMS Team. [*click* camcorder icon at left for a 30 second video clip (2.8 MB in WMV format). Broadband connection is highly recommended. A media player such as the Windows Media Player or WINAMP is also required.]

The Agenda for the May 17, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on May 17, 2006. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Forensic Auditor, preliminary report. (Agenda Item 3.2).
   
2. Regional Activity Center, report. (Agenda Item 3.3).
   
3. Purchase of 84 Laptop Computers from Dell. (Agenda Item 4.3).
   
4. Collective Bargaining Agreement, FOP, General Employees. (Agenda Item 4.5).
   
5. Proposed Waiver of Scenic Corridor Requirements. Westridge Project, 4450 Flamingo Road. (Agenda Item 4.7).
   
6. Plat: Westridge Project. Location: 4450 South Flamingo Road (Agenda Item 4.14).
   
7. Rezoning/Flex Units: Westridge Oaks. Request to change AG (agricultural) to B2 (Community Business), R-1 Estate Residential, and RM-5 (residential 5 units per acre) with 44 residential units. (Agenda Item 6.3).
   
8. Variance. Westridge Project. Proposal to increase allowed building height from 35 to 50 feet; max building size from 40,000 to 60,000 square feet, etc... (Agenda Item 6.4).
   
9. Discussion of noise from Seminole Hard Rock Casino. (Agenda Item 8.1).
   
10. School Board Selection Site. (Agenda Item 9.1).

New Family Ministry Opens on Davie Road

Last Saturday I attended the ribbon cutting and official opening of "Kingdom's Court", a Ministry of First Baptist Church, Davie. Sr. Pastor, James Cox, explained that the center, located across the street from the rodeo arena entrance on Davie Road, will provide family counseling, job assistance and other services to area residents.

Photo: First Baptist Church Opens Family Center on Davie Road [*click* photo to enlarge]

Broward County School's "Peace Ranger" Program in Davie

The Broward County Schools recently held it's Peace Ranger program in Davie, at the Rodeo Arena. I participated in the program, together with other Town and County Officials--and about 1,000 school children from across Broward County.

"The Gopher Peace and Peace Rangers Program is designed to promote peace and positive human relations among students in grades K-5. Peace Rangers actively promote peace in their schools. Program components include: character building, self-esteem, acceptance, self-discipline, compassion, anti-bullying, civil responsibility, social competence and the principles of nonviolence. Gopher Peace is a storybook character and the Peace Rangers Mascot." [source: Broward County School Board]

Photo: Davie Police Chief, John George, speaking to children at the Broward County Schools' "Peace Ranger" program in Davie's rodeo arena. That's "McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog" behind the Chief. [*click* photo to enlarge]

D.A.R.E. graduation at Parkway Christian Elementary School in Davie

Today I attended the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program at Parkway Christian Elementary School at 1200 S. Flamingo Road in Davie. The Town of Davie makes the DARE program available to as many private and public school fifth graders as possible. I believe this program is one of the Town's best long term investments.

From the DARE website:

"The primary goals of the curricula are to prevent the use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs and inhalants, as well as the occurrence of violence in the lives of these students."

Law Enforcement Memorial Service

Last week I had the honor of representing the Town of Davie at the Broward County Law Enforcement Memorial Service. This annual service is held at a different municipality each year. The impressive program included multiple honor guards, bagpipes, motorcycle parade, helicopter flyover, and 21 gun salute. Chief George and I were on the program since Davie was the host Town in 2006.

From Chief George's message:

"Welcome to the Law Enforcement Memorial Day Ceremony and thank you for attending. This day is a somber day as we remember our fallen comrades. Today has been designated as Peace Officer s Memorial Day by the Town of Davie, in honor of each and every law enforcement officer that has given their life in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers are often taken for granted for the selfless dedication they give to each of our communities on a daily basis. We have pledged this day to remember each of these officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of their life while serving the communities they are sworn to protect. We shall never forget the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf."

John A. George
Chief of Police
Davie Police Department

Dedication of Dean Alexander Community Room at Pine Island Park

Photo: Dean Alexander [*click* photo to enlarge]

Last week we dedicated and renamed the Dimitry "Dean" Alexander Community Room in the Multipurpose Building at Pine Island Park. Dean, who passed away last February, played a big role in Davie during the last decade. Dean was an amazing man, a community resource, and a friend.

Dean was a resident of the Town of Davie since 1976. He was active in the community, serving on various boards that included the Charter Review Board, the Davie Water Advisory Board, Unsafe Structure Board, Child Safety Board, and was the first Senior Program Advisory Committee President where he helped officials organize a free bus route for the elderly to the community center and to local shopping areas. He entertained others by playing the Goya Guitar and the community center’s Baby Grand Piano. One of Dean’s proudest achievements came last year with the publication of his book entitled "Cue the Elephants," a nostalgic stroll through a half century of television to the present; an autobiographical memoir of his life among notables and celebrities.


Photo: Dean taking a break behind the camera (circa 1960). [*click* photo to enlarge]

Sheridan House Ministries Under Construction on Flamingo Road.

This past Saturday I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Sheridan House Ministries on Flamingo Road in Davie. Actually, the project has moved so well, that they are now well beyond the groundbreaking stage. In fact, quite a few walls have gone up already.

"THE NEED" (from Sheridan House brochure): "It's no secret that families need help today. The help traditionally offered has been reactive rather than proactive. It's time to start helping families before disaster strikes... before the child of a single parent household has reached the point of needing to be in residential care. It's time to start helping families before their household spins totally out of control. It's time to help couples before the word "divorce" is used to punctuate arguments. It's time to offer a "one stop" family hospital... a place where families can get help before the situation is terminal. It's time to offer many forms of family help in one location, helping families avoid the frustration of being turned away. That's what the new Sheridan House Family Resource Center is all about: a place that will help change the way America looks at helping families. A place where we can jump into the lives of families with a multi-faceted ministry that will offer help and training for families at the earliest signs of a problem. A campus to train parents at both ends of the spectrum, before they need help or before they give up."

Photo: From left: Dennis DaCosta, Councilwoman Susan Starkey, Mayor Tom Truex, Pastor Bob Barnes. [*click* photo to enlarge]


Photo: Mayor Tom Truex, just before offering the closing prayer for the gathering at the new site for Sheridan House Ministries. This was the day that the preachers gave speeches and the politician prayed. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Davie Prayer Breakfast

Yesterday, I participated in Davie's annual Prayer Breakfast at the the Signature Grand in Davie. The event was sold out again this year, with several hundred in attendance.

Photo: Linda Owen, Prayer Breakfast Committee Leader (left); Mayor Tom Truex; and Rev. John Barham of New Horizon Methodist Church (left). [*click* photo to enlarge]



Photo: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Choir singing "Good Bless America" [*click* photo to enlarge]

Soref Jewish Community Center, Humanitarian of the Year Dinner

Recenty we attended the annual fund raising dinner 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. "

State Representative, Ron Greenstein, and Nova Southeastern President, Ray Ferrero, were honored as Humanitarians of the Year.

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]

Massage Envy Franchise in Davie has Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting.

Recently I attended the grand opening for the new Massage Envy franchise in Davie. The new Massage Envy is located in the Tower Shops on University Drive, just south of I-595. The Grand opening, promoted by the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce was well attended.

From the Massage Envy website... "The benefit of a therapeutic massage comes from the purpose of the massage. It can rid your body of life’s every day stresses, reduce muscle pain, help alleviate the discomfort of certain ailments, or just help restore balance to your body and mind, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and helping you maintain a life of wellness and good health."

Photo: Ribbon Cutting at Massage Envy, in Tower Shops in Davie. [*click* photo to enlarge]

The Agenda for the May 03, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on May 03, 2006. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Memorial Day Parade - Boy Scouts of America. The annual Memorial Day Parade this year is on May 29, 2006. It will start at Nova Elementary School on Davie Road, and end at the rodeo arena. A special Memorial Day Service follows in the arena. (Agenda Item 4.4).
   
2. PLAT: Lorson Estates, 1275 SW 130 Avenue. (Agenda Item 4.5).
   
3. PIGGYBACK BID: Laptop computers for Police Department. Purchase of 44 laptop computers, plus accessories, from Dell Computers at a cost of $73,757.96. (Agenda Item 4.19).
   
4. Site Plan: Lorson Estates. This revised site plan, at 1275 SW 130 Avenue proposes 9 homes on 4.37 acres. (Agenda Item 4.23).
   
5. Rezoning: Lorson Estates. Proposed rezoning to R-4 of 4.37 acres (the backup material on the Town's web site may reflect the original request of R-5; which the applicant changed to reflect fewer homes in the new proposal). The land use category is 5 dwelling units per acre. (Agenda Item 6.4).
   
6. OLD BUSINESS: Community Chest. This is a discussion item for the creation of a Davie Community Chest. Personally, I would instead prefer the approach of standardizing charity requests for local grants. A Community Chest is sometimes seen as a way to get local government out of helping the less fortunate or needy members of our community. To the contrary, that's an important part of why government exists! (Agenda Item 8.1).

Broward Symphonic Band Spring Concert

The Broward Symphonic Band performed recently in Bailey Concert Hall at Broward Community College. Davie Resident, Luke Sobiechowski, performed a tuba solo in Tuba Tiger Rag.

Photo, from front/right to rear/left: Tuba soloist, Luke Sobiechowski, Driftwood Middle School Band Teacher, Paul Morton (tuba), Jim Olczak (tenor saxaphone) and Angie Truex (tenor saxaphone). [*click* photo for a short Video Clip (WMV format) or *click* here for a 4 minute audio clip (MP3 format)]