Tag: politics

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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

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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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Judge says principal fired over Holocaust email should be rehired

In our August edition, freelance journalist Jan Engoren wrote about new state legislation mandating the school curriculum about both the Holocaust and the little-known 1920 race riot in Ocoee, Florida. The law, H.B.1213, co-sponsored by state Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation), was spawned in part by an April 2018 incident in which a Boca Raton high school principal emailed a parent: “Not everyone believes the Holocaust happened.”

William Latson, then principal at Spanish River Community High School, was fired from the post he had held since 2011. Shortly after the Parklander began circulating through Broward and Palm Beach counties, however, on August 13, Florida Administrative Law Judge Robert S. Cohen ruled Latson should be reinstated. So, while it may be old news by the time you read this, in the interest of fairness, we felt it necessary to follow up with the judge’s ruling.

Judge Cohen ruled that Latson should be rehired and reassigned to a post in the district “commensurate with his qualifications.” The judge’s written ruling also recommended that Latson receive back wages.

The Palm Beach County school district “failed to prove that Latson engaged in misconduct in office, incompetence, or gross insubordination by a preponderance of the evidence. No just cause for his suspension or termination exists, but a reprimand and reassignment are warranted,” the judge wrote.

 

By Richard Battin

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Parkland Mayor: Christine Hunschofsky

By the end of August, every homeowner should have received their TRIM (Truth in
Millage) notice which comes from the Broward County Property Appraiser. This notice can also be found online at bcpa.net. The TRIM notice details home market value and assessed value in addition to exemptions. It also shows the various taxing authorities (Broward County, Broward County Public Schools, South Florida Water Management District, North Broward Hospital District, Children’s Services Council, City of Parkland, etc) that make up your entire tax bill, what their current millage (property tax) rate is and what their highest proposed millage rate may be. Additionally, you will find all the times, dates, and locations of all the public budget hearings for every taxing authority. PLEASE take a close look at your TRIM notice this year so that you know how much each taxing authority is proposing to tax you and where you can go to give your input on their budgets.

Assessments are also listed on your TRIM notice separate from the property taxes. These include the Waste Management assessment for services, which is a direct pass-through amount from Waste Management for solid waste and recycling services, and the Parkland fire services fee. Additionally, some residents will have various water control assessments from North Springs
Improvement District, Parkland Water Control, Coconut Creek Utilities or Pinetree Water Control depending where their home is located in the city.

On a separate note, life has not been the way we expected it to be over these past few months. With the health and economic effects of COVID-19 as well
as schools starting the year off virtually, many are understandably stressed and anxious. Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center offers free virtual wellness classes and also has trained clinicians on staff to help. For more
information, visit their website at eagleshaven.org. Additionally dialing 211 in Broward County can connect you with a whole range of services from mental health and behavioral health to senior check-ins. Visit their website at 211-Broward.org to see the whole range of services they can connect you to.

The best way to keep up to date on what’s going on in our city is to visit the city website, follow the city on Facebook at facebook.com/copfl or on Twitter at @CityParklandFL, subscribe to the city’s e-blast “Parkland on Tap” at cityofparkland.org/notifyme and download the MyParkland app. As always, I enjoy hearing from our residents, so please reach out to me at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org.

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CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

It has been six months since Florida had its first official reported case of COVID-19 and since then we have seen cases increase to over half a million. As summer comes to a close, we look towards the remaining months of 2020 and are hopeful that through science, medicine, and proper hygiene we will soon resume some sense of normalcy.

We recognize that during times of great adversity, it is imperative to reflect on the past to realize that this too will pass. September serves as a historic reminder of hope. As a nation, we have overcome challenges by leaning on personal responsibility, unity, and hard work. We must apply these qualities to solve and overcome our current hardships.

Personal responsibility. We must emphasize the power in personal responsibility as this is the most critical action taken to overcome the difficulties we are faced with today. The responsibility you have to ensure your safety, health, and wellbeing are actions that will protect you and your loved ones. In addition, it will help protect doctors, nurses, first responders, essential workers, all others on the frontlines, and local businesses. Do your part, wear your mask when in public, and practice safe social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Unity. Nineteen years ago, unity was essential after our nation and its people were attacked on September 11, 2001. We must honor, remember, and never forget the lives we lost on that day, as well as the families they held dear. As one American family, we must come together in service and remembrance that we must never let others divide our nation. The city will host its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony, albeit virtually, at the September 11th Memorial located at the Northwest Regional Library. Details for times and speakers will be located on our website, coralsprings.org.

Hard work. On September 7th we honor and recognize the hard work and contributions of laborers across our country as we celebrate Labor Day. The COVID-19 crisis has made us truly recognize the value of hard-working Americans. We honor, thank, and appreciate every hard-working woman and man that make Coral Springs, the best city to live, work, and raise a family.

On September 15th we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, a month that pays tribute to the positive influences, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. Their history, culture, and successes undeniably enrich our nation and society. Make sure to commemorate this national month by thanking and appreciating Hispanic Americans in our city. We will be featuring city staff and sharing their stories of Hispanic pride on our social media platforms.

Stay tuned and up to date by visiting coralsprings.org, following our social media accounts, and texting the keyword CORALSPRINGS to 888-777 for important updates.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

Summer is officially over, and we are heading into a fall season unlike any before. Broward County has many services available for residents during these uncertain times. Utilize the virtual library or classes through Broward County Libraries, enjoy the outdoors at our Broward County Parks or check out the online events hosted by Broward County’s Cultural Division. Resources are available today for you! In September there are several important deadlines to keep in mind.

The deadlines to complete the 2020 Census and register to vote in the general election are as follows:
Census: September 30th
Register to Vote: October 5th

Being counted in the Census is important to District 3, and your local community. Federal funding for hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and many other services are all determined by the Census. It is quick, safe, easy to fill out, and can be done by visiting Census.gov or calling 844-330-2020. Likewise, registering to vote is the only way you can participate fully in our democracy, and in the upcoming General Election in November. Check out BrowardSOE.org for more information. No matter who or what you support, everyone should have their voices heard on the issues important to you!

Do you have a small business in need of a CARES Act loan? The South Florida Regional Planning Council is administering over $5,000,000 in Economic Development Administration CARES Act Recovery Assistance. Applicants can apply at CARESActRLF. org, and check out information as it comes available. Small businesses, Sole-Proprietors, and 501(c)(3) organizations located within Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, or Monroe County are eligible.

During September we recognize National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Mental health conditions can affect anyone and too often those who are struggling do not receive the support they need. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to Broward County’s suicide prevention helpline by dialing 211. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, and getting assistance is always confidential. During these trying times, #Let’sTalk and continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. It’s important to know you are supported by our community, and we are here for you no matter what.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day. Additionally, for all who celebrate, I would like to wish you and your family a happy Rosh Hashanah and blessed Yom Kippur. While we may not be able to gather with family, friends, and our community like in previous years, I hope that you have a special holiday.

• Email: mudine@broward.org
• Phone: (954)357-7003
• Facebook: @CommissionerMichaelUdine
• Twitter and Instagram: @MichaelUdine

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

Dear Friends!
As we enter the most active part of the hurricane season, I urge everyone to be prepared. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average storm season with nearly twice as many named storms as previous seasons.

While our state continues to deal with the impacts of COVID- 19, please take the steps now to ensure your family’s safety. Review your emergency plans and storm evacuation zones and learn what needs to be done in case of an emergency. To find hurricane preparation resources such as emergency numbers, hurricane shelters, and more, please visit Deutch. House.Gov/Hurricane.

The ‘‘Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act” is a bipartisan bill I introduced with Reps. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Ted Lieu (CA-33), and Michael Waltz (FL-06). The bill would strengthen the United States
government recovery efforts of American hostages abroad.

I joined Rep. David Trone (MD-06) in reintroducing the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, legislation that would assemble a commission of experts with experience in law enforcement, court administration, victims’ rights, civil rights, and social services to conduct a complete review of all facets of our criminal justice system. The bill comes after the House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in July, which included unprecedented reforms to transform the culture of policing by curbing police brutality, ending racial profiling, and increasing transparency and accountability.

Our community has been met with many challenges this
year, but together we will be able to get through them. As
always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if we
can be of any assistance.

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Holocaust education bill signed into law

Learning about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism is the new norm for school-age kids in Florida public schools.

A new bill, H.B.1213, was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 27, which directs public schools to teach about anti-Semitism during Holocaust instruction and requires the Florida Department of Education to give schools curriculum standards for teaching the subject in grades K-12.

The department would be required to create a process for schools to annually certify and provide evidence of compliance with the Holocaust instructional requirements.

This bill, introduced by Rep. Randy Fine, (R-Brevard County) and Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation), is the result of an incident in April 2018, when then-principal of the Spanish River Community High School in Boca Raton, William Latson, wrote in an email to a parent, “Not everyone believes the Holocaust happened.”

In a community with many Jewish residents and an estimated 12,000 actual Holocaust survivors residing in Palm Beach County, this statement caused an uproar and a call to action. One-third of Americans do not believe that six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust and two-thirds of Millennials don’t know what Auschwitz is.

“I couldn’t be happier that this bill was signed,” said Book from home where she is quarantining due to COVID-19. “It’s about ensuring there is consistency in Holocaust education.”

The legislation took effect on July 1. According to multiple sources, including a spokesperson from Senator Book’s office and a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County School District, the curriculum is mandatory and not elective. No one will be permitted to “opt-out.”

In Broward County, Daniel Gohl, Chief Academic Officer, says: “Instruction is embedded in our core curriculum and, therefore, all students receive the instruction.”

Book brought Czechoslovakian-born Magdalen Bader, an Auschwitz survivor who was nine when the war broke out, to testify in front of the committee in Tallahassee for 45 minutes about her travails under Nazi rule and says, “Her testimony was so powerful. You could hear a pin drop; there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”

“One of the lessons is: Don’t be a bystander,” says Book. “Use your voice. Don’t sit quietly by; this is something we need to ingrain early in our students’ education.”

Fine, the only Jewish member of the Florida House of Representatives said the bill is critical to not only teach about the Holocaust but to teach the definition of anti-Semitism. “This will take the law to the next level,” he said.

 

The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), will be taught in a manner that leads to an investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity
in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting democratic values and institutions, including the policy, definition, and historical
and current examples of anti-Semitism and the prevention of anti-Semitism.

H.B.1213

 

Each school district must annually certify and provide evidence to the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, that the requirements of this paragraph are met.

Also included in the bill is an amendment introduced by Sen. Randolph Bracy (D-Ocoee) to include the teaching of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Riots, which annihilated the black population near Orlando due to outrage over a black man – Julius “July” Perry, attempting to exercise his legal right to vote in a presidential election. Ku Klux Klan members rioted and burned black-owned businesses and residences to the ground. An estimated 30 to 50 black citizens died in the massacre.

“The signing of this legislation will spread the story of the Ocoee Massacre into museum exhibits and classrooms, and will inscribe victims’ names into school buildings and state parks,” Bracy said.

“Now more than ever it is paramount we educate our citizenry about the origins of racial conflict and its manifestations in policies that are anti-black, anti-democratic, and anti-human,” said Bracy. “I am proud to have sponsored this historic piece of legislation and am grateful for Senator Book’s partnership in getting this bill across the finish line.”

Sen. Lauren Book

“Many people, including myself, were unfamiliar with this historical event,” says Book.

 

Local residents herald new bill

Parkland residents of twenty years, Alan and Felice Rosenthal have three sons–Josh, Matt, and Daniel – who have attended Parkland schools, including Park Trails, West Glades, and MSD. They are pleased that the governor has signed this bill into law.

“As the survivors die off, we need to remember their stories,” says Felice Rosenthal, a mom, and former educator. “It’s important to keep their stories alive, even when they won’t be.”

Members of Congregation Kol-Tikvah, their three sons attended religious school and were bar-mitzvahed there. While not overly observant, the Rosenthals say they value being part of a Jewish community.

In 1990, Felice Rosenthal took part in the March of the Living, an annual educational program which brings students from around the world to Poland, where they explore the remnants of the Holocaust.

Her son, Josh, who just graduated from MSD was scheduled to participate last April, but the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Felice Rosenthal remembers meeting many actual survivors and hearing the late Elie Wiesel, himself a survivor of Auschwitz, speak at the concentration camp in Poland and said it has left a lasting impression in her memory.

“Every time I hear a survivor speak about their experiences and how horrendous it was, it gives me chills,” says Felice Rosenthal. “Our kids need to be taught this history and how it happened. It’s not something we can forget.”

“This bill makes it standard for all kids across the state,” says Alan Rosenthal, an estate planning attorney. “With anti-Semitism on the rise, having this mandated in the public schools will be beneficial. As the number of survivors decline, and we lose their first-hand accounts of the Holocaust, this ensures that educators take over and every student will understand what happened and how to prevent it.”

“Having the history of the Holocaust and the definition of anti-Semitism taught together makes this bill more impactful,” says Alan Rosenthal. “We hope the legacy of this bill is a kinder and gentler society.”

Evan Goldman, VP, Community Planning and Government Relations at the Jewish Federation of Broward County, said the Federation has advocated for increased education around anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.

“More than ever, there is a need for high standards in Holocaust education,” says Goldman. “Education is the touchstone to long-lasting community change.”

He’s appreciative of the efforts of The Holocaust Documentation & Education Center (HDEC), which spent time lobbying for the initiative in Tallahassee. The HDEC is devoted to documenting the memory of the Holocaust and educating today’s generation about the dangers of bigotry, hatred and intolerance.

“It was a masterstroke to wrap Holocaust education and anti-Semitism into one bill along with the teaching of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Riots,” says Goldman. “Rep. Randy Fine, Sen. Lauren Book and Sen. Randolph Bracy should be commended for bringing it all together.”

“The bill is important so the next generation understands that anti- Semitism and racism are insidious and simply cannot be tolerated,” Goldman stated. “It’s important that we stand up against hate and intolerance.”

“It’s gratifying to see both the Jewish and black communities united in their response to hatred, in whatever form,” says Goldman. “We are stronger together.”

By Jan Engoren

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Locals want to change names that recall painful past

Eyes widen, and sometimes jaws drop when South Florida resident Dharyl Auguste mentions his city’s name: Plantation. In fact, the name bothers him. To Auguste, the name conjures images of slavery and a terrible period in America’s past. So, Auguste wants to change the name. He has started a petition on change.org, which has netted more than 10,000 signatures and many supportive comments.

“The attention is there, the support is there, and the desire is there,” says Auguste, who has lived in Plantation since 2011. “We’re living through some revolutionary times, and I think we need to get on the right side of history.”

These days, Auguste is hardly alone in his desire to see change. African-American George Floyd’s murder in May by a white police officer in Minneapolis sparked peaceful and violent protests across the country and other parts of the world. That includes Broward County, where at least one person wants to change the county’s name. The county was named for former Florida governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, a segregationist whose statue was removed from the county courthouse in 2017.

In addition, activists have become vocal about their desire to change the names of places and to remove statues which, for them, conjure a painful past. In fact, some changes have already happened.

Auguste, for one, said he’s attracted supporters as well as people who strongly disagree with him. Folks “keep saying
I’m trying to erase history,” Auguste says, adding he hears people reminiscing about fond memories from earlier times in Plantation.

“Changing a name of a city will not change any of those wonderful memories,” he says. “It won’t change relationships they’ve formed here.”

A name change for the city will “spark a renewed faith in our city council and give way for a new history to be told that separates itself from a shameful past,” Auguste wrote on his petition, which he uploaded to change.org. The website bills itself as “the world’s platform for change,” with 369,383,944 “people taking action.”

“We as a country are going through radical changes and I would like to see our beloved town follow suit to other places that are condemning and removing Confederate monuments,” Auguste wrote in his petition. “Plantation and the areas surrounding it are a diverse melting pot that shouldn’t have to carry a reminder of oppression in its namesake. The new name should be voted upon by the people and submitted by the people.”

However, Auguste learned at a recent city council meeting that his petition on change.org is not the legally correct way to bring the issue to voters. Rather, he must obtain signatures from 10 percent of Plantation’s registered voters. City councilman Nick Sortal said that about 65,000 registered voters live in the city, whose population is nearly 100,000. To bring the issue before voters, Auguste would need to obtain 6,500 signatures, according to Sortal, who said he’s not taking a stance on the issue.

“I am very confident that I am going to be able to do that,” Auguste says. But at the moment, he says he’s not comfortable with knocking on people’s doors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, Auguste learned from the city officials that, at the earliest, the city would include his cause on a ballot in 2022.

Auguste, who was born in Haiti, says that watching protests and racist monuments coming down across the world spurred him to start an effort to change Plantation’s name.

“The word just conjures up images of slavery and a terrible period in our nation’s past,” he says. “The city could have a new, beautiful name that really represents our community. [Plantation] is a beautiful place to live, and the name no longer serves us.”

Holly Morgan agrees. She also uploaded a petition to change.org in an effort to change Plantation’s name.

“The name Plantation is synonymous with slavery and all the atrocities that come with it,” she wrote.

Further, the name Plantation “is very offensive and insensitive to people of color whose ancestors endured unspeakable acts on ‘plantations.’ The time has come for the city to change its name to a more welcoming name to embrace the diversity represented within the city.”

Yuval Shott, who commented on Auguste’s petition, was blunter.

“This name [Plantation] is wrong and is a stain on Broward County. About time it’s changed,” Shott wrote. The “History” section on the city’s website does not explain how Plantation got its name. According to an article in Wikipedia, the city’s name stems from the previous part-owner of the land, the Everglades Plantation Company, and their efforts to establish a rice plantation in the area.

How ever the city got its name, some people are apparently OK with the status quo.

“The word ‘Plantation’ means vast with trees and greenery, which is what our city is,” a commenter wrote. “It’s only negative if you let it be. It doesn’t HAVE to be a negative thing.”

The Parklander could not reach Plantation Mayor Lynn Stoner in time for this article.

On a larger scale, some people want the name for Broward County changed. In his petition on change.org, Kyle Hill wrote that the county’s namesake is former Florida Gov. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, which information on the county’s website confirms.

“He’s best remembered for draining and developing parts of the Everglades,” Hill wrote. Broward was Florida’s 19th governor, serving from Jan. 3, 1905 to Jan. 5, 1909. He was a “noted racist, segregationist, and an arms smuggler,” Hill wrote. “In 2017, his statue was removed from the Broward County Courthouse because of his reprehensible views on race. Let’s finish the job and erase his name from the county altogether. Broward County is a minority-majority county with many of its residents either hailing from or having roots in Latin America, the Caribbean, and various diverse regions.”

An Oct. 10, 2017 article in the “Sun Sentinel” carried the headline “‘Racist’ statue of Broward County’s namesake to be removed from courthouse.” Barbara Sharief, who was county mayor at the time, told the newspaper that changing the county’s name was out of the question.

“I don’t even want to go down that road,” she said.

In his petition, which had netted more than 3,600 signatures at press time, Hill wrote that “if many of the residents of Broward County knew the true history of its namesake, I’m sure that they would
be horrified and ashamed. Hoping for change, praying for change, and marching for change are all good things, but at some point, we must be willing to take action.”

Current county officials did not return a call requesting comment. However, on a local T.V. channel in June, Broward County Mayor Dale Holness said that officials, for marketing purposes, have considered changing Broward County’s name to Ft. Lauderdale County.

“Maybe we can benefit in two ways, harmony and healing, and to benefit the brand of Ft. Lauderdale,” Holness said.

Elsewhere in Florida, “J.B.,” started a petition on change.org to change the name of Lee County in Southwest Florida. At press time, 5,681 people signed it.

“One of Southwest Florida’s most prominent counties, Lee County, is named for Civil War Confederate General Robert E. Lee,” J.B. wrote. “It is also home to
the city of Ft. Myers (named after Col. Abraham Myers, quartermaster general of the Confederate States Army).

“It’s time to stop idolizing these Confederate soldiers. Ending racism includes the removal of racist figures, statues, and idols across the south.”

An official with the Daughters of the Confederacy declined to comment.

In his petition, J.B. suggested changing Lee County’s name to Calusa County, honoring the indigenous Calusa tribe of Southwest Florida. In fact, there is a website dedicated to the cause: calusapetition.com. The website represents “the beginnings of a local movement,” according to the wording on the site. It notes that more than 3,000 people have signed a petition to the Florida state government to change the name of Lee County to Calusa County, “in honor of the Native American tribe that lived here for hundreds of years before European settlers arrived.

“The name ‘Lee’ honors a man who led armies into battle in an effort to preserve slavery and racial injustice,” the petition says. “Honoring Robert E. Lee’s legacy is no longer appropriate as we fight for justice and equality for black Americans facing oppression in counties all across the United States.”

Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann agreed during an interview with NBC-2.

“We can take down the pictures, we can have a burning ceremony of the pictures, and we are still Robert E. Lee County,” Mann said during the interview.

Alan Fields, who commented on J.B.’s petition, wrote, “Long overdue. Lee didn’t even visit this area.”

“I say defund all those who want to change history for his or her political gains,” he wrote. “I just can’t believe what’s happening.”

People have called for the removal of Confederate tributes and other statues in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Hollywood officials in late 2017 re-named three Hollywood streets originally named for Confederate commanders. Specifically, the streets previously named for John Bell Hood, Robert E. Lee, and Nathan Bedford Forrest became Hope, Liberty, and Freedom streets.

 

By Aaron Krause

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Parkland Mayor: Christine Hunschofsky

This month in Broward we have elections. Many people have reached out to me trying to understand which elections they are able to vote in and what seats are up and when, so here is some information that I hope will help.

The August 18 election is considered a primary election, but several seats will be decided on this date.

For non-partisan races such as judges and school board, whichever candidate receives more than 50% of total votes cast will be the winner of the race. If no one receives more than 50% of the total votes cast, the two candidates with the most votes will have a runoff in November.

In partisan races, the primary is in August, and the general is in November. If no opposing party candidate or write-in candidate enters the race, the primary is an open primary, and all voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in the race. If there is an opposing party candidate or a write-in candidate in the race, the primary is closed, and only voters with the same party affiliation as the primary candidates can vote in that race. All voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote in all races in November.

What does all this mean? It means you should register to vote, verify your voting information is accurate, and do your homework on candidates and races. Since some races are determined in August and others are determined in November, it is important to vote in every election. Additionally, some municipalities (not Parkland) also have March elections that determine mayor and commission races. Also, you can view a sample ballot online or request a vote by mail ballot by visiting the Supervisor of Elections website at browardsoe.org. The website also has a list of all early voting sites and general election sites. Early voting takes place from August 8-16. Early voting hours are from 11am-7pm Monday through Friday and from 9am-5pm Saturdays and Sunday. Primary Election Day is August 18, and the polls are open from 7am-7pm.

On a separate note, the city manager’s proposed city budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year is now online at cityofparkland.org/budget. Please take the time to review the budget and submit your comments online. Currently, a resident budget workshop is planned for August 12 at 6:00pm and a commission (open to the public) budget workshop is planned for August 19 at 5:00pm. The budget is not final until our two budget hearings in September are completed. The budget hearings are all open to the public. Please always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Saima Farooqui seeks Florida State House seat

Last month, we profiled our local Parkland Mayor Christine Hunschofsky, who is now running for State House Representative for District 96. In the upcoming primary election to select the Democratic nominee. We got feedback post-print from Saima Farooqui, from Coconut Creek, who is also running for the nomination.

Saima first ran for the Democratic nomination in 2018, and lost to late State Representative Kristin Jacobs. I had a chance to talk to her about her motivations for running, and what she is passionate about.

It was a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) dispute that first got Saima started in community service. After winning a court dispute with her HOA on the implementation of rule enforcement, she served on the HOA’s grievance committee to ensure disputes between her HOA and the residents were properly managed.

After her initial experience engaging with the HOA, Saima started to get involved with the local ACLU. She is currently the president of the ACLU Broward chapter, and state board member. She also joined the Democratic Club, where she is currently serving as the VP of the Coconut Creek chapter.

She is passionate about helping those who are less fortunate, and lists healthcare, the environment and unemployment as the top priorities for the state. On school safety, she believes additional mental health services in the budget are key, and feels current gun laws need to be implemented not changed. She also believes more needs to be done by the state on environmental concerns.

You can find out more about on her website: saimafarooqui.com.

By Li Pan

Posted on

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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