Pavilion & Meeting Room Rental at Veterans Park

Veterans Park is offering Pavilion and Meeting Rooms for Rent. Pavilion Rentals for residents are $65 for 4 hours, plus $10/hour thereafter ($50 refendable deposit due) CASH ONLY. Non-residents are $75 for 4 hours, plus $15/hour thereafter. Fourteen days prior notice to date of use is required, and a permit must be submitted to reserve the pavilion.

Meeting Rooms have a similar procedure, however it is $25 for the first 3 hours, plus $10/hour thereafter for residents, and $35 for the first 3 hours, plus $15/hour thereafter for non-residents.

All space is subject to availability. For more information go to Veterans Park, or call: 954-730-2985. Additionally, for more information about the Park Facilities and Programs throughout Lauderhill: http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/dept_pals_facilities.html

Body Mechanics Fitness Training Opens

Notes of Special Commission Meeting of 5/22/06

On May 22, the City Commission conducted a Special Commission Meeting to handle business of the city that could not wait until the Regular Commission Meeting of June 12. The meeting normally scheduled for May 29 was cancelled, due to the its conflict with Memorial Day. Commissioner Margaret Bates was absent. All items passed unanimously.

The following matters of interest were on the agenda:

1) Ordinances for Second Reading:

a) Approved an ordinance restricting the area in which an adult entertainment business can operate. The ordinance sets up a distance requirement between and from/to certain types of other properties. This is in addition to the present restrictions that they cannot locate in any area of the city other than that zoned light industrial. The Supreme Court has previously rules that cities cannot make such zoning requirements so restrictive as to totally prevent such business, which have protection under the First Amendment;


2) Resolutions:

a) Approved 3 resolutions approving the distributions of gas tax monies collected with the county, to reflect populations updates;

b) Approved the change of meeting facilities for the City Commission to the new City Hall, 3800 Inverrary Blvd., first floor, at such time as the facilities are completed. It was hoped that the Regular Commission Meeting of June 12 would be the first meeting at the new facilities. However, it now looks like the meeting room will not be available yet. The next potential meeting at the new City Hall would be the workshop of June 19. Notice will be given as to the move when decided;

c) Approved a Special Exception to Wachovia Bank to operate a free standing bank with drive thru at the site of Inverrary Falls, 5899 W. Oakland Park Blvd. The site was originally Pan American Bank many years ago, and more recently was a funeral home and the Lauderhill Police Station. Wachovia Bank will be closing their other facility 1/4 mile to the east when this opens;

d) Approved a Resolution asking the Broward County Commission to place on the November ballot a question asking voters to authorize a 1 cent sales tax for transportation and transit.

Mayor Hires Aide

The City Commission unanimously approved last month the hiring of part time Aides for the Commissioners and Mayor. The position will greatly assist your elected officials in researching, responding, organizing events, among numerous other tasks assign to them. Some Aides may be attending events on behalf of an elected official when the inevitable conflicts within a schedule occur.

Most of the Commissioners have already hired their Aide, and recently Mayor Richard J. Kaplan, hired Clark Stephens as the Mayor's Aide. Clark is working towards his Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from FAU, and holds a 3.79 GPA. He is also working as a Research Assistant with the Collins Research Center, handling numerous tasks, including assisting in creating a list of Community Development Centers to assist people with affordable housing initiatives, and performing analysis of the housing market in South Florida.

The Mayor is expecting to assign to Clark several projects, including two year end special events, working on developing a Community Land Trust, and a long range plan to secure an international festival to be headquartered at the new Central Lauderhill Regional Park.

For now, communications will be through Mayor Kaplan, though eventually, residents will be in direct communication with Clark on their issues when assigned by the Mayor to help expedite matters.

Are You OK?

The City of Lauderhill, North Broward Hospital District Senior Services, and Forest Trace at Inverrary, want to know:



Do you live alone?
Are you disabled?
Do you have concerns?
Do you want reassurance?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be eligible for a new free service called "Are You OK? Program." This is a telephone reassurance program, where volunteers will contact you on a regular basis, to make sure you are OK.

To participate, contact the Lauderhill's Health and Social Services Department at 954-321-2450, or pick up one of the forms found at our Lauderhill Community Center Facilities, and fill out the information requested. We are also always looking for more volunteers if you know of anyone interested.

Tae Kwon Do Lessons

Classes for children and adults, group or private lessons, are available at Veterans Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lessons are held from 6:45 to 7:30 PM for Children, and Adults are from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. For more information you can contact Tony Dodd, WTF Certified 5th Degree Black Belt at 954-785-3357.

Hurricane Season Begins

From June 1 until Nov 1 the Hurricane Season will be upon us. This does not mean that we can expect a hurricane on June 1. Nor does it mean we couldn't get a hurricane except during the season. Hurricanes are unpredictable, and the purpose of the season is to advise when hurricanes are most likely to occur.

During this season, the height of the chance of a hurricane is late July through the beginning of October. Hurricane Andrew was in late August, however, Hurricane Wilma was October 24. Having a recognition for these weather matters is to cause the public to take action and become prepared.

It is clearly understood that repairs are still not complete from last year. Still we can take reasonable steps to make sure damage is minimized, and that we can survive during difficult times. From May 21 through June 1, we shall be enjoying a sales tax holiday on hurricane supplies. Take advantage of it. Purchase a generator, tarps, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, radios, or whatever you may need as approved under the guidelines. Remember, it is much easier to get it now, then later when everyone wants it because of an impeding storm approaching.

If you are leaving the area, make sure you know what you will need, and where you are going, before getting on the road. Remember, roads will be clogged with a lot of people thinking the same way you may be. Have a written plan for securing your premises. Keep tune to news that is put out by the general media, as well as the city.

During such times I will activate my Emergency E-mail System, and send messages to anyone who has supplied me with their e-mail. To get on the list, just e-mail me at: rkaplan@lauderhill-fl.gov. Also, I will be using this BLOG to submit stories that you may find useful. Finally, we hope to have a low wattage AM radio station in place to broadcast emergencies.

In the last few months, Lauderhill has taken numerous steps to try and address where we can make improvements. Not all of these steps are complete, but we are working to get as many of them in place as possible. At the same time, we are working to put up walls and fences where we can. You may have noticed the process in several areas. Our understanding is that it will not take that long to put up the walls from this point. We do expect them to be done this year, except for Pine Island Road. There we have put up new wood fences until such time we can resolve the issues for the road.

Remember, be prepared today. Not tomorrow when it could be too late.

1 Cent For Transportation

Different organizations around Broward County are working towards addressing our transportation difficulties. Year after year, traffic problems grow worse, gas prices increase, and it takes longer to get to where you want to go. Last year gas prices were just over $2/gallon. Right now they are about $3. It is expect before long they will be at $4/gallon, with no end in sight. This impacts our ability to earn a living, and hurts our quality of life.

At the same time the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization and others have worked together to come up with answers to solve our situation. The problem with these answers is that the designed transportation improvements and transit options are unfunded, and cannot be built without these needed funds. This unfunded amount is over $10 Billion. Without the necessary money to pay for these plans, Broward County will continue to suffer from its transportation woes.

That is why many groups are proposing to implement a 1 cent sales tax increase to fund transportation and transit needs. This money, about $260 million/year locally, will go towards new mass transit lines throughout the county, including light rail. It will pay for such items as new roads, bike lanes, greenways, and Community Shuttle Buses. If electrical lines are along roads, it may even pay for the burial of those lines.

By having a dedicated source of revenue, it will also qualify us for matching federal and state funds to help pay for a great part of the costs. Something we cannot draw upon, though numerous communities throughout the U.S. can, because they have met the challenge and provided this dedicated source. This funding is so badly needed that there remains no other reasonable alternative to help meet our transportation shortfall.

However, to impose such a increase requires two steps. The first requires the Broward County Commissioners to vote to give you the right to decide this for yourself by referendum. Then you the voters must approve it this November.

If you are interested in helping address our transportation and transit shortfall, please contact your County Commissioner, and express yourself. Ask them to give you the right to vote on such an important issue. Each Commissioner's phone number starts with: 954-357-700_. The last digit is their District, 1 through 9. You may also wish to e-mail them. To obtain their e-mail address check with: www.broward.org.

Summer Softball League at Sports Park

The City of Lauderhill Announces Summer Softball League at the Sports Park
The City of Lauderhill Parks and Leisure Services Department announces its Summer Softball League. The league will take place at the Lauderhill Sports Park, conveniently located at 7500 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, just east of University Drive.

The league is open to men’s recreational teams with players ages 18 and older. The league will begin in mid-June and games will be played on Monday and/or Wednesday nights. The league entry fee is $350 per team and prizes will be awarded for top regular season and playoff finishers.

The league has limited spaces available, so please contact Brian Picinic at 954-572-1478, for more information or to register a team. Registrations are reserved on a first-come, first served basis.

Job Fair for Teens

WorkForce One and Jobing.com are bring together top employers in South Florida to hire 18 to 21 year olds for summer or career jobs. In order to attend the job fair, you MUST pre-register and attend an interviewing workshop. Call your closest WorkForce One Center for more details and to register.

Workshops begin May 15, and the Job Fair is June 1. Call Pompano Beach - 954-969-3541; Ft. Lauderdale - 954-677-5555; and Hollywood - 954-967-1010

Lauderhill Summer Camp 2006

Though applications have been taken for this summer's camp program, you may be able to inquire if any spaces remain available. Camp runs from June 5 through July 21 (no camp on July 4), and children must have completed Kindergarten through 6th Grade, or be 5 to 12 years old. Sorry No-Pre K. For more information on availablility, contact Veterans Park at 954-572-1459, or Sadkin Community Center at 954-321-2450 M-F after 5 PM.

CASA Soccer Finals at Lauderhill Sports Park

On Saturday, May 20, at the Lauderhill Sports Park will be played the consolation game, and Finals for this year's CASA Soccer League. The finals are between our own Lauderhill Lions and a very good Western United. The consolation game will begin at 6, and the finals are expected to begin at 8 PM. The Sports Park is located on Oakland Park Blvd., just east of University Drive.

Funding For Education Programs

The City of Lauderhill has taken the unusual step of allocating $100,000 of CDBG Funds to help address our educational needs. These monies will be used to provide grants in a variety of areas. Each area is being established by the City Commission, with the valuable counsel of the Lauderhill Educational Advisory Board.

Prior funding were approved to help pay for FCAT study at Larkdale Elementary and a neighborhood program in St. George. Funds were also used for the much appreciated "Teachers Reimbursement Grant Program."

Presently, additional categories are being developed to allow opportunities for schools and groups to receive the necessary funds to carry out vital educational activities. Some areas being created are geared towards School Improvement Grants, After-School and Summer Enhancement Programs, and Childcare Funding Grants.

It is expected that from this work a comprehensive approach will develop to have a major impact on our community, and will help all of our schools earn an "A" rating.

Roberta Flack To Perform At Blazzfest

The City of Lauderhill is pleased to announce that Roberta Flack will be this year's headliner at Lauderhill's Annual Blazzfest. Joining Roberta Flack for that evenings performance will be Ruby Baker and others, to be held on June 3, starting at 4 PM until 11 PM.

The event will be conducted at the Lauderhill Sports Park on Oakland Park Blvd., and tickets will be $10 (children with parent/guardian are free). Tickets are available for purchase at Veterans Park, St. George Community Center, West Ken Lark Park, Sadkin Community Center, at the site of our temporary City Hall on Oakland Park Blvd., and the Finance Center at the site of the new City Hall at 3800 Inverrary Blvd. Tickets can also be purchased on line below.


It is recommended that those in attendance bring blankets and/or chairs. More information is available at www.blazzfest.com or call 954-730-4218. Sponsors and vendors are also welcome, and the application form is posted on the web site.

Notes of the Commission Meeting of 4/24/06

The following items of interest were acted upon at the Commission Meeting of April 24:

1) Passed on First Reading:

a) Repeal and put into effect a new ordinance requiring occupational licenses on residential rental units, including requiring inspections;
b) Six month budget adjustment review;
c) Modified the water/sewer billing cycle to monthly.

2) Passed Resolutions:

a) To request Broward County to complete the improvements at St. George Park;
b) Entered into a lease agreement for a shuttle bus to operate the new shuttle service in St. George, West Ken Lark and Broward Estate areas;
c) To purchase the Old Publix on Oakland Park Blvd. as a new site for Lauderhill's new City Hall to be constructed;
d) Approved the contract for Roberta Flack to perform at this years Blazzfest on June 3;
e) Opposing Broward County from purchasing the Lauderhill Mall (subsequently the county has withdrawn its interest in purchasing);
f) Approving a change order for the NW 56th Ave. reconstruction project, to provide for a reconfiguration required by Broward County;
g) Approved the establishment of the new AM radio station for Lauderhill, to be used for emergency and city purposes;
h) Cancelled May 29th commission meeting, since it conflicts with Memorial Day;
i) Scheduled a Special Commission Meeting at 5 PM on May 22, at the Police Station, to cover certain matters that need action by the Commission, and could not wait until the regular Commission Meeting in June (since the May 29th meeting was cancelled).

Martin Luther King III To Speak At MLK Event

Martin Luther King III will be speaking at Lauderhill's Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Jan. 13, 2007, according to city officials. King, the eldest son of the slain civil rights leader, is the former head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

He will speak at the Lauderhill Unit of the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, 1900 Boys & Girls Club Drive earlier in the day. That evening he will also speak at a semi-formal dinner that evening at Diamante's Banquet Center, 6501 W. Commercial Blvd., Lauderhill. Ticket prices have not been determined.

Prior year speakers have included James Earl Jones, Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee, Spike Lee, Ambassador Andrew Young, Judge Greg Mathias, and Harry Bellafonte. As usual, it is expected to be another sell out evening. When tickets go on sale, it is recommended that purchases are made early.

For more information, call 954-730-3085.

White House Internship Program Seeks Applicants

The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service. We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program. In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, hold United States citizenship, and be enrolled in a college or university. We hope you will explore our White House Intern Website for additional information at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html

To apply, read and complete the White House Intern Application. A strong application includes the following:

1) sound academic credentials
2) story of community involvement and leadership
3) solid verbal/written communication skills
4) demonstrated interest in public service

Completed application materials must be submitted to Karen Race, Deputy Director and Intern Coordinator in the office of White House Personnel, at prior intern_application@whitehouse.gov to the following deadlines:

Applications due June 16, 2006 for FALL 2006 term (September 5 to December 15, 2006)
Applications due October 13, 2006 for SPRING 2007 term (January 9 to May 11, 2007)

If you have questions you may contact Karen Race by phone, (202) 456-5979 or by e-mail, intern_application@whitehouse.gov

We look forward to hearing from you.

Local Runner Makes Cover of Magazine

Josh Wimbley, a Piper High School sprinter, is featured on the April 2006 SCHOOL SPORTS SOUTH FLORIDA Magazine cover. Josh originally started running at 8, and learned his craft through the City of Lauderhill Track Club, run by Ted Beverly (also head track coach at Piper).

His successes in school include his Class 4A state champion in the 400 meters, and he was state runner-up in the 200. All of this while maintaining a straight-A average.

As a senior, he is now looking forward to college, for which he is being heavily recruited. His choices have been narrowed to University of Miami, Florida State University and the University of Texas at El Paso.