Podcast Number 15 is online. Mayor Tom Truex Discusses Affordable Housing

Podcast Number 15: Mayor Truex discusses affordable Housing in general, but more particularly in Davie, along the US 441 Corridor. This podcast was recorded as part of an interview by Davie Public Information Officer, Braulio Rosa.

Workshop Meeting on Davie's Captial Budget Set for This Thursday, June 29, 2006.

Davie's Town Council will hold a workshop meeting on our Capital Budget this Thursday. The Captial Budget often doesn't generate a lot of excitement because it deals with projects which may not be built for a few years in the future. Actually, the Capital Budget is so important because it is a roadmap for Davie's future a few years out.

One item I hope to discuss is the future of Davie's Town Hall. When I was first elected to the Town Council in 2001, I was instrumental in helping to derail the multi-million dollar plan to build a new Town Hall. In my view, times have changed. Davie has more options now (including funding and land for potential sites) which make me think it is time to start thinking about relocating Town Hall to a prominant landmark position, as part of the revitalization of Davie's traditional downtown area on Davie Road, near the rodeo arena.

District 2 Meeting on Open Space Bond

This evening I attended the community meeting to discuss use of Davie's open space bond in District 2. According to the language of the bond, approximately one fourth of the $25 million bond will be spent in each of the four Town Council Districts ($6,250,000.00 per district). Tonight's meeting was very productive, as residents discussed the merits of various potential sites for purchase, and the improvement of existing parks and open space parcels.

The next step will be for the Town to determine which parcels are available for voluntary purchase, and then evaluate and rank each site.

Broward Days Holds Legislative Wrapup.

This evening I attended the Broward Days Legislative wrapup in Ft. Lauderdale. State Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff gave a comprehensive report on this year's legislative session, followed by the minority party's rebuttal, from Representative Eleanor Sobel.

"Broward Days is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan group of people advocating for diverse needs and concerns of Broward County, Florida. Providing another venue for the citizenry, it focuses on the state legislature, conducts five receptions and two workshops in Broward County, culminating in an annual two-day legislative issues forum for the state in Tallahassee, Florida. Broward Days is one of the largest and most diverse organizations of its kind, with over 600 actively involved participants and sponsors serving as a voice for concerns of Broward County."

Photo: Representative Eleanor Sobel and Broward Days Chairman, John Pisula.

Mayor Tom Truex Greets President Bush in Ft. Lauderdale.

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining several other local officials in greeting President George W. Bush at the Airport, as he visted Broward County.

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex shaking hands with President Bush, as Ft. Lauderdale Mayor, Jim Naugle (center) looks on. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Davie's Big Annual Independance Day Celebration Will Be At Pine Island Park Again This Fourth of July

Davie's Annual Independence Day Splash, Market, Craft and Fireworks Show will take place at our Pine Island Park again this 4th of July. Activities include...

Daytime Activities:
(Pine Island Aquatic Center, activities subject to change)

10:00 a.m.

Free Swim Party
Green Market
Arts & Crafts Show
Military Display

11:30am

Fun Foam Spray w/ Davie Fire Dept.

Noon

Davie Police with McGruff
Exotic Animals
Petting Farm
Bounce House (free)
Giant Slide (free)
Pony Rides (at cost)

FREE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT ALL AFTERNOON!!!

5:00pm

Children's Movies

Evening Activities:
(Ball Field #2, activities subject to change)

6:30pm

99.9 Country KISS Displays & Fun
Country Music by "Shadow Creek"
Bounce Houses & Climbing Wall
Hayrides
Food Concession (at cost)
Face Painting (at cost)
Pony Rides (at cost)
Cake for all Residents (while supplies last)

Broadview Park Civic Association Celebrates 50 Years

Last week I attended the 50th anniversary celebration and meeting of the Broadview Park Civic Association. Broadview Park is Davie's neighbor--almost touching Davie on the northeast corner, if you jump across I-595 and the New River. It is possible they may be annexed into Davie in the future, although details are not resolved.

The Civic association had on display many of their newsletters, The Bee, dating back to 1956.

Governor Jeb Bush Signs A++ Initiatives Into Law at McFatter Technical Center in Davie

Last week I attended the bill signing of Florida's new A++ Initiatives into law at McFatter Technical Center, in Davie. Continuing his commitment to excellence, and accountability, in education, Governor Bush supported this law, which implements lots of common sense ideas with innovative concepts.

"The new policies provide students a more rigorous and relevant high school education, better preparing them for postsecondary education and the workforce."

Photo: Governor Jeb Bush speaking at McFatter Technical Center in Davie, before signing the A++ Legislation. [*click* photo to enlarge]

The Agenda for the June 07, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on June 07, 2006. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Resolution on School Site. A Resolution of the Town of Davie, Florida, supporting efforts of the School Board and the Town in collaborating on the location, funding, and construction of school sites along the SR7/441 Corridor in the Town of Davie. (Agenda Item 4.15).
   
2. Master Site Plan, Westridge Oak. Located at northeast corner of Flamingo Road and Orange Drive. The master site plan requests approval of a mixed use office-retail development consisting 61,138 square feet of retail uses, 57,930 square feet of office use and a residential component of 44 townhomes on a total 27.649 acres. There is a wetland mitigation site (1.56 acres) and on site retention pond along the northern property line. (Agenda Item 4.18).
   
3. Forty-four (44) Additional Residential Flex Units, Westridge Oaks. Located at northeast corner of Flamingo Road and Orange Drive. Applicant requests 44 additional "flex" residential units above what would otherwise be allowed on this proposed development. (Agenda Item 6.1).
   
4. Proposed Capital Budget for Fiscal Years 2007-2011. (Agenda Item 6.2).
   
5. Amendment to Land Development Code. The Town Engineering Division has determined that it is necessary to clarify and enhance the infrastructure improvement bond requirement. Specific language must be added or eliminated from the existing text in order to reinforce the Town Land Development requirements. (Agenda Item 6.3).
   
6. An Ordinance Requiring Gas Stations to Install Generators. This Ordinance would require each retail gasoline station located in the Town to be equipped with a back-up power system or alternative pumping system so that each of the gasoline station's fuel pumps may be operated in the event of a power outage. (Agenda Item 6.5).
   
7. Ordinance Increasing Occupational License Rates by 5%. Florida Statute 205.0535(4) provides that local governments may increase the occupational license fees up to 5% every other year. Currently the Town's fees continue to be typically lower than fees that are charged by surrounding cities and by not increasing fees, there would be a long-term impact on the fee structure. (Agenda Item 6.6).

Davie's Arena is Location of Brazilian "Festa Junina"

I was honored to participate in the opening of the "Festa Junina" at Davie's rodeo grounds this past weekend.

The Festa Junina (Portuguese; "June Festival" in English) is annual Brazilian celebration which takes place in the month of June and is most associated with Brazil's Northeast. They are mainly celebrated on key days following the Catholic feast days of Saint Anthony, John the Apostle and Saint Peter.

Organizer, Virgina Gomes, told me Davie is a great location for the festival, since our friendly semi-rural Davie atmosphere coincides nicely with the traditions of her native country, Brazil.

Photo: From left: Mayor Tom Truex; Consul General of Brazil in Miami, Joao Almino; and event organizer, organizer Virginia Gomes [*click* photo to enlarge]

The Road Not Taken [in Davie]?

Though this photo could be The Road Not Taken... turns out it's not. This road gets a fair amount of use. It's the bike path connecting Robbins Lodge Park to Flamingo Gardens.

Photo: The Road Not Taken? [*click* photo to enlarge]