Friday, December 29, 2006

Legal Services Available for Low-Income Floridians

On January 1, 2007, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) a private, non-profit corporation established by Congress in 1974 will award grants to various agencies across the state of Florida to provide economical, high-quality civil legal services to eligible low-income Floridians. Legal Services Corporation aims to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it.

Legal representation can be a very costly expense. Below you will find a listing of potential recipients of the grant dollars along with the estimated award amount and contact information.

Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. $3,191,485; (305) 576-0080
Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. $1,310,486; (850) 385-9007
Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. $1,614,127; (321) 372-0519; (386) 752-5960; (904) 394-7450
Jacksonville Legal Clinic $1,614,127; (904) 725-6870
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida $2,786,259; www.cfls.org
Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. 2,364,153; (813) 232-1343
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. $3,296,255; www.frls.org
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, Inc. $1,673,455; (954) 736-2400

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Lauderhill Lions Pee Wee A-65 lbs team Wins Superbowl


The Lauderhill Lions Pee Wee A - 65 LB team, led by Coach Jerry Kelly, captured the South Florida Youth Football League Super Bowl Championship by defeating the Boynton Beach Bulldogs by a score of 7 to 0 at Everglades High School on Saturday, December 2nd. The Lauderhill Lions lost their first regular seaon game, but then marched to fifteen consecutive victories!

WAY TO GO LAUDERHILL LIONS!

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Complex for Education, Heritage & Preservation


The announcement that Bobby Jones was moving his Gospel Complex for Education, Heritage & Preservation to Lauderhill earlier this week caught the City of Lauderhill by surprise. Though the letter sent to the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the newspapers articles stated, that there was an invitation and offer from Lauderhill, no such invitation or offer has ever been made. At least not from the Administration or Commission of the city.

Only very recently has Bobby Jones' organization sat down with city administration officials to discuss the possibility. Presumably, more discussion will follow, and the Commission will meet in January to discuss it. It is unknown what Lauderhill may be asked to offer, or what they are proposing. It is unknown if they are asking any more than permission to develop in Lauderhill. The site selected is privately held, and if properly zoned, then a for profit venture has the ability to pursue its prospects of development without necessarily needing Commission approval.

The possibility of the facility only adds to the evidence of economic upturn in the 441 corridor in Lauderhill, along with Carrishoca, TapTap City, new County Regional Park, Georgetown, plans for redevelopment of the Lauderhill Mall, other proposed residential communities, and the redevelopment of the MacArthur Dairy site. At this point it appears that over $300,000,000 in new construction will be taking place.

While no decision has been made, because no proposals have been discussed, the opportunity of the facility in Lauderhill could be another significant boost to the area. As more information becomes available, more will be reported.

For a look at what the Dr. Bobby Jones had proposed for Ft. Lauderdale, use the following links: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:CqZWCrVUsRsJ:www.gospelindustryretreat.com/gospelcomplex.htm+%22Gospel+Complex+for+Education,+Heritage+%26+Preservation%22&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1, and www.gospelcomplex.org.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Notes of the Commission Meeting of December 11

The Commission met and the following is the highlights of interest from the meeting:

PRESENTATIONS:

1) Presentation by the organizers of a Toy Drive held at the Lauderhill Mall for the children of Lauderhill

2) Presentation of TAP TAP City for a proposed 31 story $107 million Arts & Cultural Center at the site of Carrishoca. A fuller presentation and discussion was presented at a Special Workshop scheduled on Dec. 12 at 2 PM

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Approved an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement concerning the development and construction of the Central Broward Regional Park. The amendment was agreed to after negotiations between the county and city to help with the development and costs of the park.

2) Approved distribution of funds for educational grants as recommended by the Lauderhill Educational Advisory Board.

3) Approved an Interlocal Agreement between the county and Lauderhill as to the construction, maintenance and operation of the Cultural Arts Facility located at the Central Broward Regional Park, by Lauderhill.

4) Approved the re-appointment of Harriet Schulman and Pamela Brooks-Thomas to the Civil Service Board.

5) Approved an Agreement between Lauderhill and the Manors of Inverrary for local traffic control and public safety within the association.

6) Approved the donation of $2500 from the Police Crime Forfeiture Fund for the MLK celebration festivities.

7) Approved a resolution advising all persons applying for development orders and permits of a Notice of Zoning in Progress, for a period of 2 years. This impacts all uses and development within the newly annexed areas of St. George, West Ken Lark, the Swap Shop and Broward Estates.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Lauderhill Police Update


Chief, Officers responded to 8710 N.W. 45th Court based on a fax received by the State of California, Department of Justice in regards to listed subject. There was an Extradition Warrant on Mr. Ablaza D.O.B. 04/07/59 ($25,000 Bail) for failure to register as a sexual offender. Mr. Ablaza has an extensive past (sexually assaulted a female and attempted to stab officers with a knife, assault with a deadly weapon, several charges of failing to register as a habitual sexual offender, etc.) It is possible that Mr. Ablaza has been living in Broward County for 5 years. Recent Intel was received that Mr. Ablaza got married and has been residing in Lauderhill for several months. Officers were able to make contact with the subject and take him into custody without incident.

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Our Officers responded to a Burglary in progress at Phil Smith Chev earlier this month. A perimeter was established and Plantation Police assisted with three K-9. One suspect was apprehended by their K- 9 and received a bite. Another adult and juvenile were also arrested. Detectives Smith and Parmalee responded.

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Two detectives were sent to South Carolina to locate and arrest a person for armed car jacking from our city. The detectives were successful. The incident happened in late October by Castle Gardens. One of the home owner's presidents was stopped at gunpoint, his wallet taken, along with his vehicle. The vehicle was found two days later in Ft. Lauderdale.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Friday, December 15, 2006

Judo Lessons


Mike Cobb, an 8th Degree Black Belt, provides Judo lessons at Veterans Park. Classes are conducted on Monday and Wednesday, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Registration is $25.00, and Monthly fee is $50.00. For more information call: 954-473-9679.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Tap Tap City

At a Special Commission Workshop, a presentation of Tap Tap City was presented. This 31 story, $107 million dollar facility would be located at Carrishoca (Sunrise Blvd. and 441). Tap Tap City is a Arts & Cultural Facility. It would include a theatre, banquet facility, artist residence and studio, museum, botanical garden, sports playground, among other amenities.

The cost would primarily be financed through a loan, though a substantial portion will be secure by investors. Tap Tap City is a not for profit entity and is in conjunction with artist facilities in France.

The Commission is excited about the prospects but has asked the city administration to thoroughly review and advise of the feasibility of the project. Also, that other potential alternatives would likewise be considered. It is hoped that some responses will be available over the next month or two, so that a preliminary decision can be made as to whether support for the facility is obtained.

For more information, including a movie clip of the facilities are at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f__IZCvhoE

Monday, December 11, 2006

Grants

Good news on Grants the City of Lauderhill has recently obtained. They are:

1) Cultural Facilities Grant to renovate Old City Hall $265,000
2) Broward Beautiful Grants: Greenshade Grant, 82nd Ave., 42nd Way, NW 8 Street, 56th Ave., Golf Park Entrance, and Renaissance Park 55th Ave.
3) COPS Universal Hiring - Police $375,000
4) Bureau of Justice Assistance - Police Crime Prevention $31,214
5) Florida Victim of Crimes Grant - Police $44,440
6) Bureau of Justice Assistance - Police Bulletproof Vests $3,900
7) Community Development Block Grant - Police Athletic League $10,000

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Southeast Homeowner Associations Are On The Web

Each of the three newly annexed areas into the City of Lauderhill, which is referred to the Southeast Section of the city have created a web site. Each of these associations are in different stages in the developmental process of creating their web site. The following is a list of those sites:

St. George Civic Association web site is: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/lauderhill/saintgeorge

Broward Estates Civic Association web site is: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/lauderhill/browardestates/

West Ken Lark Homeowner's Association web site is: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/lauderhill/wklhoa/

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Notes of the Commission Meeting of November 27th

The Commission met at its Regular Commission Meeting, and the following matters of interest are presented here:

FIRST READING:

1) Modified late fees becoming applicable on deliquent water and sewer bills from 30 days to 25 days, and modifying conditions to waive penalties so that a customer may have a better opportunity to qualify for penalty waiver.

SECOND READING:

1) Granting Peoples Gas System a non-exclusive natural gas franchise.

2) Modifying tree canopy and pervious area required so that it requires an 18% tree canopy within 24 months of planting, requiring pervious area to be a minimum of 30%, and allowing "Green" roofs to count double towards meeting the pervious area standard.

3) Increasing sidewalk widths.

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Re-appointed Will Garlick to the Lauderhill Housing Authority.

2) Awarding a contract to Mills Electric Service to install an emergency 600kw generator at the police department.

NEW BUSINESS:

1) Cancelled the regular workshop of Dec. 18 and the regular Commission Meeting of Dec. 25, due to the holiday season.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Schools Out Programs

The City of Lauderhill will be providing its Winter Break Camp (December 22 (1/2 day), 26-29, and January 2-5 and 8) and Springs Break Camps (April 2-6). Registration is on a first come, first serve basis for children in grades K-6 only. Winter Camp session is $160 for residents and $190 for non-residents. Springs Camp is $80 for residents and $95 for non-residents. Program hours are 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Field trips and lunch are included in the fees.

For more information and check availability contact Veterans' Park at 954-572-1459, and Sadkin Center at 954-321-2450.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Notes of Commission Workshop of November 20

The following are some of the discussions from the Regular Workshop of November 20:

1) Education Grant Program - we met with the Educational Advisory Board members to discuss allocation of the $100,000 education grant program created by the City Commission. Specifically as to a request for Boyd Anderson High School on a matching grant.

2) Lobbyist Agreement - a report was given on costs and success of federal lobbyist for the city. To date, we have not been successful in obtain federal grants, though there are some items still in the hopper. The question was then asked whether to continue the federal lobbyist contract. Consensus was to continue with a federal lobbyist, but that the City Manager should examine the possibility of hiring a different lobbyist.

3) Lauderhill Housing Authority - a report was given concerning the process of having our housing authority certified so that we can get control of the housing vouchers in our city. Since we have been unsuccessful due to the Miami HUD office refusal to certify, we are proceeding with litigation to complete the certification process. Also, the Authority is creating a Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

4) Update on GO Bond - a presentation was given showing the status of each project, with the cost estimates. The list shows the changes in costs each of the projects have incurred.

5) Financing City Hall - alternative forms of financing the cost of building the new city hall. The preference was to seek Third Party Financing, which would not be treated as debt of the city. Also being considered is obtaining financing through a Certificate of Participation.

Friday, December 01, 2006

WorkForce One and the City of Lauderhill - Partner to Strengthen Our Community

A “Hiring Showcase” – Lauderhill is Open to All Looking for Training and Employment Opportunities

WorkForce One and the City of Lauderhill are partnering for the Hiring Showcase – Lauderhill Employment and Training Event - scheduled for December 5, 2006, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Sadkin Community Center. (1176 NW 42nd Way, Lauderhill, 954/321-2450)

Entrance to the event is FREE. Over 50 employers and ten training providers will be on hand to present employment opportunities of all types and levels. Information about respective training and educational programs will also be available.

Jobseekers should come prepared with a resume and wearing appropriate interview attire. Many employers will conduct interviews on the spot and jobseekers could possibly leave the event with an offer in hand.

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About WorkForce One
WorkForce One provides a variety of services to businesses and jobseekers in Broward County delivered through three main centers and several satellite offices located throughout the county. Jobseeker assistance includes access to the largest jobs information system, job placement and access to resource centers for help with employment-related needs. Business services include recruitment and placement assistance, applicant screening and testing and information about available tax credits.