Tag: government

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CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

Exactly one year ago our lives were dramatically changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was in March 2020 that we saw our first COVID-19 case confirmed in Florida and declared a State of Emergency for the City of Coral Springs. We quickly shifted our focus to the health, safety, and welfare of the community – especially our most vulnerable citizens. One year later our attention remains on the virus, but our efforts have shifted to the mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

We are proud to have opened a vaccine distribution site at the Coral Square Mall and implemented a mobile distribution plan to include senior living communities, homebound seniors, and underserved communities. To date we have administered about 31,000 doses. Appointments for COVID- 19 vaccination sites for seniors ages 65 and older, and frontline healthcare workers, are scheduled through the State of Florida website myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling (866) 201-6313, for TTY use (844) 252-2003.

March is Women’s History Month, and in the City of Coral Springs we are excited to celebrate women for their outstanding contributions to our city through the newly launched ‘Her Story’ campaign. We encourage residents and local businesses to nominate inspirational women who are making an impact and influencing others in our city by visiting www.coralsprings.org/herstory.

Looking for a way to serve your community and keep Coral Springs clean? Join us on March 6 for the 44th Annual Broward County Waterway Clean Up. Register online to participate, www.waterwaycleanup.org.

On March 10, the City of Coral Springs will host its third Open Play Chess Session at the Coral Springs Gymnasium from 6 to 8 p.m. Pre-registration is required for participants and spectators. For more information, please visit www.coralsprings.org/events.

We are excited to announce the launch of our city’s newly designed website. The city recognizes coralsprings.org as the digital front door to the services we provide our citizens and businesses. This digital transformation makes it convenient to access City Hall virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In addition to the newly designed website, we are proud to announce the launch of our official social media accounts! To better serve our community, we are using social media accounts as an added outlet for city business conversations and engagement with residents.

You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! Mayor Scott Brook @CSCommissioner1, Vice Mayor Joshua Simmons @CSCommissioner4, Commissioner Shawn Cerra @CSCommissioner2, Commissioner Nancy Metayer @CSCommissioner3, and Commissioner Joy Carter @CSCommissioner5.

There is a change to our Commission Meeting schedule in March. The meetings will take place on Wednesday, March 3 and Monday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. You can view our public meetings and provide public comment, visit coralsprings.org/agendas for details.

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Florida preserves college-level civics literacy requirements

Who’s second in the line of presidential succession? Speaker of the House, you say? Good job. You know your civics.

When President Reagan was shot in 1981, Secretary of State Alexander Haig said, “Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the president, the vice president, and the secretary of state in that order…I am in control here.”

Haig later insisted he was talking about the executive branch, not the presidential line of succession. Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, was not amused.

Either way, Florida wants to make sure its citizens are civics literate. So if you didn’t know your civics in high school, you’re in luck, because civics literacy is a graduation requirement at all state colleges and universities. It has been since 2017.

Civics literacy means an understanding of history and how government works.

Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis wanted to amend the 2017 law, introducing “The Florida Civic Literacy Test,” which basically was just a version of the U.S. Immigration Services Naturalization Test.

It was a 100 multiple-choice test and you only had to get 60 right to pass, the equivalent of a “D” letter grade.

To be clear, there are 100 questions would-be citizens have to study, but the examiner randomly selects ten from the 100 and the test taker isn’t given multiple choices. They have to know the answers to six questions, in addition to passing reading, writing, and speaking tests.

The Florida Department of Education (FDE) withdrew the amendment it had proposed after parties petitioned against it at the end of May. The amendment would have added the test as one of several options by which Florida College System students could demonstrate civic literacy competency.

But a representative from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), one of the petitioners against the proposed rule change, said that the citizenship test is problematic. “The problem with the proposed rule was that it created a test that could be passed by scoring 60 percent on a memorization test instead of completing a university-level course or an existing assessment specifically designed to measure collegiate level learning,” said Jonathan Pidluzny, ACTA’s vice president of academic affairs.

An ACTA press release states that the proposed rule would have “seriously weakened” the 2017 law, which says educators must “establish course competencies and identify outcomes that include, at minimum, an understanding of the basic principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government, an understanding of the United States Constitution, knowledge of the founding documents, and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-governance, and an understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on law and society.”

The Parklander requested a copy of the multiple-choice test from the Florida Department of Education, but officials did not supply one.

Civics test

A recent survey of 41,000 Americans, conducted by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, indicates less than four in ten Americans could pass a civics test. Some other notable facts from the survey: Those in Vermont had the highest passing rate (53 percent); the next four highest scoring states were Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, and Virginia. Meanwhile, Louisiana had the lowest passing rate (27 percent), followed by Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Florida’s score was 29 percent. The questions below come from 100 used in the citizenship test.

Scroll below for correct answers

  1.  What is the supreme law of the land?
  2. When was the Constitution written?
  3. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
  4. What position is third in line of Presidential succession? (Hint, it’s still not Secretary of State.)
  5. Who is the current Chief Justice of the United States?
  6.  How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
  7. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
  8. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
  9. Name one right or freedom under the First Amendment.
  10.  Who was the president during World War I?

ANSWERS:

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2021-The year of the vaccine

We’ve closed the book on an unexpected 2020, where so much of our lives were dominated by the pandemic. COVID-19 will still be with us this year, but we hope our lives will slowly recover in 2021 as vaccines are made available for everyone.

Creating a new vaccine is time-consuming. Unlike the flu vaccine for the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, there is no existing vaccine for coronaviruses to build upon. According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines must be developed and tested to ensure they work and are safe. Michal Linial, a professor of biological chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said “Classical vaccines were designed to take 10 years to develop.” So a new vaccine process is now being used for the early COVID-19 vaccines.

As of December 15th, three vaccines have been submitted for FDA approval. There are two mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines by Pfi zer and Moderna, and one DNA vaccine by Oxford-AstraZeneca. Both of these methods are relatively new, and until COVID-19, no DNA or mRNA vaccines had been approved in the US for human use.

The basic concept these vaccines use is to trick your body into producing proteins that appear to be similar to COVID-19 fragments, which will elicit an immune response from your body’s defense system. This response will protect you from infection from the live virus. This is a new process, compared to vaccines based on live or dead pathogen proteins. The new DNA and mRNA vaccines are non-infectious and can be produced faster and economically.

Both mRNA and DNA vaccines use your body to produce the proteins, using the instructions stored in either mRNA or DNA format. DNA instructions are processed inside your body’s cells to produce the proteins designed to emulate fragments from the virus; whereas mRNA is translated into the protein outside of the cell in your body’s intracellular fluid.

Since mRNA does not enter your cell, the chance of your genome being affected is averted. But mRNA is fragile, thus the cold storage requirements for these vaccines: -70 degrees Celsius for Pfi zer, and -20 degrees Celsius for Moderna. The advantage of the DNA vaccine like the Oxford-AstraZeneca version is to reach areas where cold storage is not common.

The minor and moderate side effects reported of these early vaccines are sore arm at the injection site, fever, fatigue, headache, joint pains, and muscle aches. These effects are due to your body ramping up for a virus infection, but because the vaccine is non-infectious, you will not get a case of COVID-19, just the symptoms from your body’s response.

According to Moderna, no one receiving the vaccine in their trials developed a severe case of COVID-19. The reported efficacy rate for these vaccines are in the 90-95% range, which is much higher than your typical flu vaccine.

While the creation and approval of these first sets of vaccines have been completed, the logistics of getting them delivered across the country has just begun. Operation Warp Speed (OWS), is a partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Department of Defense (DoD).

OWS aims to accelerate the development, manufacture, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Their stated distribution objective “is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. Several thousand vaccination providers will be available, including doctors’ offices, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and federally qualified health centers.”

OWS has provided a playbook to state and local jurisdictions on the distribution of the vaccines. In Florida, the Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), an agency headed by Director Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland local, is responsible for the distribution of vaccines across the state. “We went out and bought dry ice machines,” said Director Moskowitz. “We got the ultra-cold freezers that we need. We feel that we’re in a good position.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has been planning since early summer on how best to distribute the vaccines, with initial distribution planned at five Florida hospitals (including Memorial Healthcare System in Broward), and eventually expanding to look like state testing sites. “It may even be the same sites we have now,” Moskowitz said. “Giving out the vaccine in a mass distribution — call it spring, late spring, early summer.”

So we say good riddance to 2020. There is much hope life will start returning to normal as more folks are vaccinated in 2021. As of Dec 15th, 2020, a new hope is slowly arriving in the form of vaccines, and state officials work through the prioritization process. The logistics of successfully implementing a smooth mass vaccination is immense, and we all need to follow the recommendations so we can get back to the OLD normal as quickly as possible.

Welcome to 2021, the year of the vaccine.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

2020! The good, the bad, and the ugly. Reflecting on this turbulent year, our community has shown grace and resiliency while navigating many challenges. From a pandemic to an economic crisis to an election, this has been a year like no other. I want to thank everyone in our community for helping us move forward. You are truly what makes Broward County strong, and why I am proud to call Northwest Broward home.

In November, I had the honor of being elected Vice-Mayor of Broward County by the County Commission. I am humbled to represent the residents of Broward County and District 3. In the coming year I look forward to working with all of Broward’s 31 municipalities as well as our state and federal partners. We must meet all challenges head-on through innovation, advocacy, and working together as Broward County creates opportunities for all residents. I thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to serve our great community.

Congratulations to all who have been elected or ran for public office in November. No matter if you won or lost your election you are an integral part of our democracy, and it is commendable that you sought to serve your community. I look forward to working with all our newly elected municipal, state, and federal officials as we continue working towards a bright future for Broward County.

Commissioner Michael Udine

Broward County has announced opportunities for local businesses and non profits to receive CARES Act grants through the Office of Economic and Small Business Development. This program invests in the bedrock of our local economy by providing grants through an application process. In addition, local businesses should take the initiative to get certified as it provides opportunities to work with Broward County directly on the many projects at entities like the airport, seaport, and other agencies. Check out all the great opportunities at broward.org/EconDev, and let Broward County invest in your future today.

Recently, the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program wrapped up another successful nesting season. Over 2,800 nests were found on Broward County’s beaches from March to October! The conservation program has teams that work around the clock monitoring and documenting the sea turtle nests, including a “Lighting Crew” that makes sure coastal properties are using turtle-friendly lighting. Additionally, throughout the pandemic, the crews hosted free virtual hatchling releases so the public could witness the magic as well. Thank you to the dedicated crews, community partners, and volunteers that help with this important work!

This holiday season, there are many special events happening in Broward and District 3 cities. Families can also check out the annual holiday light display at Tradewinds Park! There are countless service opportunities available throughout our community as well. You can donate toys, time, food, or funds to charities like Family Central, Feeding South Florida, and Toys for Tots that distribute to families in need. Together, we can make sure that the light shines bright for all this holiday season.

Finally, the Udine family and I wish you and yours a happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year. My staff and I have made staying connected with the residents of District 3 a top priority. We have been available by phone, answering questions by email, and getting out the most up to date and accurate information available. As always, I can be reached at MUdine@Broward. org or my office at (954) 357-7003. Follow me on social media @CommissionerMichaelUdine on Facebook and @MichaelUdine on Twitter or Instagram to receive important updates and see what is happening  in our community. I look forward to connecting with you.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

As we march into November and the upcoming holiday season, our cities are getting creative. Now is a great time to check out events like drive-in movie nights, a hike at one of our parks on a nature trail, or a local farmers market. These activities allow us to be safe while enjoying life, and we should all take advantage of opportunities to relax, even if it is just for an hour or two.

November 3rd is a big day for our community and country. As your County Commissioner, I serve as a member of the Broward County Canvassing Board. The Canvassing Board’s mission is to oversee a transparent, safe, and unbiased election to make sure everyone’s vote is counted. Through investing  in the Supervisor of Elections Office, Broward County is committed to ensuring that your vote is counted whether you vote by mail, early, or on Election Day! Thank you to everyone who has played a role, from the volunteers, poll workers, and Supervisor of Elections staff. Your contributions make sure democracy is alive and well.

In October, Broward County partnered with the Florida Panthers to expand the Kauffman Entrepreneurship Development Program. The 10-week program offered by Broward County has graduated almost 100 entrepreneurs and provides workshops for the public. Participants are mentored on the real world aspects of starting a business, the tools needed to succeed, and how to access capital to grow. This expanded partnership with the Panthers will provide additional financial resources to the program so more residents can pursue their dreams and keep Broward businesses growing.

Commissioner Michael Udine

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will be holding its triennial airport safety training drill in November. The drill is mandated by the FAA to test the airport’s emergency preparedness and response. In this exercise, airport volunteers will act out scenarios as passengers, airport personnel, and security. This will allow the emergency operations staff to understand how we can improve security. This drill will happen after the airport winds down for the evening and will not affect operations. Thank you to all the airport personnel and staff for giving your time to protect the traveling public!

Last month Broward County funded a program match for Swim Central. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death of children in the nation. Swim Central is vital to prevent this from happening by allowing kids to work with instructors on the fundamentals of swimming and water safety. For more information on how to sign up or participate, please visit Broward.org/parks or call 954-357-7946.

On November 11th, we will observe Veterans Day. Cities across District 3 will be hosting ceremonies that honor our Veterans’ courage, sacrifice, and heroism. Our hometown heroes continue to serve long after leaving active duty service in a variety of missions that support causes throughout our community. Thank you for your service.

My staff and I have made staying connected with the residents of District 3 a top priority. We have been available by phone, answering questions by email, and getting out the most up-to-date and accurate information available.

I can be reached as always at MUdine@Broward.org or (954) 357-7003. Follow me on social media @CommissionerMichaelUdine on Facebook and @MichaelUdine on Twitter or Instagram to receive important updates and see what is happening in our community. I look forward to connecting with you.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

The month of October means elections have begun throughout Broward County. The Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office is working diligently to ensure safe, efficient, and transparent elections.

Remember that if you plan to vote by mail, request your ballot as soon as possible and return it via mail prior to election day, or at a designated drop box location. Additionally, these are the key dates to remember:

  • Deadline to register to vote is October 5
  • Early Voting will take place October 19 through November 1
  • Election Day is November 3

Be sure to check https://Browardsoe.org or call (954) 357-7050 for more information on registering to vote, polling locations, or to find an early voting site near you!

Students are back in school and we are working towards everyone returning to campus safely. No matter what the case, we must make sure that all precautions are taken. Throughout all this, our teachers, administrators, and parents have been the backbone of the process and will continue to be on the frontline. Making necessary adjustments has not been easy for anyone, especially our kids, and everyone is going the extra mile to make sure students are put in the best possible position to learn. We all cannot wait to get our children back with their friends and teachers at school so they can enjoy being kids in a safe learning environment.

In addition, Broward County Libraries continue to be open virtually throughout this time as a resource to kids and adults alike. When you visit https://Broward.org/library, all you need is a library card to access resources such as eBooks, movies, online classes, and more, just like you would at your local library. Be on the lookout for special virtual events that the library will be hosting during October. The Broward Library is truly a gateway to the world and will open new possibilities for learning.

Broward County recently agreed to work with the Army Corps of Engineers for additional beach re-nourishment. The federal government through the Army Corps will fund the project completely at no cost to Broward County taxpayers! This will augment the current program that protects our county’s treasured beaches. With the Corps bringing in sand to return certain beach zones to pre-Hurricane Irma levels, we will not only save the county money now, but also later. Maintaining our beaches will ensure that they remain pristine for residents and visitors to enjoy, and combats the environmental impacts from beach erosion.

Finally, Halloween festivities will look a bit different this year. Traditional trick-or-treating and big parties may not be possible; however, we should not miss this opportunity to have a little fun. So put on your favorite costume, carve a jack-o-lantern, and get creative with the decorations while we stay safe and healthy.

My staff and I have made staying connected with the residents of District 3 a top priority. We are available by phone and email while we work on getting out the most up to date and accurate information. As always, I can be reached at MUdine@Broward.org or my office at (954) 357-7003. Follow me on social media @CommissionerMichaelUdine on Facebook and @MichaelUdine on Twitter or Instagram to receive important updates and see what is happening in our community. I look forward to connecting with you.

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CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

As we head into the month of October, we are so proud of how Coral Springs and its residents have proven to be resilient and have unified in strength. We are fortunate to see a downward trend in COVID-19 cases within the state and county allowing certain restrictions to be lifted. However, it is important to remember there are still patients battling this virus and we must remain vigilant to prevent further spread in our community.

Certainly, how we meet, gather, and celebrate has changed due to the pandemic; however, city staff believes it’s important to continue traditions and celebrations, leading us to reimagine events. This season, we are planning for events such as, ‘Monster Splash,’ ‘Far out Flicks’ Drive-in Movie, and, sponsored by the Coral Springs Police Department Foundation, “Cops and Kids Drive-Through Trick or Treat.” Residents can learn more about all the city events by visiting https://coralsprings.org/events.

The General Election is on November 3 and early voting in Florida kicks-off on October 19th through November 1st. Your nearest early voting location is the Northwest Regional Library, hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We encourage all residents to exercise their right to vote. If you are not a registered voter, you have until October 5 to register. If you prefer to Vote-By-Mail please request your ballot before the deadline of October 24, 2020. All information regarding the upcoming election can be found at https://browardsoe.org.

This month, we also highlight Fire Prevention Week from October 4th through October 10th. This year’s emphasis is kitchen safety. The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department shares important safety tips to help prevent fires and protect your family:

  • Never leave cooking food unattended. Remain in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly and use a timer.
  • Alertness is important when cooking. If you are sleepy, taking medication that makes you drowsy, or consuming alcohol, refrain from cooking.
  • Keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire ignites, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame, turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. Never use water on a grease fire. Consider installing a small fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place in the kitchen.
  • Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department offers additional information on their Facebook page, follow them at @coralspringsfd for more safety tips.

We are excited about our 2nd Annual Restaurant Week – Savor the Springs, which takes place on October 9-18, 2020. Sponsored by the Economic Development Office, the event features local restaurants offering great deals with prefixed menus featuring delicious dining options. For a full list of participating restaurants and culinary offerings, please visit https://SavorTheSprings.com. When you participate with friends and family, share on social using the hashtag #SavorCS, or tag us @CoralSpringsEDO.

You can stay informed and up to date by visiting https://coralsprings.org, following our city social media accounts, and through text message: text the keyword CORALSPRINGS to 888-777.

Our October Commission Meetings will take place virtually on Wednesday, the 7th at 9:00 a.m., and Wednesday, the 21st at 6:30 p.m.; residents are invited to watch and offer public comment by calling (954) 344-5900. Meetings are aired on CityTV, Blue Stream Channels 25, 25.2, 725, and on AT&T U-Verse channel 99. Meetings are also live-streamed at https://coralsprings.org/citytv.

As always, if you would like to schedule an appointment with any of your City Officials, please call (954) 344-5911.

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Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL, 22nd District)

Dear Friends!

In November, Americans will be participating in one of our country’s most cherished democratic traditions. As we enter election season, I encourage you all to make your voices heard, whether that be in-person, by mail, or by early voting. To check on your registration, ballot status, and voting locations, please visit your county’s Supervisor of Elections website at https://browardsoe.org.

You can help ensure every voice is heard in our democracy and protect the health and safety of our community by signing up to be an election poll worker. Because of COVID-19, we are already facing a critical shortage of these essential workers. Our local elections officials are working hard to establish safe voting protocols, train workers, and supply election sites with enough PPE to make voting in-person safer. But they need your help. Sign up to be a poll worker on November 3rd at https://powerthepolls.org.

“I welcome these announcements that Israel will normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The historic agreements will usher in a new era of regional cooperation and help provide greater stability in the Gulf, which is in the United States’ national security interest.”

I have long hoped to see the day that common ties between Israel and its regional neighbors would be able to advance, and I look forward to working to support these growing relationships. I am glad that these announcements include a commitment to finding a just, comprehensive, and enduring solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It is only a two-state solution resulting in a safe and secure Israel living side by side in peace with a viable Palestinian state that can ensure long-term peace and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

As always, please stay safe and reach out to my office if we can be of any assistance.

 

 

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Parkland Mayor: Christine Hunschofsky

This time of year, elections are all over the news and the airwaves. While the national elections get so much attention, there are many other elections and charter and constitutional amendments on the ballot this year that deserve your close attention.

In our City of Parkland, four seats are on the ballot – the Mayor’s seat and Commissioner’s seats for districts 1, 2, and 4. While City Commissioners must live in the district they represent, every registered voter in the City of Parkland votes in every race regardless of which district they live in. So please do your research and remember you will have the opportunity to vote for all four seats up in the city election.

Some of the other seats that are also on the ballot include school board, judges, state attorney, supervisor of elections, state representative, state senator, and U.S. Congress.

Additionally, there are six state constitutional amendments on the ballot. Amendment 1 adds language to the state Constitution that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections. Amendment 2 raises Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. Amendment 3 establishes a universal, open primary system for state office primary elections. Amendment 4 requires voter-approved constitutional amendments to be approved by voters at a second general election. Amendment 5 increases the transfer period for “Save Our Homes” benefits to a new homestead property from two years to three years. Amendment 6 allows a deceased veteran’s homestead property tax discount to be transferred to the surviving spouse. It is important to read all the ballot initiative language carefully since it can be misleading sometimes. Also, please do your research to learn the implications of a yes or a no vote on any of these items.

Broward County also has two questions on the ballot. The first deals with enabling the County to continue to act as the manager and auditor of all county funds instead of requiring those duties to be transferred to the Clerk of Courts in 2025. The second is a charter amendment, which would allow the County to develop/build surtax-funded transportation system improvements (such as a Park and Ride) on County-owned
or leased property without city input even if it conflicts with municipal ordinances.

Vote-By-Mail ballots will be sent out around September 24. If you would like to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot, please visit https://browardsoe. org. Vote-By-Mail ballots can be tracked online so you can verify when they are mailed out and when they are received and counted. October 5 is the last day to register to vote for the November 3 election. Early voting takes place from October 19 through November 1 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Broward County registered voters may vote at any Broward County early voting location. On Election Day, you must vote at your precinct. Visit https://browardsoe.org for early voting locations or to find your precinct for Election Day. Please do your homework and make a plan to vote either by mail, during early voting, or on Election Day.

As always, please reach out to me at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Parkland Mayor Candidates Q&A 2020

To further assist our readers in making educated decisions when voting in November, we have sent a list of questions to each candidate running for the Mayor of Parkland, FL. 

Stacy Kagan

1. What is your full name and what position are you running for? 

Stacy Joi Kagan, Mayor of Parkland

2. Where are you originally from?

Originally from Queens, NY, and moved back and forth from Kendall, FL, to Queens, NY.

-Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district? How long have you been here? 

I have wanted to live in Parkland from the first time I drove into the community.  We have lived in  Parkland for over 16 years and our daughter Brittani is a graduate of MSD. We are residents of Heron Bay, The Greens.  Parkland was just what we wanted for our family with beautiful communities, A-rated schools–a quiet gem in Broward County.  I have also worked in the Parkland area for about 25.

My childhood was difficult, and I wanted a community for my family that I dreamed of. My personal unwavering commitment to give back comes from my past and my goal was for all children to have the opportunity and a role model to know things can and will change. It takes drive, commitment, and passion. I started working at age 12 after my father passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack. Faced with financial difficulties, and not always having a place to live, it made me strong. Overcoming these challenges is what allowed me to develop the strength, tenacity, and compassion that I have today for people of all ages.

3. Why are you running for this position?

I have been serving Parkland as Commissioner for three terms, just short of 8 years and I am incredibly proud that my community has kept me in my seat. I was voted by my peers to be Vice Mayor two years in a row. I’m actually taking a bit of a leap of faith in giving up my Commission seat in order to run for Mayor. This is how passionate I am about my work to serve Parkland residents. There’s so much good that I want to continue to do in this role.

Being on the Commission for almost 8 years tells me that the residents are happy with my service to the people of Parkland.  I work and serve the residents.  I do not work for the city, I work for the people.  During my term, I am proud of my voting record.

I look at the future of Parkland from many different views and I take this position extremely seriously, as it is the Mayor and Commission’s role to create the vision, and the City Manager and staff to implement it.  Having strong relationships with the community and related services, Broward County Schools, an understanding of how to work with others, and find solutions to exceed the needs of the people is what I have done and will continue to do as Mayor.

I have always been a working Mom and raised my family here for a reason and I am proud of my daughter who also has served in her heart. One of my proudest moments as a parent was my daughter returning home to Parkland to help the students just days after the tragic shooting. Brittani brought light to our community during our darkest times, the tragic shooting at MSD. Her
high school was such a big part of her life and continues to be. Her compassion and strength for the families, kids, and teachers reached so many.

Owning multiple businesses, dealing with budgets, managing people, consulting, crisis management, working with children, being a former preschool teacher, owning a music school, and working with many diverse and unique people have given me the tools I need to protect, and guide, Parkland’s future in the best possible direction.  I will enhance community involvement and engagement.  I will lead with compassion, teamwork, and an open line of
communication with the residents.

-Have you run in the past?

Yes, I am currently a Commissioner in Parkland District 1 since 2013 and Vice Mayor for 2 years in a row, voted on by the Commission.

4. If elected, what is your first point of action? Why? 

There are so many things to get started on and everything is fluid as things change in our city, county, state, county, and globally. I will continue to focus on safety and protecting public health, optimizing Parkland’s city budget (working on that now). We are prepared for a potential active 2020 hurricane season while safeguarding Parkland’s unique character and exceptional quality of life.  Restarting our business community here in Parkland and helping Parkland business owners that work outside of our community is important.  We need to work together and my many years of networking, building relationships, being a mentor and a business owner will help our community to strive.

I will continue with all that is Parkland and use my experience to expand on what is needed, make certain that my new Commissioners have a strong understanding of the new role and commitment.  Having worked with Mayors Hunchofsky and Udine, I offer a great deal of knowledge and experience to our relatively new Commission.

It will be a seamless transition as we have an outstanding Mayor and I will meet with Mayor Hunschofsky, the City Manager, and City attorney to immediately continue what we started and then get to work on with the new Commission and bring new ideas forward.

Creating new boards, community involvement, and open discussions, office hours for residents to meet with me and encourage our new Commission to do the same. May be virtual or in-person or at a park. Those that know me to understand how I communicate.  Listening is key and then when you have all of the information you need run with it, boots on the ground! We are all one vote and that is why Resident and Commission communication is key for the future of Parkland.  I am here for the good times and the bad times and the unexpected.

 5. What mission do you feel most passionate about? Why?

Bringing our community together.  There seems to be an invisible line between the east and west side of town.  We are  “One Parkland’ and we should be working together not dividing.  When I meet with the people of Parkland there are so many things they all want and have in common.  There are times when the path we choose may be different, however, the end goal seems the same.

  • Help our community and businesses rebound from the effects of Covid-19 and work together safely with physical distance while being social.  Healing and growing together.

  • Keeping our children and adults safe in the fields, in our parks, and in our community.

  • Keeping city services, programs, and our schools top-rated.

  • Protecting our property values.

  • Protecting the character and the hometown’s special vibe of Parkland.

  • Working with the families and community for a permanent memorial to help the healing process from the MSD tragedy. We will always remember and honor.

6. Where do you feel our city needs improvement? Why? 

There is always room for improvement in whatever you do. Personally, I strive every day to improve and I believe the city staff does as well. If I had to pick one area, I would say communication and community involvement. We have so many active residents that truly care about Parkland and its future and have new and different ideas.  We need to have more opportunities for them to be heard.  It is also important for all areas of Parkland to see another’s point of view and understand that when the Commission votes, we need to look at all the moving parts. The decisions we make are not easy and often there are people that are extremely upset.  Although I would like to be able to agree with everyone’s point of view,  that is not possible and there are times that things go the way I would like and others they do not.  That is democracy!  I believe in working towards solving an issue, problem, or concern and listening to come up with the best possible outcome.

There will be many issues before us. I have every confidence that when we work together as a community—from parks to roads, to development, fiscal planning, safety, business development, schools, long-term strategic planning, community spirit, and well being—so much good can be done. This has been my strategy and promises from my first day in office as Commissioner.  I am
extremely satisfied to watch new residents choosing Parkland as their home and everything our Commission has archived to keep our community beautiful.

7. Where do you feel our city stands above the rest? Why? 

Parkland is an exquisite gem.  It is a place that is our home, community, and offers a lifestyle for all from small children to the young at heart. Parkland has top-notch communities, beautiful parks that offer unique amenities, an award-winning library, dog park, P-Rec Center, houses of worship, bike paths, located next to a magnificent part of nature, the Everglades.  In the middle of my term, we had several issues relating to school overcrowding, which Broward County Public Schools governs. The Mayor at the time, Michael Udine, and our Commission fought for Parkland children to stay in schools located in Parkland.  This is not common.  We worked diligently with the school board when they wanted to bus children out of Parkland. We added additional classroom space at Riverglades, Pine Trails, and Heron Heights working with Broward County Public Schools, city staff, and developers.  We offer free SAT and ACT tutoring for MSD students at our Library and I worked with MSD students involved in the National Honor Society to develop a tutoring program that is student to student.  The people of Parkland make our city stand above the rest!

8. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? 

Communication is crucial now more than ever. I am not waiting until day one, I have already started my plan and with every opportunity, I talk with the residents about how they feel and get their input on why Parkland, what they like and dislike, and what they would like to see going forward.  It is so important to recognize that it is our home and everyone has a voice in moving the community forward.  I have also shared my vision with our City Manager about creating more volunteer opportunities and focus groups. This is key to knowing the true pulse of the city.  It is my goal to listen to the people of Parkland and share that with the commission and encourage them to do the same. We need to be sensitive to what is going on in the world, our community, and make certain no resident is left behind.  Our population is changing and we
need to address the needs of all of Parkland and want to create opportunities for our children to our seniors.   I believe we all want the same thing and together sharing ideas and vision will lead us in the best possible direction for the future of our already outstanding place to live and work.

9. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?

I will always meet with anyone that involves Parkland.  That is part of what I do now and what I will continue to do.  There are many steps in any form of development and processes that municipalities have to follow regardless of what type of proposal or development and needs in our community.  As elected officials either Mayor or Commissioner, we are policymakers and the staff runs with the details.  It also depends on many complex issues and how they can be resolved.  This is actually a very complex question with many steps prior to anything moving forward. Always starting with a discussion and meeting is step one.

10. What neighborhood do you live in?

I live in The Greens of Heron Bay with my husband Richard of 35 years and our dog Ziggy and cat Tiggy.

-Why?

This is an interesting story… When we moved to Parkland we only had two weeks to find a home and move.  Our house in Weston sold quickly and we had to be out in less than a month.  We were not even considering Heron Bay, and it is crazy to even think about it.  Every home we bid on we lost to buyers who offered more money.  The market was crazy and my family had very specific things we wanted. My husband wanted a big yard, pool with a lake and trees, and my daughter wanted a bedroom with a walk-in closet, bathroom, and room for a couch.  All I wanted was to pick up my house in Weston and move it to Parkland. When my Realtor called about our house, my husband did not even want to look at it.  He was done looking, so Britt and I went to look at the house we now call home.  It was close to meeting our needs and we needed a place to live. The view was spectacular on the golf course, the bedrooms were big,
and it was empty and needed a family. We all compromised and it became our home.  We put in a pool two years later and it turned out to be the perfect place for the Kagan Family!

 11. Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? 

Now is a very unusual time and the way I do things now is very different than would be without a pandemic.  Meeting and talking with the people of Parkland in our communities and at our events, supporting all of the residents of our community in any way possible, which has been an extremely new experience with COVID. I do much more facetime, zoom, and physically distance talks and walks so I can connect with our community.

I love everything in Parkland and I do have a few personal favorite things.  I love driving down Holmberg and Trails end with the top down on my car. I love driving by Hendricks Farm and Parkland Golf and smelling the peppers, it’s like being in the country.   Taking walks all over town with Richard, my husband, and Ziggy, our puppy is wonderful and I get to meet and talk with neighbors that are out safely as well as the dog park and walking with friends physically distancing around town and in our parks. Spending time at Carmella’s and meeting friends and neighbors while physically distancing and getting fresh air and grabbing take out from our incredible restaurants.

I would be remiss if I did not share how much our community activities mean to me, not for me for our families of Parkland. When I see smiling faces at the Drive-in Movie, on the fields, events like Snowfest, (my personal favorite), Egg Hunt, Farmers Market,  the school events, Parkland Dash, all of our incredible charity events, activities at our P-rec, visiting with residents at their clubhouses, an MSD football game, a drama production at MSD, a baseball game, watching the band play, our homecoming parade, police and fire meet and greets, reading to the kids at the library, and watching a Parkland sunset at the Levee or even my own backyard. I can go on and on….

Parkland is a special place for all ages and there is so much to do even now!  I was so pleased when my plan for the drive-in movie was approved. I really wanted to get creative with the Commission and city staff and find a way to bring everyone together safely. I look forward to more of that as Mayor.

To learn more or get involved in my campaign: visit StacyKaganforParkland.com or email StacyKaganforMayor@gmail.com, or call 954-288-5261.

Best to all,

Stacy

 

Rich Walker

1. What is your full name?

Richard Walker

2. Where are you originally from?

I am originally from New Jersey

-Why did you choose to move to Coral Springs/Parkland?

I chose Parkland because of the schools and the community.

-How long have you been here?

I have lived in Parkland for 7 years.

3. Why are you running for this position?

I am running for Mayor because I bring a unique perspective to the dais. My wife and I have 5 children ranging from ages 6-16 at each level of the school system. We are an active family in schools, Parks and Recreation, and throughout the community. I am engaged and I am always accessible for our residents. My business background gives me the knowledge and know-how to identify problems and always look for a solution.

– Have you run in the past?

I am currently a Commissioner in District 2

4. If elected, what is your first point of action?

Obviously to continue to ensure our residents are safe is #1, but I want to make sure our businesses have the support they need from us as a City to be
successful.

-Why?

During this COVID time, our businesses have had a difficult time. Our businesses are great partners for our City. They sponsor events and sports leagues. They also give our residents additional opportunities to see one another around town.

5. What mission do you feel most passionate about?

I believe our Parks are very important. Parkland is a family-based community and we have to be forward-thinking as we continue to grow our infrastructure.

-Why?

To have a successful and wonderful City we need to make sure we are meeting the needs and level of service our residents deserve. Proper planning is essential. Having my business background is exactly how I think. I am results-oriented and forward-thinking. The decisions you make today can impact tomorrow in both good and bad ways, so it’s imperative to not be impulsive in that decision making.

6. Where do you feel our city needs improvement?

Our City is behind in terms of our infrastructure. We have grown so much over the last 5 years and we are playing a bit of catch up to this growth.

– Why?

The government is not overly fast and nimble, so it’s so important to make quick and decisive decisions. We cannot keep up with the level of service our residents need if we are making reactionary decisions. We need to be proactive. My engagement daily within the community gives me this insight. I am with you at the Parks, Schools, Community Events, and businesses daily.

7. Where do you feel our city stands above the rest?

Our community is resilient. We have been through so much and every time we get back up and move forward stronger than ever.

-Why?

We are a close-knit community, so we are always there for one another. We have so many opportunities during the year to see each other whether it’s the Farmer’s market, Eats and Beats, or any of our other wonderful events.

8. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?

Communication and engagement are vital to the success of any entity. I have always made a point to engage with our residents whether it’s at the schools, parks, community events, or our local businesses. I am always open and available, and I will continue that throughout my service.

9. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?

I would listen to their plan regardless of my initial thought. It’s so important to listen to everyone with an open mind. I will always listen and try to find the value in any discussion or idea. This is how you grow as a person and this is how we can grow as a community.

10. What neighborhood do you live in? Why? Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?

I live in Parkland Isles. I love our community. I have been to so many other wonderful communities in Parkland and they all have their own unique feel. It’s wonderful. My favorite thing to do is ride my bike throughout our City. I will ride my bike several times a week and it’s great to be able to ride around town and see the differences within each community. This is one of the things that makes Parkland so special.

Rich

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Parkland Commissioner District 2 Candidates Q&A 2020

To further assist our readers in making educated decisions when voting in November, we have sent a list of questions to each candidate running for the District 2 Commissioner of Parkland, FL. 

Jordan Isrow

  1. What is your full name and what position are you running for?

Jordan Isrow – Parkland City Commissioner (District 2)

 

  1. Where are you originally from?

Boca Raton, FL

 

-Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district?  

While working in New York City as an Assistant Attorney General I met my amazing wife, Jessica, who grew up in Parkland. We fell head over heels in love with one another and eventually made the joint decision to move back down to South Florida together. After visiting her family in Parkland multiple times, meeting a number of their friends and fellow residents, visiting the parks, learning about the A-rated schools, and getting a great feel for the tight-knit community, we both knew that this was the place where we wanted to raise our family.

 

-How long have you been here?

7 years

 

  1. Why are you running for this position?

Parkland is my family’s home and is going to be our home for the next 20+ years. Our City is at a critical juncture right now in its evolution with an influx of new residents and a substantial amount of new development still remaining to be built. The strategies and policy decisions that are made over the next two years will dictate what Parkland looks and feels like for many years to come. I’m running for Commissioner to ensure that our great City maintains all of the phenomenal things that attracted us here in the first place – top-rated schools, beautiful green spaces, and robust sports and recreation programs – while still preserving Parkland’s special character and family-friendly environment. It’s not just important for our two kids, Parker and Maya, but for all of the families in Parkland.

 

-Have you run in the past?

No.

 

  1. If elected, what is your first point of action?

My first point of action will be to work with the Mayor and other Commissioners to prepare and finalize a Master Plan for the City so that we have a thoughtful and comprehensive blueprint of what we want Parkland to look like in the future, as well as a roadmap on how to get there. This will include plans for the potential annexation of new properties, enhancements to City services and programs, and investments in capital infrastructure to support the growing needs of our residents; both the young families and our rapidly growing 55+ age group.

 

-Why?

Without a Master Plan, we will be left in the untenable position of having to be reactive as opposed to proactive. In my view, there is too much at stake to not have a cohesive plan for the future of Parkland, otherwise, we risk becoming like our neighboring cities that have become overcrowded in terms of capacity and less connected as a community.

 

 

  1. What mission do you feel most passionate about?

There are a number of important missions for Parkland that I am passionate about, but safety will always be my number one priority.

 

-Why?

If residents don’t feel safe in our community, there is little else that we can do as a governing body to improve our quality of life. Being able to enjoy our parks, schools, and local businesses without having to worry is why people move to Parkland in the first place. We, unfortunately, learned a tragic lesson in 2018 with Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and it is incumbent upon our City Commission to do everything in its power to prevent anything of the sort from ever happening again.

 

  1. Where do you feel our city needs improvement?​

Generally, we are fortunate to live in a well-planned and well-run City. However, there are changes and growth on the horizon and therefore we must have a well thought out Master Plan with sufficient flexibility to account for the future growth, including the possibility that in the not too distant future Hendrix Farms may annex into the City.

 

-Why?

Parkland is anticipating that approximately 1,100 new homes will be built over the next four years. As the population grows, we need a long-term plan that provides a conceptual layout to guide the future growth to avoid undue traffic congestion, overburdened public facilities and services, and the erosion of Parkland’s unique character.

 

  1. Where do you feel our city stands above the rest?

The overall look and feel of Parkland — including the beautiful parks, trails, and green spaces — is unrivaled.

 

-Why? 

This certainly does not happen by accident. It is all thanks to exceptional planning by past leadership who upheld their fundamental commitment to keeping Parkland as green, open, and accessible as reasonably possible. I promise to carry the torch and see to it that we protect and preserve this going forward.

 

  1. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?

To me, it is all about communication. Whether through community outreach on social media or speaking with my fellow neighbors out and around town, I plan to keep an open line of communication with all Parkland residents and make myself readily available to talk through the decisions I will be tasked with making as the next Commissioner. I also have a plan to utilize the My Parkland app to notify residents of important issues that will be addressed at upcoming commission meetings to increase public awareness and add the ability for them to pose questions or comments on specific topics to be considered by the Commission as part of their decision-making process.

 

  1. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?

 My first step would be to assess whether there is an actual need for the new piece of public infrastructure. This would entail speaking with City Staff, residents, and other stakeholders to understand the underlying basis for the proposal. Assuming that the research showed there was a legitimate need, the next step would be to perform a technical evaluation of what the project will require in order to operate as needed. This would include calculating the overall cost for construction, future operating expenses, and the timeline in which it is expected to be completed. Next would come an environmental assessment to ascertain the environmental risks and impacts associated with the project. Assuming that the cost of the project is justified by the expected benefit to the community, and the environmental impact is minimal, I would make the recommendation to move forward with the new piece of public infrastructure.

 

  1. What neighborhood do you live in?  

Watercrest

 

-Why?

When my wife and I were finally ready to buy our first home we toured a number of different developments in Parkland, but Watercrest stood out above the rest for us. The neighborhood was filled with young families with kids of all ages playing outside and at the clubhouse pool and there was a noticeably strong sense of community pride among the residents.We fell in love with one of the model houses and made the decision to build on a lot backing up to the nature preserve, which provides breathtaking views of all the natural wildlife that surrounds us every single day.

 

  1. Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? 

Pine Trails Park, Liberty Park, Barkland, Farmer’s Market, Carmela Coffee Shop, Family Bagels of Long Island, Déjà Blue, Bluefin Sushi, Pizza Time, Los Bocados.

 

Jordan Isrow

Derek Olivier

  1. What is your full name and what position are you running for? 

Derek Olivier and I am running for Parkland City Commissioner District 2 

  1. Where are you originally from? 

I am originally from New York but I have lived in South Florida since 1993, so I consider myself a Floridian.

-Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district?

My wife and I moved to Parkland for the school district and safety as we were planning on starting a family.

-How long have you been here?

On October 28th, we will have lived in Parkland for 5 years. 

  1. Why are you running for this position? 

Service to others is a pillar in my faith and is written in my DNA. It was one of the prime factors why I left corporate America and started my company and it’s the reason why I spend the mornings of my birthday helping different charitable organizations in South Florida. Our country is going through a lot of turmoil and when I had my first child 6 months ago, I looked into his eyes and felt like I needed to do more. I know what I am capable of and that my experience as a business owner, my real estate knowledge of 17 years, and my understanding of accounting principles makes me uniquely suited to help in this moment of crisis. Knowing I am the best person for the job invoked a sense of duty to step up and give back to a city that has given my family an amazing place to call home. 

-Have you run in the past?

No, I never thought I would ever run for office, but I feel compelled to do something as I see the qualities I love about Parkland changing. 

  1. If elected, what is your first point of action? 

Help the hurting retail business in Parkland. Parkland businesses add to the culture of our community and give a space for our residents to commune. As a business owner myself, I have a unique understanding of the many challenges businesses in Parkland are facing and have created a simple but effective 8-step plan to help increase their sales. I have listed them on my website, DerekGetsItDone.com. One of the most obvious steps is to add a Parkland business Icon to the homepage of our city website. 

-Why?

Even before COVID hit, Renee and I witnessed a revolving door for the small business owners of Parkland. When we first moved here, we would take our nieces and nephews to SubZero in the Parkland Commons Shopping Center. SubZero closed its doors a couple of years ago. My wife fell in love with I Heart Mac and Cheese, and it also closed. I helped create a social business networking group in Parkland we called PBNG. We had over 50 members and had monthly meetings at Bahama Grill on 441. Bahama Grill closed its doors about a year ago. Now with COVID, almost all of the business owners I spoke to are suffering. They need the city to step up and help them navigate through this tough time. Let’s relax the signage laws on 441, let’s work on getting them PPE equipment since the city is requiring them to provide it for their workers, and let’s get them some additional advertising opportunities to help them help themselves. 

  1. What mission do you feel most passionate about? 

Getting a Parkland Police Force and Keeping Businesses in Parkland. 

-Why?

a. Safety is important to me and although I believe BSO has some amazing officers when you have 2,800 officers in 14 cities, I think it’s challenging to manage your force. After speaking with the people of Parkland, I have learned of many of the challenges they are experiencing with BSO and many of the surveys have shown that the people of Parkland want their own Police force. I am in total agreement. I believe huge Police forces set up officers for failure. I believe policing should be personal, a more community-style policing where officers live in the city they serve. Officers should be a part of a community they serve and know the names of the people in the community. Officers who are the neighbors of the people they serve will be even more motivated to act in moments of crisis.

b. I built 2 businesses from the ground up and I know the blood sweat and tears it takes to start and run your own business. My first company was a 2,600 SQFT video game center similar to Chuck E Cheese called GameBreakers that I started in 2006. GameBreakers was a LAN center that utilized the power of at-home gaming consoles. Although home computers were the standard at that time, I believe consoles would be the new standard. We called ourselves the purveyors of fun. We focused on daycare centers, colleges, birthday parties, and group events. We started making some headway and was featured on the cover of the Sun-Sentinel business section. But due to the crash of 2008, the fun did not last and we were forced to close our doors. That was one of the worst events of my life. I know how hard business owners work. I know firsthand what getting up at 6 am and working to 12 am, just to do it all over the next day feels like. I know the weight of having employees, I know about paying your employees before you pay yourself, and how helpless you feel when you see all the things you worked so many years to vanish in a couple of days due to an economic crash. To lose my company in that way was heart-wrenching. COVID has debilitated so many South Florida businesses in the same way. I know firsthand what the business owners of Parkland are going through and I want to do whatever is in my power to help them not experience what I did in 2008. 

  1. Where do you feel our city needs improvement? 

We need our own police force, we need to help Keep businesses in Parkland, we need to stop overdevelopment, we need to work through the issues with Pine Tree Estates, we need to elevate our parks. 

-Why?

a. We need our own police force because the people of Parkland want community policing at a level BSO cannot provide. BSO leadership can change every 4 years and we as a city do not have much say on who gets elected. Also, according to the CSPM study, having our own police force would be cheaper by about 3 million a year.

b. Parkland businesses are hurting. As a business owner myself, I have a unique understanding of the challenges they are facing and have an 8-step plan on how the city can help increase their sales.

c. Parkland is experiencing growing pains, including excess traffic and the loss of natural landscapes. With my experience working in accounting and real estate development, I am ready to get to work on this issue.

d. A city should never get sued by its residents. We need to figure out a way to resolve the issue with Pine Tree Estates.

e. Our city is called Parkland, and I feel like we should have the best parks. But currently, many of our parks are having challenges. The city has taken steps to correct the issues and I want to continue what was started and see if there are any steps to improve. 

  1. Where do you feel our city stands above the rest? 

I believe Parkland is one of the best cities to live in. 

-Why?

I am originally from NY and when I first moved here, I fell in love with the fact that I could see so many stars at night. Parkland offers that small-town feel in a big city. Also, the people of Parkland have been so welcoming to us, the parks and events like “Eats and Beats” bring a sense of community and the school system can rival some of the best in Florida. I am proud of my city and feel obligated to do my part to help. 

  1. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? 

 Social media is a great way to keep residents up-to-date on what’s going on. I also plan on hosting monthly zoom meetings, going to events, and taking advantage of any opportunity to get face to face talk with our residents to explain what’s going on and understand developing issues. 

  1. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing? 

a. One of the first considerations is the residents of the area. Are they interested in the structure?

b. What impact will this have on traffic and what are the implementation costs?

c. What added functional use will this project provide the city? Is it purely decorative?

d. What are the thoughts of the planning and zoning department and city manager?

e. What will this structure add to our community?

f. How long will the build out take and what contingencies can we put in place to prevent them from not meeting their timelines?

g. I would need to know there was an RFP done to ensure we are getting the best price. h. I would want to know the accreditation of the structural engineer and know that proper steps would be taken to ensure structural integrity.

i. I would need to understand the past work of the builder and speak to the city members on their past jobs. 

  1. What neighborhood do you live in? 

Parkland Isles 

-Why? 

  • Renee and I felt Parkland Isles was one of the prettiest communities in Parkland. 

  • Each home in the community had a little more land between them than many of the newer communities. 

  • For all the amenities offered, we thought the HOA was reasonable compared to others. 

  • The people in our community have been so awesome. We have made lifelong friends. 

  • Our community is super close to the highway so it makes it easy to get anywhere in South Florida quickly. 

  • It’s in Parkland and zoned for the schools we wanted.

  1. Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town?

a. Pine Trails Park- I love playing flag football.

b. Eats and Beats- Date nights with Renee.

c. Bahama Grill- Social meetups and happy hour.

d. Bluefin- Date nights with Renee.

Derek Olivier

Posted on

Parkland Commissioner District 4 Candidates Q&A 2020

To further assist our readers in making educated decisions when voting in November, we have sent a list of questions to each candidate running for the District 4 Commissioner seat of Parkland, FL. 

Bob Mayersohn (Incumbent)

  1. What is your full name and what position are you running for? 

Bob Mayersohn -Re-Elect Commissioner City of Parkland-District 4

  1. Where are you originally from?

Spring Valley, New York

–Why did you choose to move to this city/county/school district/state district? 

I moved to Florida 37 years ago. We fell in love with Parkland when we were looking for a place to raise our family. Growing up we had apple trees in our backyard, and farmland down the road so we immediately connected with Parkland. The natural landscape features, such as the Holmberg Road tree canopy, the equestrian setting, walking paths and community spirit felt like home.

-How long have you been here?

24-year resident of Parkland

  1. Why are you running for this position? 

I am humbled and grateful that I have been able to serve the City of Parkland as the District 4 Commissioner since 2016. Over the last 4 years, I have developed relationships and acquired knowledge and experience. I want to continue to work in making Parkland the best place to live. Have you run in the past? Was elected to serve in 2016

  1. If elected, what is your first point of action?

Continue to address the PTE road issue.

-Why?

There are current litigation and while, under the advice of our attorney, I will not comment on the merits of the litigation, I am hopeful that we can get to a resolution.

  1. What mission do you feel most passionate about?

Our commission developed the City’s mission which is, “To provide quality services while protecting the community’s unique character and natural environment, adding value to our resident’s lives, and advocating to protect community interests.” Why? Because this is Parkland.

  1. Where do you feel our city needs improvement? 

Why? What has plagued the city and will continue to present a challenge is balancing the infrastructure to support the growth. These are complex issues that involve various state, county, and local requirements as well as collaboration with landowners. My goal is to continue to work with these entities as we plan for our future.

  1. Where do you feel our city stands above the rest?

Our natural landscape.

-Why?

We have been able to maintain what we call “country elegant classic” design standards.

  1. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town? 

The interesting part is that COVID-19 has forced us to implement creative ways to reach out to our residents. Continuing to have community meetings, using on-line input, which includes emails, and face to face discussions are vital. The key element for me, however, is making sure everyone’s voice is heard.

  1. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.) how would you evaluate whether that project was worth implementing?

Evaluating a project takes an interdisciplinary team approach. While an individual commissioner may advocate for a project, decisions are not made in isolation or silos. The process involves strategic planning, community outreach, evaluating funding options, etc. to get to a consensus.

  1. What neighborhood do you live in?

Mayfair

Why?

Great location, warm and friendly neighbors, and its mature street tree canopy.

  1. Where are your favorite places to spend time in our town? 

I enjoy spending time all over town; however, since COVID-19, I have acquired a greater appreciation for our greenways, parks, and trails. Its natural beauty is very peaceful and tranquil.

Bob Mayersohn

*Bob Mayersohn will be running against Robert Brannen. Our attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.*

 

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