Davie's Civilian Police Academy

The Davie Police Department will be hosting its 34th Civilian Police Academy. This community relations class is extremely informative and will teach the daily routine of the Police and its functions. Class is nine weeks long and classes will begin on Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 through Tuesday, December 12th, 2006. Hours are from 7 pm to 10 pm (TUESDAYS ONLY). There will be one special class held on a Friday evening as well as the Tuesday class. All classes will be held in the Community Room at the Davie Police Department, 1230 S. Nob Hill Road. The Civilian Police Academy is open to anyone who lives or works in Davie. There is no charge for attending this class. Among some of the topics discussed will be, Firearms Familiarization, Gangs, the Criminal Justice System, DUI Enforcement, Use of Force, Community Oriented Policing, Patrol and Investigation, as well as taking a look at other units within the department. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ride a shift with an officer if they desire. Refreshments will be provided.

* * *For registration and/or additional information call Patti at 954-693-8265.

Bright Star Credit Union Sponsors Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting

Bright Star Credit Union hosted the September Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting.

According to their website:

"BrightStar Credit Union is among the largest Credit Unions in South Florida with assets greater than $250 million. We were originally chartered to serve Broward School Employees and their families.

Who Can Join: Anyone* who lives, works or goes to school in Broward OR Palm Beach Counties, Florida and Family members of anyone eligible by blood, marriage or adoption may join, even though such individuals do not reside in the same household.

Credit Unions are member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives. This is what distinguishes the Credit Union from other financial institutions."

Photo: September Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting [*click* photo to enlarge]

Photo of the Week: Sunrise in Davie

A few days ago I was driving on Orange Drive at sunrise. The sun lined up exactly with the road.

Photo: Sunrise exactly lined up with Orange Drive. [*click* photo to enlarge]

1-2-3 Fit Opens New Location in Davie

Recently I attended the grand opening and ribbon cuting for 1-2-3 Fit, together with a number of business leaders from our Davie-Cooper Chamber of Commerce.

1-2-3 Fit is located at 5810 S. University Drive, #126-127, Davie FL 33328.

According to their website:

"Each station in our 30/30 Circuit™ has 3 zones to choose from depending on your fitness level - simple for those just getting started or challenging for those wanting a more intense workout.

We provide you with 3 personal training sessions, where you receive your orientation to 1-2-3 Fit, fitness overview, and a workout customized just for you."

DAVIE CUTS TAX RATE!!!

For the first time in recent history, the Town of Davie has made a sizable cut in our ad valorem tax rate. This was a major victory for the residents of Davie, as well as me, personally--as a taxpayer and an elected official.

I have argued for tax cuts every year since being elected. Last year I prevailed in getting a symbolic cut. This year we made a more substantial cut. The final millage rate is 4.9879, down from 5.1000

The Budget process this year--never without controversy--was more lively than usual thanks in part to the wacky math of one county official. You see by downloading the presentation I gave at the Final Budget hearing (PDF document or PPT powerpoint) that trying to force a conclusion that Davie is raising our taxes by 25%, as claimed, pretty much requires that you suspend the simplest rules of mathematics, facts of geography, and most basic principles of economics.

Teen Challenge Fund Raising Dinner

This evening I attended the annual fundraising banquet for Teen Challenge 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."

Firewall Ministries Annual Banquet

Recently I attended the annual Firewall Ministries fundraising banquet. 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.

Numerous testimonies from teachers, students, parents and community members documented stories of student's lives being completely reformed through the work of Firewall Ministries.

Suggestions for Davie's Budget / Financial Procedures

This year's budget process has revealed a number of areas in which we could make improvements. Though I can't take credit for coming up with this list on my own, I'm submitting my written suggestions to the Town Council on specific items we should address.

Davie Soroptimists Honored at Annual Back to School Dinner & Auction at Old Davie School

In yesterday's blOg entry, I mentioned the Annual Back to School Dinner & Auction at the Old Davie School. This year's dinner honored the Davie Soroptimists. This group of women was instrumental in preserving the Old Davie School.

Photo: Past and present Soroptimists at the Annual Back to School Dinner & Auction at the Old Davie School [*click* photo to enlarge]

Annual Back to School Dinner & Auction at Old Davie School

Recently I attended the Annual Back to School Dinner & Auction at the Old Davie School. This was another great event with many supporters of the School and Davie Historical Society.

Photo: From left, Barbara McCall, Janet Truex, Mayor Tom Truex and Ron Reitsma. [*click* photo to enlarge]

The Agenda for the September 20, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on September 20, 2006. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Debt Service. Voter approved debt service includes open and green space acquisition, the public safety facility, the 1998 Parks and Recreation Bonds, the 2006 Fire Bonds, and the 2006 Open Space Bonds issue. (Agenda Item 4.1).
   
2. Millage Rate. This ordinance is necessary, pursuant to state statute, to establish the operating millage rate for FY2007. The proposed operating rate is 5.0500. This is lower than the Town’s current operating rate which was 5.1000 in FY 2006. (Agenda Item 4.2).
   
3. Budget This ordinance is necessary to adopt the fiscal year 2007 budget. Each year, the Town must adopt a new year budget for the fiscal year, which runs October 1st through September 30th. (Agenda Item 4.3).
   
4. Agreement: an Interlocal agreement with the Town of Southwest Ranches for the purpose of having the Town of Davie continue to provide emergency medical and fire protection services for a portion of Southwest Ranches which is east of SW 172nd Avenue. (Agenda Item 5.15).
   
5. Site Plan: Summit Questa Montessori School, 5451 Southwest 64th Avenue. The subject site approximately 9.853-net acres and 10.118-gross acres.The subject site is located on the Westside of Southwest 64th Avenue between Griffin and Stirling Road. The petitioner is proposing a new ten-thousand three-hundred twenty-five (10,325) square foot multi-use building consisting of an assembly hall/offices/classrooms and a swimming pool. (Agenda Item 5.19).
   
6. Purchase of Ryan Parcels from Trust for Public Lands (Agenda Item 7.1).
   
7. Procurement Procedures Manual (Agenda Item 9.1).
   
8. Engineering Fee Analysis, Downtown Davie (Agenda Item 9.2).
   
9. District Boundaries Review. Approval of consultant. (Agenda Item 9.3).

Davie Town Council Cuts Fire Rescue Assessment Rate; Approves Solid Waste Assessment Rate

Tonight, the Davie Town Council met to consider the Fire Rescue Assessment Rate; and the Solid Waste Assessment (Garbage) Rate. We made a small cut to Fire Rescue Rate. Unfortunately the garbage rate was another matter. When we re-bid the garbage contract a couple of years ago, we had to estimate how much garbage (by weight) was generated each year by the average Davie household. We used numbers based on county averages at the time, but the contract specified a detailed study with the rate to be adjusted, up or down, according to the findings. It turns out that the average Davie household generates significantly more garbage than we had estimated. Since the garbage hauler is handling more garbage, we had to increase their rate accordingly. Part of the increase on your tax bill represents averaging the new numbers, retroactive to the beginning of the contract. A small part of the increase represents a cost of living increase, based on inflation. A few points to note:

• The increase in subsequent years will reflect only cost of living increases (no more adjustments based on the amount of garbage generated)
  
• The new rate is still less than than the rate under the old contract.
  
• The services provided under the new contract are significantly more than the old contract (more bulk trash pickup dates and ability to put out more bulk trash without bundling)
  

Mayor Tom Truex Attends Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at New Suntrust Bank Branch on Flamingo Road in Davie

Yesterday I joined other members of the Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce at the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new Suntrust Bank location at 4475 S. Flamingo Road, Davie. Suntrust Bank already has a strong record of community involvement in Davie through it's other two branch locations in Davie. Based on my experience with Suntrust Bank, they are a first class operation with first class personnel and first class facilities. Welcome to Davie.

* click * logo to go to Suntrust Website

Town of Davie Budget Workshop

The Davie Town Council held a workshop meeting tonight to discuss the 2006-7 Budget. Some things seem fairly certain at this point, including the ad valorem property tax cut to 5.090 mills. An additional cut may be possible. Unfortunately most of the ideas for additional budget "cuts" which I have heard involve either (1) moving where costs and revenues are applied, without really cutting any expense; or (2) taking money from contingency funds. The first strategy is deceptive, and not helpful. The second strategy leaves us at serious peril in the event of unforseen emergency expenses--such as last year's hurricanes.

Special Budget Workshop on Tuesday September 12, 2006

The Davie Town Council will hold a special workshop meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 to discuss the Town Budget for Fiscal Year 2006-2007. The meeting, at Davie Town Hall, is open to the public.

Archive Photo of the Week: Four O'Clock Flower

Here's another recent photo of a flower in my back yard: a Four O'Clock (Mirabilis). Contrary to popular belief, these flowers don't just bloom at four o'clock.

Photo: Four O'Clock flowers in Mayor Tom Truex' back yard. [*click* photo to enlarge]

Davie Flag to be Flown at Half-Mast in Memory of Former Mayor, Art Lazear

The flag at Davie Town Hall will be flown at half-mast for a week, through Wednesday, September 13, 2006, in memory of former Davie Mayor, Art Lazear. Mr. Lazear served 10 years on the Davie Town Council, from 1982 to 1989 and 1991 to 1994, including a term as mayor. He died earlier this week.

I remember Mr. Lazear from the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfasts, where he frequently passed helpful suggestions to me. He will be greatly missed.

Forensic Auditor Releases Report on Detail Test Work Based on Fraud Vulnerability Assessment

Davie's independent forensic auditor, Mayer, Hoffman, McCann P.C., has issued their 11 page Report on Detail Test Work Based on Fraud Vulnerability Assessment. The first page of this report identifies several areas--totalling $211,287.78--which could result in the Town of Davie recovering money.

* click * logo for the first page of Mayer, Hoffman, McCann P.C.'s Report on Detail Test Work Based on Fraud Vulnerability Assessment

Celebrity Photo of the Week: Mayor Tom Truex Attends Five Star Rodeo With Two Other Miramar High School Graduates

Last month I attended the Five Star Rodeo Championship Bullriding with a couple of friends and our wives.

Recently the rodeo arena received a facelift, including new railing around the arena, compliments of the Five Star Rodeo. These improvements are significant renovations done at no cost to the taxpayers of Davie. We appreciate the continued support and generosity of the Weekley family and the Five Star Rodeo.

Photo: From left: Mayor Tom Truex, Jerome Jackson and Rev. Israel Hepburn: all graduates of Miramar High School Class of 1976. Mr. Jackson is a lifelong resident of West Hollywood. Rev. Hepburn is pastor at Star of Bethlehem Church in West Hollywood. [*click* photo to enlarge]

The Agenda for the September 6, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on September 6, 2006. The Agenda is online.

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

1. Transit bus selection for Blue Route (West). (Agenda Item 5.8).
   
2. Contract extension with Swimamerica. (Agenda Item 5.11).
   
3. Approving interlocal agreement with Broward County for annexation of Pine Island Ridge. (Agenda Item 5.12).
   
4. Approving interlocal agreement with Broward County for annexation of United Ranches. (Agenda Item 5.13).
   
5. A resolution relating to payment of overtime to Town employees during certain emergencies. (Agenda Item 5.17).
   
6. Five year capital projects budget. (Agenda Item 7.1).
   
7. Rezoning. Proposed rezoning of Agricultural District to 5 units per acre (1300 Flamingo Road). (Agenda Item 7.2).
   
8. Procurement Procedures Manual - Preparation and Training. (Agenda Item 9.1).