Tag: Parkland

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Alyssa’s Law comes home

In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, and in an attempt to make schools safer, Florida is now the second state in the country, after New Jersey, to adopt Alyssa’s Law, named after one of the shooting victims.

The state committed to allocate $8 million to implement the statewide mobile alert system for schools, despite a pandemic and budget cuts.

Thanks to Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) and State Representatives Michael Gottlieb and Dan Daley, Alyssa’s Law unanimously passed the Florida House of Representatives and was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 30.

“We’re so excited to get this bill passed,” says Book, a mother of two-year-old twins and an advocate for students and educational issues.

The bill is named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, an honor student, then 14, who was murdered on Valentine’s Day 2018 while in her classroom at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, along with 13 of her schoolmates, and 3 staff members. The bill mandates that all public schools in the state of Florida install silent alarms that will be directly connected to local law enforcement in a state of emergency.

According to her parents, Ilan and Lori Alhadeff, Alyssa was “bright, energetic, happy, athletic – a pure ray of sunshine who lit up every room with her warm smile. She was an honor student, a good friend who was known to stay up later than she should have in order to support others, a winning debater, and a star soccer player, the captain of her traveling team.”

Alyssa’s parents founded the non-profit Make Our Schools Safe, with a mission of empowering students and staff to create and maintain a culture of safety and vigilance in a secure school environment. Part of those efforts was lobbying for the passage of the Alyssa’s Law bill.

“In the massacre at MSD, milliseconds mattered – and the lack of real-time coordination between first responders likely cost precious lives,” Book said in a statement after the bill was signed.

The Parkland Commission, set up after the tragedy to determine what went wrong, found that chaos and delayed response time contributed to unnecessary loss of life.

Beginning with the 2021 school year, Alyssa’s Law will require all public elementary and secondary schools to install either silent panic alarms, a cellphone app, or alternative emergency mechanisms approved by The Department of Education from which to silently alert the police.

In an interview with local Tallahassee TV station WTXL, Lori Alhadeff, now a member of the Broward School Board said “We didn’t have panic buttons. If we had an Alyssa’s Alert, teachers would have seen it on their phones and would have known how to respond properly. They could have locked and barricaded their rooms and got[ten] out of the line of fire.”

Alhadeff’s goal is to get all 50 states to pass Alyssa’s Law.

Visit: makeourschoolssafe.org

To help bring Alyssa’s Law to the national level, visit: change.org/p/u-s-house-of-representatives-pass-the- alyssa-law-at-the-national-level?recruiter=985442548&utm_ source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&recruited_by_ id=c6ac5260-a9a9-11e9-aa54-e9ab6b748c2a

 

By Jan Engoren

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Parkland Life: Time to recreate myself again

Whenever I look at my Apple Watch it says No More Events Today! As the pandemic accelerates in Florida, and since I am in the age group that is considered the most at risk, I remain sequestered at home. I go into stores for necessities, sometimes a couple of times per week, but most of the time not at all. My hair, as I have said before, is still
the one thing that I feel is important enough to make me risk exposure. I have returned to the salon to have my hair colored, cut and for a keratin treatment. Silly, but true. I no longer have manicures and pedicures, but do my nails myself. My nails aren’t nearly as pretty, but it does suffice. Shopping, game playing, volunteering, classes, social events, travel and all other daily excursions are gone. I recently said to a friend that I feel as if life is simply passing. Besides looking at the time on my watch, I check the day and date and am constantly amazed that the months have steadily passed.

I am not complaining (much). I am lucky to have Mickey Booboo growing daily as he fills our home with joy, love, and laughter.
I am lucky to have friends that I speak with regularly and sometimes have socially distanced, outside get togethers. I am lucky to have family that I FaceTime with daily. I am lucky to have Neil to share this strange and scary time with. But with all of that, I still see my life going by with days that are the same and often lack focus and purpose.

At 69, I expected the next few years to be filled with travel while I am healthy and agile. I expected to go back and forth to New York to see my family and share in all of our grandchildren’s small and large milestones. I expected to enjoy my volunteer work, theater, and daily activities. All of these things have been put on hold.

Younger people are continuing their lives more completely. Some are able to go to work, or work at home. Some choose to still travel and enjoy outdoor activities. While stymied by the virus, they are able to weigh their risk/reward ratio more leniently than I do.

When can I change my risk/reward decisions?
After another month? Few months? After a year? I am not sure if there is an answer to this, but if no vaccine or effective treatment is created, how long can I live in this pleasant but boring limbo? I know I am lucky, but my optimism is running thin.

I need to create a way, beyond Mickey, to be productive enough to be happier. There have been a number of times in my life when I felt the necessity to recreate myself to achieve a fuller and happier life.

I changed careers mid- stream. I got divorced and remarried in my mid-fifties. I retired and started a whole new life in Parkland in my sixties. Each time it took thought, faith and hard work to begin again. But each time the daily life that followed was far happier than the one before I made changes. I now recognize that this is a time to do it again, this time in my seventies. Life will never return to what it was before the pandemic, but I have the power to think this through and work hard to achieve a change for the better. Stay tuned, I am working hard on this and hope to find my way soon.

By Jill Vogel

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Message from Parkland Mayor : Christine Hunschofsky – July 2020

At the time of this writing, Broward County just allowed summer camps and sports activities to take place. Graduation parades and virtual ceremonies were taking place and most families were adjusting their summer

plans. The City has been working to adopt the Broward County orders safely, while also preparing for the summer budget season.

This month, the City Commission will meet on July 8 at 6pm for
a workshop and at 7pm for a meeting. At our meeting we will be voting on a millage (tax) rate that will appear on the TRIM (Truth In Millage Notices) that are sent to every homeowner in August. This millage rate is only a placeholder, but when the Commission votes on the final millage rate at the two budget hearings in September, we cannot vote for a millage rate higher than the one we approve in July. At the July commission meeting, our city manager will
give the Commission her proposed budget. During July, August, and September, the proposed budget is available online to the public. Additionally, there is a link online to ask questions about the budget, and city staff are available to answer any questions any resident has on the budget. The Commission reviews the budget in July and has workshops on the budget in August and September. The final votes on the millage rate and the budget take place during two meetings in September. To view the current proposed budget (which will be available online after July 8, 2020) and previous budgets, please visit cityofparkland.org/budget.

The only ad valorem part of your tax bill that the Parkland City Commission votes on is the City of Parkland millage rate. Your tax bill is made up of many other governmental entities, not just the City of Parkland ad valorem. By making a quick online search at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s website at bcpa.net you can find your property and then click on the “Click here to display your tax bill” link at the top. This will take you to your property’s tax history and give you the ability to review the full details of your tax bill. In 2019, the ad valorem charges on your tax bill included (percentages are rounded to the nearest .01%):

Broward County (29.89%), Broward Schools (37.26%), South Florida Water Management (1.4%), North Broward Hospital District (5.44%), Children’s Services Council (2.57%), City of Parkland (23.30%) and Fl. Inland Navigation (.17%).

In addition to the ad valorem charges, you will also find a City of Parkland Fire Assessment Fee, a direct charge from your drainage district and a direct charge from Waste Management. I highly recommend going online, reviewing your 2019 tax bill and then reviewing your proposed 2020 taxes that are in the TRIM notice you should receive by mail in August.

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy July 4th! Enjoy these summer weeks with your family and friends. I hope you will all have time to relax and recharge. As always, feel free to reach out to me at any time at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org with your questions or comments. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Parkland mayor seeks Florida State House seat

In April, Parkland Mayor, Christine Hunschofsky, announced her run for the Florida State House of Representatives District 96. She would be replacing former representative and friend, Kristin Jacobs. Jacobs passed away earlier this year following a three- year battle with colon cancer.

A 20-year Parkland resident before becoming Mayor in 2016, Hunschofsky served nearly four years as a Parkland City Commissioner, seven years on the city’s Education Advisory Board, and is currently a member of the Broward League of Cities School and Community Public Safety Task Force.

“I could never have imagined when I entered public office that I would see our community brutalized by a mass shooting and confronted by the devastating effects of an international health emergency,” Hunschofsky said in a press release announcing her candidacy.

“Both of these events have revealed urgent issues which must be addressed by the legislature now including gun safety, emergency preparedness, economic recovery, and fixing a broken unemployment system,” said Hunschofsky.

“I cannot think of a time when my friend Kristin Jacobs’ leadership has been more needed than during this current crisis,” she said. “Losing her is a true blow to our district and I intend to use my experience in government to do all I can to continue her work of fighting for our community in Tallahassee.”

The 96th District includes Parkland, Coconut Creek, parts of Margate, and the northeast section of Coral Springs in northeastern Broward County.

Parkland City Commissioner, Stacy Kagan, who served seven years with Hunschofsky and was vice mayor for two of the years, says, “Parkland has been fortunate to have had Christine’s leadership.”

A Parkland resident for the past 16 years, Kagan is now running to succeed Hunschofsky as Mayor.

“I endorsed Christine immediately,” she says, “and I think that she will
do an excellent job in the position.” said Kagan. “This town has a proud tradition of producing stellar leaders and it benefits our community to have leadership that understands the unique character and interests of this amazing place we call home. We have a resilient and united community and care about each other.”

A Boston native, Hunschofsky graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business administration and philosophy from Boston University, in 1996 she went on to earn her MBA from Babson College before relocating to Parkland with her husband, Hannes, and two sons.

Staying occupied with Zoom meetings during COVID-19 stay at home orders, Hunschofsky says when she received a text from Jacobs two weeks before her death saying she was not doing well and asking Hunschofsky to run in her stead, Hunschofsky knew she had to take the next step.

“I believe my experience allows me to bring a local perspective to Tallahassee,” Hunschofsky says. “I’ve worked on the local level and with leaders on a state level. This allows me to make a positive contribution and elevate local issues to Tallahassee.”

Following Jacobs’ commitment to environmental issues, specifically water quality issues, Hunschofsky plans to make this a priority in her agenda along with a focus on access and funding for mental health services, expanding Medicaid, school safety and common sense gun laws, and support for grief counselors and social workers in schools. (Hunschofsky was the Mayor during the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 2018.)

For the Aug. 18 primary, Hunschofsky will run against fellow Democrat, Saima Farooqui, who ran and lost to Jacobs with 20.7 percent of the votes, two years ago. A write-in candidate, Coral Springs resident, Muhammad Amin, (also a Democrat) will not appear on the ballot in the primary but will appear on the ballot for the general election, Nov. 3.

Attempts to contact these two candidates were unsuccessful.

Check out our podcasts with Commissioner Kagan, and Commissioner Walker on www. theparklander.com/podcast to hear more on why they are running for Parkland Mayor.

 

By Jan Engoren

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SoFlo BUZZ: Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department recognized again

The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department is among 348 departments nationwide rated Public Protection Classification (PPC) ISO Class 1.

The PPC program is known to help communities prepare to fight fires effectively through the community’s investment in fire mitigation.

The ISO expert staff analyzes the data collected regarding municipal fire protection efforts in communities and assigns a Public Protection Classification on a scale of 1-10. Superior property fire protection
is classified as Class 1. The classification generally determines the price of fire insurance in a community – the better the rating the lower the price, assuming all other factors are equal.

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SoFlo BUZZ: Area seventh-grader wins second place in state essay contest

Isabella Renert, a seventh-grade student at Coral Springs Middle School, has won second place in the Florida League of Cities “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

Her essay was among 291 submitted state wide. The first place winner was Rithika Shankar from River City Science Academy Mandarin in Jacksonville.

“I am extremely proud of Isabella,” said Bettania Opthof, Isabella’s 7th Grade Teacher. “This young lady is every teacher’s dream student.

“To say that she is highly gifted is undeniable, but what makes her truly special is her kind heart and love of family, friends, and community. With future leaders like Isabella, I feel confident that our great country will be in good hands.”

Isabella’s essay began, “If I were mayor for a day, I would help the homeless, make sure the city is clean, and make sure the schools are safe.”

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A family affair

 

Continuing our profiles of folks connected to the Parklander during the past 30 years, we talked to Bobbi Mechler, from the Mechler Group.  

 

Thirty years ago, when the Parklander published its first issue, the city was already known as a place where young families raised their children in a park-like environment.  That’s one of the reasons that attracted Bobbi and her husband to the area after relocating from Long Island.

Parkland was an idea.  Surprisingly though, Parkland at the time, had no public parks.  The first park in Parkland, Quigley Park, was dedicated in 1989.  Over the years, as the city grew, more and more parks were added. Now it is hard to imagine Parkland without all of its playgrounds, sports facilities, and trails.

Bobbi, working in the real estate industry, has always enjoyed meeting the residents and potential new residents moving to the area.  She shared some of her interesting experiences in the Parklander™ magazine back in 1991.  One story about the perfect seller, a homeowner baking cookies for potential buyers, is still good advice today.

Her love for her work had a strong impact on two of her children.  Her son, Brent, and daughter, Courtney, joined their mom soon after college.  They have been working together for 21 years.

Even though real estate can be a very competitive industry, Mechler’s family enjoyed working together, and there was much laughter. Brent and Courtney were quick studies, and inherited the same charm from their mom.  Soon, clients were feeding back how much they loved working with them.

Having her kids working with her was a boon for Bobbi.  She was able to give them hands on training and advice from her years in the business.  Courtney, who always wanted to work with her mom, helped the team adopt new technology, and market effectively over the years.

These days, real estate marketing is recovering in the “new normal”.  After a period of time with no face to face meetings, recently rules with masks have been adopted.  Property owners can now set the rules for buyers.  Some advice from Bobbi, if you are showing your house, is to keep your lights on, so it minimizes potential buyers from touching the switches.

Looking forward, Bobbi would like to see the area continue to retain the park-like atmosphere, so she can continue to enjoy her tennis, bike rides and walks.  Considering how Parkland went from no parks in the 80s, to now, with the right planning, we can continue to improve our neighborhood.  Someday, perhaps, one of her grandchildren will be helping new residents finding their home in Parkland.

 

by Li Pan

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

Dear Friends!

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a tremendous impact on our daily lives. The public health and economic toll of the virus has been devastating to many residents of South Florida – some even more than others. As we move toward a sense of normalcy, we must remember to look out for one another.

This unprecedented moment in history has renewed our focus on helping one another and solidified our sense of community. Throughout this crisis, I have seen many members of our community answer the call to help others. These heroes, including frontline workers, non-profits, local businesses, and everyday citizens, have displayed tremendous amounts of selflessness and devotion to our community during difficult times. While we must continue to be cautious of renewed outbreaks and be prepared for future challenges, we must continue to stand united as a community to protect the safety and livelihood of our neighbors and friends.

During challenging times, we have shown the potential to unite for a greater cause. As we celebrate the 244th anniversary of our country, let us reflect on the promise of a united nation that strives for freedom and equality.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office if we can be of assistance.

Warm Regards

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

It has been a long winter/ spring due to the pandemic, and now Broward is getting

used to its new normal. Businesses are taking the appropriate measures to

welcome customers back. Summer camps are opening, sports leagues are restarting, and pro sports are resuming under strict protocols. All our efforts are being made to get everyone back to our daily routines. Get out and experience all that our community has to offer this summer.

This year’s Teen Political Forum, hosted by the City of Coral Springs, utilized Zoom to connect Northwest Broward’s young people with community leaders. Participation in the event was exceptional, and the questions asked ranged from updates on county projects to questions about the direction of the country. This event provides students with a way to apply the civics lessons learned in school with their real-world application. I value hearing the opinions of these young leaders and look forward to seeing them as they grow and bring new ideas forward for our community.

I am proud to support the Broward Arts Relief Supplemental Grant Program to distribute bridge funds to non-profit arts programs. These funds allow the community to continue
to enjoy the arts and protects the great people that work at the various venues. Funds come from license plate fees on vanity plates that support the arts. Whether a museum, a local theater, or a musical ensemble, we are aiding these important organizations of our community during this critical time. Grants are awarded to those partners who have applied under strict parameters based on need for these one-time funds.

The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is ready for takeoff, but with a new look and safety precautions to protect travelers. Since the pandemic FLL has instituted its “FLLy Safer, FLLy Smarter, FLLy Better” campaign. When
you visit you will notice new acrylic shields protecting both passengers and gate agents, space markers to promote social distancing, and continuous deep cleaning of high traffic areas throughout the day. All these precautions are meant to help get the public back in the air safely. As flights continue to be added and people feel more comfortable flying, we look forward to seeing you at FLL!

As we return to a new normal this summer please join me by utilizing our wonderful parks and beaches throughout Broward County. Go fishing, sit on the beach, or have a cookout with family. Enjoy life! Have a great 4th of July as we celebrate our nation’s independence.

  • Email: mudine@broward.org
  • Phone: (954)357-7003
  • Facebook: @CommissionerMichaelUdine
  • Twitter and Instagram: @MichaelUdine
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Podcast episode #4 – City Talk – Parkland Commissioner Kagan

Commissioner Stacy Kagan, who is running for Parkland City Mayor this fall, joins our podcast series.  She has served as one of the city’s commissioners for 7 years, and has been a local resident for 16.  Go check out Stacy’s website, www.stacykaganforparkland.com.  All our podcasts are available now on our website, www.theparklander.com/podcast .

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Jordan Isrow Declares Run for Parkland City Commission, District 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 13, 2020

Jordan Isrow Files to Run for
Parkland City Commission Seat, District 2

Parkland, FL – Jordan Isrow has filed to run for City Commissioner in Parkland, District 2.

Jordan and his wife Jessica live in Watercrest and share their time with their 3-year old son, Parker, a 5-month old daughter, Maya, a French Bulldog named Bentley and a rescue cat named Loki

Jordan currently is General Counsel for a successful international cosmetics company headquartered in South Florida.

He always had a strong interest in public service and giving back to his community. He has volunteered to help many local public officials and political campaigns in various roles. He has also been actively involved in a number of charities such as SOS Children’s Village, N.I.C.K.’s Camp, Parkland Cares, Jewish Federation of Broward County, Fashion Funds the Cure and Experience Camps.

Jordan is running for City Commissioner to continue to make a positive impact for his community. His top priority is to preserve Parkland’s special character and family friendly environment, while best preparing the City for the future.

Isrow stated, “there is a long list of things that interest me in the City Commissioner role. However, the primary draw is the privilege and the formidable challenge of planning for the future, while managing the growth, without sacrificing the essence of what makes Parkland so uniquely special.

Parkland is unrivaled in terms of its strong sense of community. We will always support one another and rally together both in good times and in bad. This is so very rare these days and is truly what I believe makes Parkland one of the best places to live in the country. I intend to do everything in my power to protect this lifestyle for all Parkland residents.”

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